Mail Forwarding companies?

I'm interested in something similar but more so for packages.

I have a virtual address in the USA. They scan my mail and I can review it on the app or their website. They also offer forwarding services. They will forward packages for a fee

I do not know, but I would guess that could forward to one of the private companies here in the DR.

In Las Terrenas I use CPS. For example, if I order something from Amazon, my delivery address is in Doral Florida. This address is supplied by CPS. The package typically arrives in about 4 to 7 days here in LT

So I don't know why I couldn't have have the virtual address company forward to the address supplied by CPS ?

Maybe someone here as experience and can confirm if this is the possible.

CPS, EPS, BMCargo..... all forwarders.

2 addresses.... one for mail, other for packages

Heavy things are $$ to fly.... very $$$

Here is how it works:

Most are similar but not all the same.

Most are franchise type setups so get to know the local office first.

Find one convenient to where you live. If you have options then compare them.  Remember while. One. May be 3 pesos a pound cheaper they may have lousy parking!  Look at everything.

Ask about your office and it's reputation.  I use CPS in Santo Domingo and they were amazing. Not so in La Romana, their service sucked!

Set up the account and make sure to register your ID with Aduanas. That is now required.

When you purchase in USA then you use the. Miami address you will be given.  Most places deliver to these. Locations and there is no issue. 

Your mail and packages are brought to the office for you for a charge.  Some forwarders also deliver to your house, so ask when you set up your account!

Purchase under US 200 including delivery cost to Miami or you are dealing with Aduanas.  And be careful of  volume too. Buying 3 set of headphones is ok. Buying 4 got flagged for Aduanas and they tried to tax me.

I have used CPS, EPS and I am now with Mailbox etc and getting phenomenal service!

@drlover1962 LOL, I was asleep at the wheel. I want packages also. I did a stupid, nonthinking copy and paste.

I use MBE.DO in Mega Central SDQ, same concept.

As indicated many single purchases for electronics, jewlery, over 200 dollars may be flagged to be tax. That tax runs 18% and many times you have to go to BanReserve to make the tax payment at least for MBE, then submit the payment form to customs for me via the MBE app.

Also , many banks especially BanReserve will have long lines to wait for a teller. In the city it may be a little faster.

FYI those taxes can be paid online if you have a  Dominican bank account. MBE is mailbox etc and you will get a PIN and with that you can pay online.

@planner yep forgot about that. That's what I did the last time.

@crabelramble I use MBE.COM.DO

This is amazing ! If I use MBE- for instance and I order a laptop- can I get it from the Miami address of MBE or does it HAvE to be shipped to SDQ -

You can also try using Domex, they have offices all throughout the country. I have never had a problem with them. They will give you an address in Florida also, then it gets forwarded to Santo Domingo. They will charge you by the weight. I believe the US Embassy uses them for documents.

Mark you must use the Miami address for MBE

I have some idea how this could work

(Is theory only!!!)

You create some account to sell buy in famous service like. ..zoon baba

Bay     similar  and your partner for example

Other. ..

You buy some of your partner just to make

Deliver who cooperative with lot of Web companies to bring it to Dr. In same moment you can bring small things what you need

It will cost you some but if you need physical post for now is very limited option   )

We collect this from collect point in corner small business phone repair etc 1 minute walk from home

Our zone are no street name or number haha

But when we order cash money or material for build they know where come imao

That it's DR exactly

@Mark Mclaurin it would be shipped to Miami and then forward to SDQ.

However, do your research as you may have to pay 18% tax over the amount of 200 dollars.

You may be better off and save money purchasing major electronics here in the DR.

All depends on your requirements and personal decisions.

Research

I use Taino Express, a package forwarding service with an office in La Vega. They have many other offices throughout the DR.

You have your purchases sent to their Miami office. Those packages are then re-shipped to their main office in Santo Domingo and, from there, to their local offices. My packages get to me 2-3 days after hitting Miami.

They charge 215 pesos per pound. They also add a small charge for insurance on packages with higher value.

Of note, the local office in La Vega does answer their phone! They also quickly respond when I message them on WhatsApp.

So to recap - there are many mail forwarding companies. Find one near you.

You get a Miami address to use. Keep in mind over US 200 you pay sales tax of 18% and may pay duty.  Also keep in mind buying multiple of one thing!  It may be decided by Aduanas that they are for resale and you will be taxed!

You pay somewhere around US 5 a pound from Miami to your local office!  Keep that in mind when buying! 

