POBOX.PH

I love online shopping. Imagine a 5000 Php Avent breastpump  here in our mall will only cost less than 2500 Php (including the freight cost) from online store.

Unfortunately, majority of the online sites I know do not deliver directly to the Philippines. 

Amazon now can deliver to Philippines thru EMS but I had a bad experience before in EMS, They do not deliver door to door. You have to go to your local post office to claim your package. And you will also need to pay custom fee. There is a certain computation for the custom fee. 

I got this computation from Bureau of Custom site. 

Total Duties and Taxes =Customs Duty+ VAT+ IPF+ Excise Tax (if applicable)

1. Customs Duty =Customs Value (Dutiable Value) x Foreign Exchange Rate x Rate of Duty

• Dutiable Value =  Cost of Goods+ Freight + Insurance+ Other Charges and Costs
• Rate of Duty = As per classification of goods under AHTN, Section 104, TCCP

2. VAT = 12% of Total Landed Cost (TLC)

• TLC = Dutiable Value+ Bank Charges+ Customs Duty+ Customs Duty+ Customs Duty+ Arrastre Charge+ Customs Documentary Stamp (CDS)+ Customs Documentary Stamp (CDS)++ Import Processing Fee (IPF)

I dont know how strict they are but the last time i paid 2T for a 5T product i bought from China while my friend only paid 50 php for a watch she bought from Amazon.

Good thing I got to know Pobox. I have tried them 3x for a package i bought from Amazon and Babies R' Us. 

The step is so simple. 

1. Register on their online site

2.  Purchase an item online and have it delivered at Pobox warehouse

3.  Fill out the shipping form online

4.  Contact them thru email so you can settle your payment. You can pay online thru paypal or credit card

5. Wait for 4-5 weeks and your item will be delivered at your door

They charge packages according box sizes. This includes the insurance which up to $200. You have an option to add $5 per $100 in excess on the original coverage. They also do consolidation, meaning you can shop from different online stores and they will combine it all in one box. 

This is how they packed my box

On the negative side, you can never be sure on how safe your package will be. 

A damage/broken cover of my cookie butter and a dented feeding bottle box.

BTW,  Pobox.ph is in partner with Forexworld. And they also offer the same services as pobox. Maybe next time i will also try Forexworld services for my online shopping