Send Package from US to Portugal
December 5, 2021 11:24 AM Subscribe
I've tried twice now to send a package from USA to Nazaré. The package measures 2.5" x 6" x 9". The first time was through stamps.com. Apparently it sat in Lisboa for a while and then was sent back. The second time was through the USPS. It was returned with "Não reclamado" from the Portugal CTT. The recipient never received any notice about it.
What do I need to do?
Expensive alternative: use a courier service like FedEx, as they'll have you handle any customs stuff at the time you give them the package, usually won't accept a non-functional address, and will hand-deliver the item. I've used FedEx to send things to Portugal three times in the last month.
posted by aramaic at 11:46 AM on December 5, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by aramaic at 11:46 AM on December 5, 2021 [4 favorites]
For the customs thing to work, you have to fill in the correct declarations before sending. So check you did all that correctly.
On the side of the recipient, typically customs processing takes place at the point of entry and only then does a package go into the local postal system’s distribution network. They will typically not hand it over unless they have your payment of duty and processing fees or can collect it when they deliver.
Not sure what the set-up is for the Portuguese postal service but have your friend explore what should happen their end assuming you have the right address and filled in the right forms.
It may vary but I got a package in October that was a promotional gift for the 2020 holiday season. It was a bit banged up and I have no idea where it was stuck for 10 months but it made it eventually. Even at the high point of the pandemic delays packages did get through eventually although one took 3+ months because it sat somewhere in Germany for many weeks. My point is - the system may get clogged up a bit at times but it is designed to work eventually even if that happens. The fact that it doesn’t work for you suggests an error somewhere along the line and best to start the process of elimination with the simple things.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:28 PM on December 5, 2021
On the side of the recipient, typically customs processing takes place at the point of entry and only then does a package go into the local postal system’s distribution network. They will typically not hand it over unless they have your payment of duty and processing fees or can collect it when they deliver.
Not sure what the set-up is for the Portuguese postal service but have your friend explore what should happen their end assuming you have the right address and filled in the right forms.
It may vary but I got a package in October that was a promotional gift for the 2020 holiday season. It was a bit banged up and I have no idea where it was stuck for 10 months but it made it eventually. Even at the high point of the pandemic delays packages did get through eventually although one took 3+ months because it sat somewhere in Germany for many weeks. My point is - the system may get clogged up a bit at times but it is designed to work eventually even if that happens. The fact that it doesn’t work for you suggests an error somewhere along the line and best to start the process of elimination with the simple things.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:28 PM on December 5, 2021
use a courier service like FedEx, as they'll have you handle any customs stuff at the time you give them the package
Not necessarily; as the recipient I've had to pay customs and handling duties with just about all of the common couriers, including FedEx. Sender paying the recipient's customs duties is possible and worldwide couriers will have the administrative processes in place, but it's definitely not standard.
posted by Stoneshop at 12:36 PM on December 5, 2021
Not necessarily; as the recipient I've had to pay customs and handling duties with just about all of the common couriers, including FedEx. Sender paying the recipient's customs duties is possible and worldwide couriers will have the administrative processes in place, but it's definitely not standard.
posted by Stoneshop at 12:36 PM on December 5, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
On the side of the recipient: When a package from USA enters any EU country, the recipient usually must provide some paperwork for the customs and pay taxes on the package. Have they done this?
posted by gakiko at 11:38 AM on December 5, 2021 [2 favorites]