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Amazon-shopping experience - Philippines!

by magiclouie
11 replies
Hello Fellow Warriors,

I am not sure if this thread is applicable in this place but I am hoping it is.

Anyway, a mate sent me a text message asking if I had any experience with shopping at Amazon and how to go about it when you want the goods delivered into the country.

I actully don't have any Amazon-shopping experience so I can't help him either.

I have a $200 gift certificate there hanging around and waiting but from what I've read on their site, Amazon doesn't deliver in Asia (except for books and I hope I am not out of the loop).

Moreover, I have a plan of purchasing a voice recorder at Amazon.

I thought the only way around it is to have the package shipped to a friend or relative in the US then have them send the package here.

Is that really the best way for now?

Thanks,
Louie
#amazonshopping #experience #living #philippines
  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    Louie, Kumuusta Ka, or however you spell that.

    Anyway, I think your idea is the best way. I have no experience but if I were in your situation, yes I'd have it sent to a U.S. address and then have a friend send it to you.

    But please make sure that amazon only sends books to PI and nothing else.

    Also I hope Amazon doesn't see your Philippines IP address and not let you order something to be sent to a US address, but I would think they don't do that.
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    • Profile picture of the author magiclouie
      Originally Posted by redicelander View Post

      Louie, Kumuusta Ka, or however you spell that.

      Anyway, I think your idea is the best way. I have no experience but if I were in your situation, yes I'd have it sent to a U.S. address and then have a friend send it to you.

      But please make sure that amazon only sends books to PI and nothing else.

      Also I hope Amazon doesn't see your Philippines IP address and not let you order something to be sent to a US address, but I would think they don't do that.
      Maraming Salamat redicelander, it's really nice to see that you know a bit of Filipino words.

      Thanks for this input, I just love how clearly you stated everything.
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  • Profile picture of the author davidtong
    Hi there, I've ordered a lot of stuff through Amazon shipped to the Phil before. Here are the things you have to contend with:

    1) See if the item ships to the Phil in the first place. Remember that Amazon has A LOT of 3rd party sellers, not all of them ship abroad.
    2) Shipping cost will be rather expensive as they use FedEx/DHL not USPS most of the time.
    3) Since they do 'legal' shipping, unlike many eBay sellers, you will be taxed accordingly. If the item (including shipping cost) exceeds a certain amount. The exact threshold for goods tax escapes me right now, but just go to the DTI site and look for the exact amount and %. FedEx/UPS/DHL actually puts a hold on your item until you pay the fees.
    4) Shipping takes about 10 working days to reach the Phil. Again, since this is going through DHL/FedEx/UPS, your odds of Phil Post 'losing' it (you know what I mean) is rare.

    Your best option is to course it through Johnny Air Cargo as you can have the item shipped to their US address and they'll ship it to Manila for you. There's no import tax levied but they charge a small amount ($8/lb, I believe). This bypasses any shipping restrictions you may have by the seller. Johnny Air

    HTH dude.
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    • Profile picture of the author magiclouie
      Originally Posted by davidtong View Post

      Hi there, I've ordered a lot of stuff through Amazon shipped to the Phil before. Here are the things you have to contend with:

      1) See if the item ships to the Phil in the first place. Remember that Amazon has A LOT of 3rd party sellers, not all of them ship abroad.
      2) Shipping cost will be rather expensive as they use FedEx/DHL not USPS most of the time.
      3) Since they do 'legal' shipping, unlike many eBay sellers, you will be taxed accordingly. If the item (including shipping cost) exceeds a certain amount. The exact threshold for goods tax escapes me right now, but just go to the DTI site and look for the exact amount and %. FedEx/UPS/DHL actually puts a hold on your item until you pay the fees.
      4) Shipping takes about 10 working days to reach the Phil. Again, since this is going through DHL/FedEx/UPS, your odds of Phil Post 'losing' it (you know what I mean) is rare.

      Your best option is to course it through Johnny Air Cargo as you can have the item shipped to their US address and they'll ship it to Manila for you. There's no import tax levied but they charge a small amount ($8/lb, I believe). This bypasses any shipping restrictions you may have by the seller. Johnny Air

      HTH dude.
      Thanks a lot for this davidtong, I have an idea now on what to do!

      I really appreciated this.
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  • Profile picture of the author webapex
    There are a number of "Mail forwarding" services that are similar to Johnny Air Cargo. they provide you a U.S. address and automatically, or by your order resend the items to your home case address. It's probably worth shopping around to find the best prices.

    Of course good VAs can probably get their employer to occasionally do them a favor, perhaps just paying in amazon goods one week.
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    “An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field” Niels Bohr

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    • Profile picture of the author magiclouie
      Originally Posted by webapex View Post


      Of course good VAs can probably get their employer to occasionally do them a favor, perhaps just paying in amazon goods one week.
      I couldn't agree more. Thanks for this input!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Brian
    Have bought items and shipped through "normal" Amazon shipment to PH and I didn't experience any problems at all.
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    • Profile picture of the author magiclouie
      Originally Posted by Mark Brian View Post

      Have bought items and shipped through "normal" Amazon shipment to PH and I didn't experience any problems at all.
      Oh really? Were they electronic products? I am planning to buy a voice recorder.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mark Brian
        Originally Posted by magiclouie View Post

        Oh really? Were they electronic products? I am planning to buy a voice recorder.
        As I remember it was books.
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  • Profile picture of the author davidtong
    For items sold directly by Amazon or other large companies, it's not a problem, but there are a lot of sellers/stores that refuse to ship abroad, so in those cases, you must go through an escrow shipper.
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  • Profile picture of the author davidtong
    Electronic products are tougher and not that feasible in many cases as well due to warranty and power issues.

    Besides, most electronic items are cheaper in HK anyway hehe. But if you have a GC lying around to spend, get something you can't buy locally.
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