Sending and receiving packages in Mauritius

I have used the postal service twice for books from Amazon. The first time it went to Port Louis - quite a mission to collect and the procedure slow. The next time it came to the Goodlands PO and it was simplicity itself. The duty was not excessive and both books in perfect order, probably thanks to Amazon. I am about to order some dvds from Ebay - any suggestions that will not cost heavily?

andrew

I find the Mauritian postal service extremely efficient even though they are a bit antiquated.  I buy a lot of things through e.bay as do my family and we have never lost a parcel.  The local post office in Goodlands actually phones me when there are parcels to collect and they are always extremely helpful.  The only parcels I have had to collect in Port Louis main parcel collection office were spices I ordered and multi vitamins.  There are different hours there to collect food parcels and medicine parcels as they have to be checked.  This is a nightmare and you have to sit and wait, if there are a lot of people it can take hours so I don't order food or medicine products any more.   There is also a small fee to pay there around Rs100 for this service and I have never had to pay any duties or tax.  But for small e.bay parcels no problem at the local office.  I have actually ordered all my Christmas gifts on line and received all in good condition.

andrewgphillips wrote:

I have used the postal service twice for books from Amazon. The first time it went to Port Louis - quite a mission to collect and the procedure slow. The next time it came to the Goodlands PO and it was simplicity itself. The duty was not excessive and both books in perfect order, probably thanks to Amazon. I am about to order some dvds from Ebay - any suggestions that will not cost heavily?

andrew

You paid duties on books?

Books are supposed to be VAT and excise duty free.

Unless things have changed since then.