Instituto Postal Dominicano: My Big Test

[cobraboy]

Shipping items into the DR is No Big Deal as there are multiple worthy, safe options available. Shipping OUT is the real problem.

A DR1er mentioned the Dominican postal system as an option, so we decided to give them a shot in sending out less than 2 pounds of green and roast coffee samples.

I had tried Business mail, but they don't ship coffee. They did, however, give me a nice USPS Priority Mail box.

We went to the INPOSDOM office in Santiago yesterday on Calle San Luis at Calle del Sol. It's an old building. And nearly empty.



What we were told about shipping to the states:

• There are three levels of service: "regular", Certified and bulk (up to 60kg)
• Packages arrive 7-10 days from shipping date
• Certified gets you a tracking number so you can see where it is on the www.inposdom.gob.do website.
• Certified costs RD$60 more than regular

I apologize for not getting a full rate structure. But the cost of sending a 1.7 lb. package Certified to FL was RD$510. This is the rate for up to 4lbs. This is MUCH less than any other shipper charges for out-going packages.

I will report when (if:cheeky the package arrives.

 

[belmont]

You might have chosen a poor product to run your test on. A U.S. Department of Agriculture dog may alert on your package as it contains agricultural products. I know I can't send into the US plants or seeds, how are green coffee beans handled?

 

[cobraboy]

You might have chosen a poor product to run your test on. A U.S. Department of Agriculture dog may alert on your package as it contains agricultural products. I know I can't send into the US plants or seeds, how are green coffee beans handled?

Could be, we'll see.

The clerks said coffee is shipped all the time. Besides, the green coffee I mailed has full documentation enclosed.

 

[bangumbo]

Any info on this making it Cobra boy? also, does the price drop with a larger weight? thanks.

 

[AlterEgo]

There are a few people on EBay selling Dominican coffee that is shipped from Santo Domingo, so coffee must be allowed. I saw Cafe Santo Domingo, Induban and Monte Alto....

To Cobraboy, imagine my shock to see someone on eBay is selling Monte Alto Organico coffee - ground or beans - for $20 plus $10 shipping!!!! Oy vey! Can't wait to buy some more when I get back down there.

AE

 

[Tamborista]

There are a few people on EBay selling Dominican coffee that is shipped from Santo Domingo, so coffee must be allowed. I saw Cafe Santo Domingo, Induban and Monte Alto....

To Cobraboy, imagine my shock to see someone on eBay is selling Monte Alto Organico coffee - ground or beans - for $20 plus $10 shipping!!!! Oy vey! Can't wait to buy some more when I get back down there.

AE

Green beans are considered agriculture, so I am curious as well if these get past the sniffing dogs at JFK.

 

[Pib]

My own test (cost RD$1,083 for a small box, 1.4 lb):

Tracking info, noticed that it was received in the US 4 days later, that included a weekend. It then took USPS 6 days to deliver it within NY (although the tried to deliver it two days without finding the recipient). So a total of 5 business days.

Your item was delivered at 9:05 am on July 01, 2011 in (deleted by Pib), NY 11415. The item was signed for by (deleted by Pib).
Detailed Results:

Delivered, July 01, 2011, 9:05 am, (deleted by Pib), NY 11415
Notice Left (No Authorized Recipient Available), June 29, 2011, 2:53 pm, (deleted by Pib), NY 11415
Notice Left (No Authorized Recipient Available), June 29, 2011, 11:05 am, (deleted by Pib), NY 11415
Out for Delivery, June 29, 2011, 8:55 am, (deleted by Pib), NY 11415
Sorting Complete, June 29, 2011, 8:45 am, (deleted by Pib), NY 11415
Arrival at Unit, June 29, 2011, 7:51 am, (deleted by Pib), NY 11415
Inbound Out of Customs, June 29, 2011, 2:14 am
Processed through Sort Facility, June 28, 2011, 10:33 pm, FLUSHING, NY 11351
Inbound Into Customs
Processed Through Sort Facility, June 26, 2011, 11:44 pm, ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
Origin Post is Preparing Shipment
Processed Through Sort Facility, June 22, 2011, 3:40 pm, SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Acceptance, June 22, 2011, 1:29 pm, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 

[bangumbo]

Where did you send that from Pib? It seems as though the prices change the further you are from SD. I will post prices from Jarabacoa and La Vega as soon as i get them. I hear La Vega is slightly cheaper.

 

[Ken]

My own test (cost RD$1,083 for a small box, 1.4 lb):

Pib, I wonder about the charge; it would be too much if the information I was given is correct.

When I sent my package from Sosua, the post mistress let me copy the charges for sending packages to the US. The price list was clear, the weights were in kilograms.

0.5 - RD$898

1.0 - 990

1.5 - 1,083

2.0 - 1,175

2.5 - 1,267

3.0 - 1,361

3.,5 - 1,455

4.,0 - 1,551

The RD1,083 would be about right for a package of approximately 1.4 if it were kilograms. But your 1.4 lbs is about 0.6 kgs. I'm going to the office of Wendy Juma, the dentist, tomorrow. The post office is down below. I am going to check with her about kgs vs lbs and also whether the same rates are in use in all post offices.

bangumbo, my present understanding is that the prices to the US are the same everywhere.

 

[lbs720]

Shipping to the US

Do you think the Dominican Postal Service would be safe and reliable to use to send back about 60 pounds of household goods to the U.S.? Did I do my math right to figure that would come to around $300?