Sent an urgent package 5 days ago with MBE/DHL - kept trying to track it - not in the system. Turns out that the package wasn't sent. Finally tracked to the DHL office in the city.

When I called MBE/DHL in San Pedro Rob told me that if I have a problem with a package I need to take it up with the office in the city. I retorted that I PAID HIM the money and I ENTRUSTED HIM with the package. You can't take people's money and state that you provide a courier service and then blow them off when you haven't delivered the service. I demanded my money back and he stated that he only makes about $5 per package. I don't really care what he makes - he is the agent, it was his job to send the package. I have been let down and I am not happy. And to round things off - he hung up on me.

DON'T USE THEIR SERVICES IF YOU ACTUALLY EXPECT TO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

I usually use FEDEX with Tropic Air - great service. But there isn't a FEDEX office close to where I wanted the package to be delivered.

The one and only other time I used MBE/DHL it took 10 days to courier the package to Mexico.

I have had many many problems in the past with DHL agents on the island - non-delivery of packages, mistaken deliveries - they even held up packages for ransom.

Do yourself a favour - use FEDEX.

I have no affiliation with FEDEX, but it definitely provides a better service.

Update - called the office in the city. Spoke to 4 different people throughout the day - each of them didn't know what I was talking about. Eventually when I tried to wrestle my package back into my hands I was told it was enroute to the airport and would be leaving today.

Vague apology for inconvenience. Managers and supervisors will be in next week. I was told to call back then! Nice.

I have a standing order with my suppliers to not use DHL.
Fed X works and they are professional about it.
Its been that way for years.

DHL------
I paid $35 US to get my package out of ransom after the freight had already been paid in the States to ship the package all the way to me. The item originally cost $35.00 US including the freight. Big rip off. I was told the $35 US was to deliver it from Belize City to San pedro.

Question: Have any of you locals who live in SP had someone send a package down to you from the U.S. using FedEx delivered to Tropic Air? If so, any problems? Or, what other reliable methods are availalble/recommended for shipping a package or mailing envelope to someone in Belize from the U.S?

I once sent a package through regular mail to a friend in Bocas, Panama. It was a Christmas gift with all kinds of treats and snacks. The U.S. Postal service told me about 2 weeks for delivery. Almost 4 months went by and I wrote it off as lost or stolen by some hungry official. I then received a call that he got it, everything intact. We laughed a lot about that!

The only problem I've had with FedEx is them not calling you when a package arrives and is being held for customs clearance.

The mail service here usually works well, both coming and going. Although, last year we got four Christmas cards in July. Still trying to determine if they were six months early or six months late!

I hear ya scubawalk, but the post office has been working great for me this year with suppliers sending packages and my paying duty right here in san Pedro.
Again DHL is a rip off the charged me 10.us extra the last time someone sent me something DHL just because i lived on this side of the bridge.
I had to pay it or not get my package.

Fed Ex is by far the better for documents. Pickup at Tropic is fine. The customs thing can be a real pain so would suggest a different mode of shipping if you send something into Belize that will need to clear customs.

I have not liked using DHL at all.

I use these services too rarely to have much of a view on them, but my limited history is of success with FedEx and failure with DHL. Thanks for the heads up, Amanda. There's another freight service I've had dreadful results with, and when I think of the name I'll post it as a warning to others.

I have my office in the States Fed-Ex my forwarded mail and other stuff down here every week. Dianne of Quicksilver picks them up and delivers to the door. No problem. Another nice thing is that you can track the package via the internet. The only problem I ever had was a package held up for ransom by Customs.

Yea ,I use Diane also shes so helpful it feels like having an extra employee.
...and we use one of her mailboxes for drop and deliver, it makes things run smoother.

In the past I have dealt only with documents using FedEx and everything I shipped I shipped via ship with broker in Belize City. If I want to ship something fairly small, say a shower head and flexible arm, what would be the best way to go about that. I mean of course from the US to San Pedro. Where do you pay customs? How is that handled? Thanks, for your help.

Right at the post office. You can send the package via regular mail or USPS express mail (3 days usually) and the post master is authorized to assess and collect the duty right at the post office. If you include the invoice - no problem with the assessment - if you don't include the invoice then there could be some discussion about the value - the post office and customs department tend to go by the book value - what they find on the internet. Regardless of what you may have paid for an item, sometimes the book value is the factor that will be taken into account. This is where the broker typically helps smooth out discrepancies. And you won't have the advantage of a broker if you send your package via the post office.

