How easy would it be to shop via Internet and have it shipped to Ambergris Caye? Do most American/European company's ship to Belize? Has anyone tried it? I know Italians living on Roatan Island, Honduras that shop via Internet and it works well. At least they say it is.

Has no one at least tried to shop via Internet? Please let me know if that worked for you.

I am certainly no expert, but since no one else has responded to your post, I'll give you my personal experience with mailing stuff to my beloved Belize. Between customs and duties, it really is expensive and iffy.

We sent a picture (worthless to anyone else but us) down to Ambergris Caye last year. We paid $35 for packing and $90 for Fed Ex (and that was 75% off for company discount). Now, this only guaranteed it thru Belize City.

Then...once when it got to Belize City (and Fed Ex washed it's hands of it), we paid $50 for a customs broker, $25 for duty and $10 to Tropic for the ride to San Pedro.

Soooo, you do the math...very, very expensive. Plus, we feel lucky to received it at all.

The moral of the story is...if you want to bring stuff to Belize, accompany it down on the airplane. Cheapest way to go...and YOU get to
visit too!!

Question: Was that BZ Monies or US DOLLARS>
No matter it sounds expensive. You must have really loved that picture. We have some art too that we want but plan on taking it with us personally. will take with us!
I did a lot of internet shopping here in the states. Can't even think of doing it in Belize due to the Internet rates by BTL. It Would be one hell of a gift!

Believe it or not Mango...US!!! And yes, we do love the picture...a sentimental momento from a mother who passed away a year ago today.

[This message has been edited by chunkyruth (edited 12-22-2000).]

Chunkyruth! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It does sound very expensive. Probably not an option. I was just wondering because we are planing on moving to Belize within the next 2 years. We will be visiting AC again next June to check things out some more. We did buy a little piece of land on Long Caye at Lighthouse Reef which is wild and pristine at this point but will have some development w/strict eco guidelines in the near future. We are also considering the Basil Jones Area on AC close to the Basil Jones Resort. We don't want to be very close to San Pedro but still have acess for fun, dining and shopping there. Where in AC are you? Do you spend the whole year in Belize or just several month?

On the flip side . . .
I sent down a new typewriter via good ol' U.S. Post Office for $42US, and the San Pedro recipient paid $55BZ to pick it up. Took 3 weeks, but arrived in good condition. I think I was lucky . . .