Sending Packages To Bolivia: A Comprehensive Guide

Sending packages to Bolivia is a straightforward process with many international couriers offering their services, including well-known companies such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL. These companies offer a range of shipping options, from express to economy, with delivery times ranging from 1 to 20 days. When sending a package to Bolivia, it is important to be aware of any prohibited items, which include firearms, drugs, and certain food items. Packages sent to Bolivia will also need to go through customs, which may cause delays. To avoid any issues, senders should carefully fill out the required customs forms and be mindful of any applicable taxes.

International shipping companies that deliver to Bolivia

When shipping to Bolivia, it's important to consider the specific steps and regulations for international shipping. Here are some reputable international shipping companies that deliver to Bolivia:

FedEx

With FedEx, you can ship packages of up to 68 kg to Bolivia. They offer a range of services, including FedEx International First, FedEx International Priority Express, and FedEx International Economy. FedEx delivers to over 220 countries and territories, including Bolivia, and provides fast, reliable, and on-time delivery.

UPS

UPS is another option for shipping to Bolivia. They offer worldwide expedited shipping and worldwide saver services. UPS is known for its quick delivery times, with packages arriving in Bolivia in as little as two days to 20 business days.

DHL

DHL provides express shipping services to Bolivia, with delivery times ranging from two to five days. They are a well-known global carrier with a strong presence in South America.

USPS

USPS is a good choice if you're looking for a mix of affordability and express services. They offer priority mail express international shipping, which can be a cost-effective option for shipping to Bolivia.

Latin American Cargo (LAC)

LAC specializes in international freight shipping to Bolivia and has over 20 years of experience. They offer ocean freight and air freight services, providing reliable and cost-effective solutions for shipping cargo to Bolivia. Due to Bolivia's landlocked status, sea cargo is shipped to Chile and then transported by truck or train to Bolivia.

MyUS

MyUS offers exclusive low rates and fast delivery times for shipping to Bolivia. They have partnerships with major global carriers, including Aramex, DHL, FedEx, and UPS. MyUS members can save up to 80% on international shipping rates through package consolidation services.

Other Options

In addition to the companies mentioned above, there are other international shipping companies that deliver to Bolivia, such as INBOLPACK BOLIVIA, EXPRINTER LIFTVANS BOLIVIA, EXPRESS CARGO SERVICES, and BTC CARGO EXPRESS. These companies have a presence in Bolivia and can assist with the complexities of Bolivian customs clearance.

Prohibited items when shipping to Bolivia

When shipping to Bolivia, there are several prohibited items that you need to be aware of to ensure your package doesn't get rejected or delayed. Here is a comprehensive list of items that are prohibited from being shipped to Bolivia:

• Human corpses, organs, body parts, human and animal embryos, and cremated or exhumed human remains.
• Explosives, including explosive devices such as bombs, grenades, or similar items, unless for training or artistic purposes.
• Firearms, weaponry, and their parts, including 3D printed weapons.
• Bump stocks and other rapid-fire trigger activators.
• Ghost guns and firearms without a serial number.
• Perishable food items and any food or beverages requiring refrigeration or specific environmental control.
• Live animals, including insects, with some exceptions for certain countries.
• Animal carcasses, insects, and pets.
• Plants and plant materials, including cut flowers, with some exceptions for certain countries.
• Lottery tickets and gambling devices prohibited by law.
• Money, including coins, cash, currency, paper money, stocks, bonds, and other negotiable instruments.
• Pornographic and/or obscene material.
• Hazardous waste, including used hypodermic needles, syringes, and other medical waste.
• Substances that may damage the environment, human health, or the preservation of plant and animal life.
• Decomposing or contaminated edible products.
• Diseased animals or plants.
• Radioactive waste and other dangerous substances, including ozone-damaging materials.
• Items that threaten the security of the Bolivian state or its financial system, such as counterfeit money.
• Foreign lottery tickets.
• Used clothing and accessories without proper disinfection certificates.
• Vehicles and their parts that are prohibited by other regulations, such as those with diesel oil engines or specific steering configurations.
• Pharmaceutical and medicinal products that have not been approved by the Bolivian health authorities.
• Arms, munitions, and explosives, which are highly regulated and controlled.
• Prescription medications, including dental and veterinary drugs.
• Prescription medical devices.
• Medical devices not approved by the FDA or similar regulatory bodies.
• Prohormones, human growth hormones, stem cell treatments, steroids, or synthetic versions.
• Non-prescription medications that are not labelled in English or without approved labelling requirements.
• Any food, supplement, drug, or cosmetic that has been issued a consumer safety advisory warning.
• Lab reagents, biologics, cultures, and medical specimens.
• Poisonous and toxic substances, including inhalation hazards.
• Infectious substances.
• Fireworks, gunpowder, flares, or matches.
• Gasoline, diesel, and other fuels.
• Lighters containing fuel.
• Meals Ready to Eat (MREs).
• Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
• Self-balancing boards (hoverboards).
• Firearms, guns, and accessories, including replicas.
• BB/pellet/airsoft/paintball guns, parts, and projectiles.
• Ammunition, magazines, and bayonets.
• Tear gas, mace, and pepper spray.
• Gas masks and gas mask filters.
• Law enforcement weapons, including saps, batons, and billy clubs.
• Handcuffs of any material, including plastic zip ties and straitjackets.
• Body armour, helmets, or personal protection articles with kevlar or ballistic ratings.
• Military, tactical, or police shields.
• Government, police, or military uniforms, IDs, and badges, including replicas.
• Military training equipment.
• Military flight helmets, jumpsuits, and law enforcement equipment.
• Thermal imaging, infrared, or other night vision devices.
• Rifle scopes and laser pointing/aiming devices for firearms.
• Defence articles controlled under the US Munitions List per International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
• Self-propelled vehicles.
• Dual-use or commercial articles controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) that require an export license.
• Counterfeit products.
• Contraband or illegal substances.
• Gambling devices and accessories.
• Lock-picking devices.
• Live or dead animals or insects.
• Skin, leather, fur, or hides of certain reptiles, amphibians, and other animals, especially those of protected species.
• Sturgeon or Beluga caviar.
• Certain agricultural products, including specific seeds, live or dead plants, unfinished or untreated wood, and soil.
• Items containing animal products controlled under the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, or requiring a permit under CITES.
• Any unidentifiable material, substance, or chemical.
• Tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco, and smokeless tobacco.
• E-cigarettes and vaping products.
• Marijuana, including for recreational or medicinal use, and any products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or synthetic cannabinoids.
• Raw or unrefined hemp plants or their derivatives, including stalks, leaves, oil, flowers, and seeds.
• Substances not approved for medical use by relevant authorities, including kratom and Salvia divinorum.
• Packages that are wet, leaking, or emitting any odour.
• Wildlife products requiring specific export clearance.

