How to ship mole paste to South Africa?
January 8, 2024 11:03 AM   Subscribe

I have a foodie friend in Durban to whom I'd like to ship some Oaxacan Mole paste. I live in the USA and shipping things to her has generally been a customs nightmare even when it's not a foodstuff, so I'd prefer to have it shipped directly from a company. More inside.

South African Amazon does not carry mole paste and USA Amazon won't ship it there. I don't mind ordering from an international foods company that resides in South Africa to make it easier, if you know of any that might carry mole paste and accept online orders. And up for any other ideas! Thanks!
posted by egeanin to Food & Drink (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Hope this isn't unhelpful, but has your friend suggested it might be better coming from a company? I ask as someone who has lived in a couple of countries with similarly nightmare-ish customs processes, and I'm not sure it was different for products coming from companies or individuals.

I also wanted to suggest you look at Amazon and other food sellers in the UK, which might have more established shipping processes to South Africa.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:39 AM on January 8, 2024


Response by poster: Sadly Amazon.uk doesn't sell the authentic paste - I'm not familiar with UK-based shippers of specialty foods but if anyone knows some, please shout-out.
posted by egeanin at 11:51 AM on January 8, 2024


I did a google search and found this. Perhaps worth investigating?
posted by SageTrail at 12:29 PM on January 8, 2024


Response by poster: Unfortunately that site does not allow non-Africa-based orders to be placed through the website even when shipping within South Africa.
posted by egeanin at 5:12 PM on January 8, 2024


Have you confirmed with your friend that what you want to do is possible? Or is it a surprise? The best way I know to do something like this is when someone else carries it in checked luggage.
posted by bluedaisy at 5:17 PM on January 8, 2024


Best answer: Egenanin, I'm in South Africa (Cape Town, not Durban).

International Shipping can be a problem, although I've found courier services not so bad. Shipped directly from a business randomly ends up in customs and having to pay a customs fee and collect it from the airport which is a pain.

If you trust me, you can send me the money and I can purchase it for you from that company linked above? Memail me if so.
posted by Zumbador at 8:23 PM on January 8, 2024


Response by poster: Thank you!! I'll memail you later today. Much appreciated!
posted by egeanin at 9:20 AM on January 9, 2024 [1 favorite]


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