Expat Community > Argentina

Spixe
Joined 2023
Posts: 0

Sending international packages, do I need a customs agent? Would extra baggage be easier?

1 year ago

So the wife and I will be moving to Cordoba in about 2 months (from China, if it matters) and will be sending about 6 boxes (70x50x50, 25kg each). I know I know, sending is expensive, products in Argentina are cheap, I should buy new ones there, etc., but they are things the wife and I just don't want to part with - or may be very hard to find there. Shrinking our life down to 6 boxes has been a huge challenge as it is, so please let us keep that. :)

Anyway, we're looking around a lot of moving and shipping services but to be honest, none are really making us feel at ease about the reliability of our stuff arriving there - at least not affordably. One person I do trust said they could guarantee our packages would arrive, but that I would need a customs agent to help me get them.

Is anyone familiar with this kind of service, how or where to find one, how much they would charge, or any other relevant info? Any info that could help me keep costs down and out of trouble (I already know not to send batteries, food, liquid, powder, drugs/medicine, and name brand clothing, for example, as I found a list of restricted and prohibited items online) would also be appreciated.

I'm also considering taking these boxes as extra luggage, essentially me and my wife would be lugging around 4 suitcases (about 100kg total) EACH. Since we'll end up having taken a total of 6 flights and will have spent 3 weeks in another country by the time we arrive in Argentina, as well as we'll be arriving in BA but still must travel to Cordoba where we will live, transferring and traveling with all that luggage doesn't sound appealing. But if it's safer (I can ensure our belongings arrive), faster (don't have to wait a month for a package) and cheaper (it would be about the same price as shipping, but no surprise fees like customs, inspections, and port charges), it may very well be worth it. Any thoughts on the idea?

Thanks a bunch for any advice.

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AGS Worldwide Movers

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