Do you plan to send a package abroad? Before you get excited and throw in stuff in the box, make sure you're not including prohibited items to prevent your package from being held at customs.
One that is kind of tricky to send abroad are beauty products. Most international couriers do not allow it but I still tried my luck and sent a message on one of the popular couriers here in my country. Few minutes later, I got a reply where they said it is allowed as long as we could provide the information and some documents that may be needed.
We went to one of its branches the next day and brought an item for each of the product to confirm if they would accept it but staff said they don't ship any beauty products abroad. It left us confused. Why are their answers different?
We've asked DHL too before when we were sending the same beauty products to my sister for the first time. But they, too, don't accept such items. We're just lucky a friend of my mother went home for vacation, my mother asked her a favor to bring it with her when she returns to US.
When we got home, I searched online about experiences of people sending beauty products abroad until I found an article where she had successfully sent some abroad through PHLPost or Post Office. This was also suggested by the beauty clinic staff where we bought the sample items from, though she said we should ask the Post Office because she's not fully sure whether they accept such items.
Unfortunately, the phone number of our town's Post Office posted online wasn't working. Then I remembered I was sent a text by the Post Office last January to pick up the phone stand merch I ordered from Japan. I gave the phone number for my mother to try. Fortunately, it rang and someone from the office answered.
And surprise! They said they can ship beauty products abroad, except for the liquid ones. They told that the soap and cream are allowed. From there, they mentioned the required materials for the package.
My sister told it's alright if we can't send her the clarifying lotions (I know this could be confusing but it's actually the liquid one, water-like consistency), what's important for her are the creams and soaps. Luckily, both were okay to be shipped.
Well, I guess we're lucky there's still a way to send such items abroad. I'm not sure why sending items out of our country is so strict, meanwhile, items coming in to the country is quite easy. My aunt was able to send rechargeable batteries before and even perfumes.
Also, if there's only an acquaintance going home for vacation, we could have just gave the items to that person to bring it with him/her back to the US because it's easier and security isn't much strict on that. And it's cheaper or sometimes free. Lol. It just sucks that most people have postponed their travel because of the corona virus.
Next post, I will share to you the items we've sent my sister and how much was the shipping cost.
Thanks for reading!