Sometimes a value is written on a gift package and you are assessed based on the gift value - you can sometime negotiate the values if you open the package in front of the post master and prove that items are maybe home made or obviously 2nd hand etc.

Amanda please forgive me if I am being thick but the post office that collects the duty is the US post office or the post office on AC when I pick the parcel up? I assume it must be in Belize where this happens and I suppose that I would address the parcel to myself at the San Pedro post office?
Thanks, Martin

It's a Belize tax, so clearly it's charged in Belize. The postmaster at the office here in San Pedro assesses it and makes the charge. IMO generally he's more generous than the people who assess incoming courier packages,

I agree, the Brokers ,of course get a fee and their assessment is generally higher.
IMHO Customs Brokers are a racket.

But you try to bring in goods in commercial quantities via either the international airport or the sea port without using a broker. They make it well nigh impossible, and require that you use a broker - who are of course their personal friends.

That's right gentlemen. It is at the San Pedro post office that the duty will be assessed and typically I have found them to be a little less expensive than the customs officers at the entry ports. However there are some shipments the post office can't receive - I don't know what they are but certain items that require permits will be held at the border to be cleared by a customs broker.

The initial question regarded a small plumbing fitting which I believe should be easily received at the San Pedro Post office.

Also any thing that comes in that is valued at 500 Bze or more is taken to Customs to pay duty then bring paperwork back to PO and they will release the item.

Hello I will be in San Pedro in a few days ......
I have a bike at my sisters house that I want her to ship down.....after I get there ........the bike is worh about $1,000us ......do i just have it shipped to the post office in san pedro......and pay the duty there?????

I'd consider first whether you really want the bike here. The sand and salt will destroy it very quickly, and any bike like that will be targetted by thieves. I also have expensive bikes at home, and I made the decision not to bring them here.

That said, I think a bicycle may be too large to be handled by the Post Office, though I'm open to correction on that. Perhaps you should think of one of the couriers.

Ossumt, Unless it's made out of excellant quality Stainless Steel and comes with a security guard, Leave it at home and buy one on the Island for around $125.00 US.

Also Make sure you bring a good quality thick Stainless Steel cable & lock with you.

i agree. Just buy an inexpensive "beach cruiser" when you get there.

buy lots of them, they get stolen often!

If you're moving here for good bring it with you or sell it. You will need to ship it though. Hyde Shipping in Medley FL is one option but there are a couple of others. You will need a broker too. I brought mine worth the same sort of money - had it nine years and it's still working fine and nobody has stolen it either.

I've never seen you use it, Phil. If it stays locked up indoors of course no-one will steal it!

I see Phil on his bike with his tennis racket strapped to his back most days.

Awww...now you've ruined Peter Jones day.

Thank you....the reason i bought the bike is for the island.......It is a unique bike it is all aluminum 7 speed....and it has an electric motor in the center of the rear wheel ......it was built so it can be rode in the wet humid weather.....Also I plan on renting a house and keeping it inside when not in use ..........I have been to alot of places and have decided to make San Pedro my new home as far as some one steeling it i dont think they can hide this bike it will be the only one on the island like it ......but I will get a big lock

OK. Make sure the chain is rustless of some variety - the best I've seen are not stainless steel but heavily nickel electro-plated. You won't get a decent chain here - bring it with you, plus a spare. And the cables need to be rustless and teflon lined so that they both resist destruction by the salt water that they will be exposed to AND have no lubricants to attract sand. Only you know how durable the electrics and battery will be. As to locks, you need a motorcycle cable lock. It'll be heavy and bulky, but you'll need something that can't be cut with bolt cutters and which secures both wheels and the frame to a fixed object. And that's just during the day when you're out and about - at night it should be locked up indoors.

If it has rim brakes (as opposed to disk or drum) you'll find the sand and salt erodes the blocks very quickly - bring several sets. And bring a comprehensive tool set so you can do anything needed to it. I wouldn't rely on either buying suitable tools here or finding someone who can competently work on it.

All these issues are why I haven't brought my expensive mountain bikes here, though I'd love to use them here. I have two, and the cheaper one cost about US$4k.

Doesn't trouble me much, Jesse. Though now Amanda says it, I think I do remember seeing Phil on a bike with a tennis racket.

Ok thank you for all of the information it has been helpful ......and I cant wait to sit on the beach for the next 40yrs and die with my ass in the sand and a beikin in my hand lol

Sounds like a great plan ossumt.