Belize-Bound: Mastering The Art Of Addressing Packages

If you are looking to ship a package to Belize, there are a few options available to you. You can use a package forwarding service, such as Shipito, which provides customers in Belize with a free US address to receive packages, which are then forwarded to their home or business address in Belize. Alternatively, you can use a freight forwarding company, such as Arrow Freight, which fills up a container once or twice a month and sends it to Belize. Another option is to use a shipping company like DHL, UPS, or USPS, which offer various shipping options and can deliver packages quickly to Belize. It is important to note that customs and shipping fees may apply, and these can be quite high, so be sure to properly declare your items to ensure the fastest processing through customs.

Package forwarding services

There are several package forwarding services available for those looking to send items to Belize. These services can be used by expats or those visiting Belize without a permanent address, allowing them to receive mail and packages at a local address.

One such service is provided by Shipito, which offers a free US address to customers in Belize, enabling them to shop from various US websites. With Shipito, customers can work with carriers like DHL, UPS, and USPS to quickly deliver packages to Belize. The cost of shipping from the US to Belize depends on the carrier, service, weight, and package size, with prices starting as low as $10 USD for a 1lb package.

Belize Concierge & Shipping is another highly recommended option for shipping to Belize. Customers praise the company for its fast communication, hassle-free deliveries, affordable prices, and reliability.

For those seeking a more comprehensive solution, US Global Mail is a leading mail forwarder that provides package forwarding services, virtual mailboxes, international shopping, and shipping to expats in Belize and worldwide.

Additionally, EarthClassMail offers an online mail solution, allowing expats in Belize to access their snail mails and bills from anywhere in the world.

When using these services, it's important to be mindful of the customs regulations and restrictions for Belize. For instance, items such as arms and ammunition, certain valuables, and specific tobacco products are subject to restrictions.

Shipping costs

When shipping to Belize, it is important to consider the import duty and taxes, which are calculated based on the value of the goods and the shipping costs. The tax rate in Belize is 12.5%, and there is no tax threshold. This means that all imported goods are subject to this tax rate.

There are several courier services that offer shipping to Belize, including Hong Kong Post, USPS, and FedEx. USPS provides a range of shipping options, including Priority Mail International and First Class International. FedEx offers both priority and economy delivery services, with specific delivery times and door-to-door service.

It is worth noting that consumers in Belize do not typically expect free shipping, and Saturday and Sunday are considered non-working days, which may cause shipment delays. Additionally, it is important to properly declare your items to ensure the fastest processing through customs.

Customs forms

When shipping items from the US to Belize, you will need to fill out a customs form. The form you need depends on the mail service you use and the total value of what you are sending.

For USPS, if you are sending a letter-post, you will need PS Form 2976 or 2976-A. If you are sending a parcel, you will need PS Form 2976-A inside 2976-E (envelope).

If you are using the Shipito service, you will need to log in to their website, select a carrier, fill out the US customs form, and pay to ship your items to Belize.

You can complete a customs form online, at your local post office branch, or by using the Click-N-Ship® service, which allows you to pay for postage and print an international shipping label along with a customs form.

Prohibited items

When shipping a package to Belize, it's important to be aware of the prohibited items that cannot be included. Here is a comprehensive list of items that are prohibited from shipment to Belize:

• Human corpses, organs, body parts, embryos, or cremated/disinterred remains.
• Explosives (with the exception of Class 1.4 explosives allowed to specific countries).
• Items resembling explosive devices, including novelty items, training aids, and works of art.
• Firearms, weaponry, and their parts (except between the US and Puerto Rico).
• Bump fire stocks and other rapid-fire trigger activators.
• Ghost guns and 3D-printed weapons.
• Perishable foodstuffs and items requiring refrigeration.
• Live animals (with some exceptions).
• Lottery tickets and gambling devices prohibited by law.
• Money, including coins, cash, currency, and negotiable instruments.
• Pornographic and/or obscene material.
• Hazardous waste, such as used hypodermic needles or medical waste.
• Shipments that may damage or delay equipment or other shipments.
• Shipments requiring special licenses or permits for transportation, import, or export.
• Counterfeit goods, including trademarked items without the owner's approval.
• Tobacco and tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.
• Electronic cigarettes and related devices, liquids, and gels.
• Marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), and any product containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or synthetic cannabinoids.
• Unrefined hemp plants and derivatives, except as permitted by US regulations.
• Substances not approved for medical use by the US Food and Drug Administration and listed as Drugs or Chemicals of Concern.
• Packages that are wet, leaking, or emitting odors.
• Certain restricted quantities of locally produced agricultural products, such as beans and rice.
• Goods containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.
• Arms and ammunition (these must be declared upon entry to Belize).
• Peanut butter, jam, jellies, pasta, wheat flour, rice, peppers and pepper sauces, beer, alcohol, spirits, carbonated beverages, products made of wood, pharmaceutical medicines, pesticides, telecommunication equipment, certain gases and chemicals deemed harmful to the environment, and fuel.

Shipping times

FedEx

FedEx offers a range of international shipping services with delivery times ranging from 1 to 11 business days. FedEx International First® provides early morning delivery to the US and major countries/territories worldwide, typically by 8:00 am. FedEx International Priority Express® is a mid-day delivery service, usually delivered by 10:30 am to select postal codes in the US and Canada and by noon to other destinations. FedEx International Priority® is their most popular service, delivering by the end of the day in 1 to 3 business days to key business centers. FedEx International Economy® is a more economical option for less time-sensitive shipments, with delivery times of 4 business days to the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and 4 to 11 business days to major cities in Europe.

Shipito

Shipito advertises shipping times from the US to Belize in as little as 2-5 business days.

MyUS

MyUS offers both express and economy shipping options, with delivery times ranging from 1 to 10 business days. Express shipping options arrive in 1 to 4 business days, while economy or budget shipping options take 4 to 10 business days.

Belize Concierge & Shipping

Belize Concierge & Shipping mentions that it takes approximately 3-4 weeks to deliver containers from the US to Belize. This includes the time required for the containers to depart from the US (3-4 weeks), clear customs in Belize (3-5 business days), and then be delivered to the recipient's door.

Other Shipping Companies

There are several other shipping companies mentioned that provide services to Belize, including Hyde Shipping, Blacktop Enterprises, Joseph Freight Services, Easy Shipping Belize, Belize Freight, Belize Shipping Company, Mail Boxes Etc., Roy and Sons Trucking, AeroPost, and more. However, specific shipping times were not found for these companies.

Frequently asked questions