@planner thanks ! I guess what I was asking was if it gets shipped to Miami and I am going to be in Miami anyway can I pick it up from there or does it have to be to be shipped to Santo Domingo?  It’s a new laptop so I’d rather not have to pay aduana lol

That's a question for your mail forwarder.......

Or mail it to your hotel..... 'Hold For Arrival'

Should be 1 day delivery... 2 max

@Mark Mclaurin you may want to ask your shipper can they hold the package for physical pick up in Miami. Some shippers allow and some do not. Worth asking. BTW, if you fly in with it to SDQ, you may want to remove it from packaging. If its sealed in original package you risk customs in SDQ or DR airport asking questions. Thats my suggestions.

@CHRISTOPHER DAVID56 you are amazingly helpful- thank you, Sir !

What they said!!!!

@CHRISTOPHER DAVID56

Good point! Aduana allows people to carry unpackaged laptops every day without having to pay duty.

Just to be safe, I'd take it out of the box, start it up and make yours by completing the laptop's setup.

Will do ! The laptop is 2500 I don’t wanna pay 400 in tax lol

@crabelramble I googled Taino Express last night before reading this article. Not even sure if they're still in business, at least not sure about the Puerto Plata location. TERRIBLE REVIEWS

@planner Do you know if Mailbox etc have locations in the Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete area?

Yes they do honey. 

With almost all mail forwarding companies - check the local office. If it's a franchise then it's only as good as the local owners and managers!!

Go talk to them directly and see how you feel.

@drlover1962https://www.mbe.com.do/index.php/sucursales.html

@drlover1962

I use the La Vega office, and they, so far, have been excellent! I contact them on Whatsapp. They respond quickly in English. They've never been snarky or unavailable.

@drlover1962

I have never seen an MBE here in the POP area. We use EPS Cabarete with no issues. 

Looks like an opportunity for someone to open one!

I want to add that I've used the Taino Express office in La Vega to ship 40+ packages to me over the last month and a half.

All made it to me without issue. And, their support on WhatsApp had been wonderful!

I think the true test of any mail forwarder is what they do when something goes wrong!

I have had some very bad experiences and some great ones! 

We've had a LOT of packages sent here through Mail Boxes Etc (MBE) since we landed in the DR. We built a house here and had a lot of items imported using MBE. A lot of packages. An embarrassing number really. Although we DO try to find things locally when we can. Anyway, MBE has not lost one package. One was misrouted but we got that one eventually. What I am saying is they are pretty darn reliable. If anyone is concerned with that they don't need to be.

I use MBE and I too get a lot of packages.  I have never had one lost and when I need help with ADUANAS they are excellent! 

Previously I have had a great experience with CPS in Santo Domingo and bad experience with the office in La Romana!  Local management of offices makes a difference.

I use MBE and I too get a lot of packages. I have never had one lost and when I need help with ADUANAS they are excellent!
Previously I have had a great experience with CPS in Santo Domingo and bad experience with the office in La Romana! Local management of offices makes a difference.
-@planner

Indeed. We switched, for the most part, from CPS to MBE in Las Terrenas because of the local office/personnel, and the MBE web site and communication was better. But CPS is a bit cheaper for large and /or heavy packages.

Folks may need to try more than one local service and see which is best for them.

Another issue is rounding UP of package costs.  One company, who shall remain nameless,  rounds up ALWAYS.  Another  charges the exact weight!

@Dominicanborn That's correct. I renewed my passport in DR and had to mail it using DOMEX. My passport book and passport card came back in a month.

Personally, I have been using BM Cargo (Villa Mella office) without any issues for the past 2 years.

Another issue is rounding UP of package costs. One company, who shall remain nameless, rounds up ALWAYS. Another charges the exact weight!
-@planner

ASFAIK, every shipper rounds up to the nearest pound for packages greater than 1 lb.

i.e., if your package is 1.1 lbs. you pay for 2 lbs. Is that what you mean when you say rounding up?

Another issue is rounding UP of package costs. One company, who shall remain nameless, rounds up ALWAYS. Another charges the exact weight!
-@planner

ASFAIK, every shipper rounds up to the nearest pound for packages greater than 1 lb.

i.e., if your package is 1.1 lbs. you pay for 2 lbs. Is that what you mean when you say rounding up?
-@crabelramble

"Every shipper" means UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. I do not know what freight forwarders other than Taino Express do.