Customs forms and procedures

When shipping items from the US to Bolivia, you must fill out customs forms if your package weighs more than 15.994 oz. The form you need depends on the USPS mail service you use and the total value of what you send. For Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®) packages, you must fill out the GXG International Air Waybill. If you're mailing to certain destinations, you'll also need to fill out the Commercial Invoice PS Form 6182.

For Priority Mail Express International® and all other USPS international services, including APO/FPO/DPO mail, use PS Form 2976-R, and take your package to the counter for the clerk to create the label. You'll need to present your package at the counter to have the clerk create your label if you didn't complete your customs form online or are using postage stamps on a package that requires a customs form.

If you're sending packages to countries that follow European Union (EU) customs rules, you must use more detailed content descriptions on your customs forms. If you don't, customs officials in the receiving country may reject and return your package (or, in certain cases, may even destroy it). For each item in your package, you'll need to provide a detailed description that names a specific category. For example, instead of just "electronics," you must specify "computer," "mobile phone," or "television."

Bolivian Customs laws are very strict due to the amount of contraband brought into the country, so authorities rigorously inspect any shipments or items to ensure they do not contain weapons, stolen art or antiques, and other smuggled goods. All items will be taxed, so bring receipts or invoices for items so that you can prove how much they cost. Make very specific packing lists and list all items, no matter how small they seem.

If you are moving to Bolivia and will be shipping your household and personal belongings through a shipping company, those items will be inspected upon arrival. To clear them from customs, you will need a good customs agent in Bolivia, and you will be responsible for any import taxes on the total value of those goods, even if they are used.

If you are importing or exporting goods for business reasons, you must be vigilant and ensure you are informed about any certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, or other permits you will need to prove you have paid for those items, they belong to you, you have paid taxes on them, and their exact origins are documented.

Shipping costs to Bolivia

MyUS is a company that offers exclusive low rates, fast delivery times, and door-to-door tracking on every shipment. They have partnerships with major global carriers, including Aramex, DHL, FedEx, and UPS. They also offer package consolidation services that can reduce international shipping rates by up to 80%. MyUS also has a pricing system that calculates rates based on weight only, rather than using complicated calculations based on dimensional (or volumetric) weight.

Eurosender is another company that offers shipping services from Bolivia to the United States. They work with vetted and reputable logistics providers and include basic insurance and real-time tracking with all orders. Their Priority Express Service is the best shipping option for global routes, and they can also provide tailored quotes for shipping large items packed on pallets.

UPS also offers a shipping cost calculator on their website, which provides estimated shipping quotes for their global package delivery services.

Delivery times to Bolivia

DHL

DHL Express Smallbox: 2-5 days

DHL Express: 2-5 days

FedEx

FedEx Intl Connect: 10-20 days

FedEx Economy: 5-9 days

FedEx Priority: 3-6 days

UPS

UPS Expedited: 5-9 days

UPS Worldwide Saver: 3-6 days

Budget Economy

8-14 days

BoliviaMall

BoliviaMall offers three shipping options: Certified Air Mail, Express Mail Service, and DHL. The website does not specify how long each option will take, but it does say that orders are generally shipped within 24-48 hours of being received.

Frequently asked questions