Receiving Mail In Bolivia: A Practical Guide

Sending and receiving mail in Bolivia can be a challenging process due to the country's unreliable postal system. The national postal service, ECOBOL, has a reputation for being slow and disorganized, with mail often arriving late or getting lost. As a result, Bolivians rarely use mailboxes and often rely on alternative methods of communication, such as email or messaging apps like Whatsapp. They also use an informal system called encomiendas, where parcels are loaded onto passenger buses and delivered to their destinations. For those receiving mail from abroad, it is recommended to include the recipient's name, street address, city, department name, country, and local phone number to ensure the mail reaches the correct destination. When sending mail from Bolivia to other countries, it is important to include the country name in Spanish and the continent name. Courier services, both international and local, are also available in Bolivia and are considered more reliable, although they come with a higher cost.

Sending mail to Bolivia: what to include

When sending mail to Bolivia, it is important to follow the correct procedures to ensure your mail reaches its destination. Here are the key things to include when sending mail to Bolivia:

• Complete address: When addressing your mail to Bolivia, it is crucial to include the recipient's full name, street address (including street name and number), city and department name (e.g. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz). Adding "Bolivia" in Spanish ("Bolivia" or "Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia") and "SOUTH AMERICA" can also help ensure your mail reaches the correct country.
• Recipient's phone number: Including the local phone number of the recipient is highly recommended. If the physical address is unclear, the postal service may contact the recipient to arrange pickup or delivery.
• Customs declaration: For packages sent from abroad to Bolivia, a customs declaration form is necessary. Some postal services, like Click & Drop, will generate this form automatically when you purchase postage online. You may also need to fill out a customs certificate at the post office if your package exceeds certain weight limits.
• Restrictions and prohibited items: Be sure to check the restrictions and prohibited items list for Bolivia. Some common prohibited items include arms and ammunition, illegal substances, obscene or immoral materials, counterfeit currency, and certain pharmaceutical products.
• Return address: Don't forget to include your return address, so that any undeliverable mail can be returned to you.
• Secure packaging: Consider using registered mail, which requires a signature upon delivery. This provides extra security and allows for reimbursement in case your mail doesn't arrive at its destination.
• Courier services: Due to the reported unreliability of the Bolivian Postal Service (ECOBOL), you may prefer to use international courier services like Federal Express, DHL, UPS, or TNT, which offer tracking and more reliable delivery.

By following these guidelines and including the necessary information, you can increase the chances of your mail successfully reaching its intended recipient in Bolivia.

Sending mail from Bolivia: key info

Sending mail from Bolivia can be a challenging process due to the country's unreliable postal system. Here is some key information to help you navigate the process:

The Bolivian Postal Service

The Bolivian Postal Service, known as ECOBOL, has a reputation for being slow, unorganized, and unreliable. In the past, mail delivery was handled by a team of private couriers who would attempt to deliver post by hand, often resulting in late or missing mail. While there have been slight improvements in recent years, it is still common for Bolivians to rely on alternative methods of communication and package delivery.

Alternative Delivery Methods

• International couriers: International courier companies such as Federal Express, DHL, UPS, and TNT offer reliable local, national, and international delivery services. These companies have established offices and multiple branches in Bolivia.
• Local couriers: Known as "couriers," "mensajeros," or "servicios de mensajería," these companies specialize in deliveries within Bolivian cities and between national destinations. An example of a local courier is CourierCruz, based in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
• Encomiendas: This nationwide system involves loading parcels onto passenger buses for transport. This method is often utilized due to the lack of a reliable postal system.
• Personal delivery: When returning home from overseas, friends and family members may agree to pack and deliver items in their suitcases, although this may incur a hefty import tax penalty.
• Online communication: Whenever possible, Bolivians prefer to send messages via email or WhatsApp, avoiding the postal system altogether.

Addressing Mail

When sending mail from Bolivia to another country, it is important to include the following information:

• Recipient's name
• Street address, including street name and number
• City and department name (e.g., Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz)
• Country name in Spanish
• Continent name
• Recipient's local phone number

Including the continent name and "SOUTH AMERICA" on the package can help ensure the mail reaches the correct destination.

Customs Forms and Restrictions

For packages weighing more than 2 kilograms, you must leave the package open for inspection at the post office. You will need to go to a special section of the post office called ENCOMIENDAS to mail it. A customs certificate stating the package's contents, weight, and value must be filled out. You will also need to provide your original ID (Bolivian carnet or passport) and two photocopies of the same.

Some items are prohibited or restricted from being sent through the mail, including:

• Arms and ammunition
• Articles that violate Bolivian trademark laws
• Obscene or immoral books, pamphlets, printed matter, paintings, illustrations, figures, and objects
• Coins, banknotes, paper money, traveler's checks, precious metals, jewelry, and other valuable articles
• Counterfeit or illegal currency, including advertisements imitating currency or postage stamps
• Perishable infectious and non-infectious biological substances
• Radioactive materials
• Tobacco and cigarette-related products
• Pharmaceutical and medicinal products that have not been approved by Bolivian health authorities
• Used clothing without a certificate of disinfection
• Shipments exceeding certain values without the required commercial invoices and import permits

Tracking and Security

The Bolivian Postal Service does not offer package tracking or pick-up services. For added security, you may consider sending mail through registered mail, which requires a signature upon delivery. In the event that the package does not arrive, the post office will reimburse you for the declared value of the package.

Bolivian postal service: alternatives

The Bolivian postal service, ECOBOL, has been described as slow, unorganized, and unreliable. In 2018, ECOBOL shut down indefinitely, leaving behind a large volume of undelivered mail. This event highlighted the inefficiencies of the postal system, which had been a source of frustration for locals and expats alike.

As a result, Bolivians have had to find alternative methods for sending and receiving mail, especially for time-sensitive and important documents. Here are some of the alternatives:

International Courier Companies

International courier companies like Federal Express (FedEx), DHL, UPS, and TNT offer delivery services in Bolivia. These companies provide reliable local, national, and international services. They offer advantages such as package tracking and timely delivery, which are not always guaranteed by the local postal service.

Encomiendas

The encomiendas system involves sending parcels on passenger buses to their destinations. This method is commonly used for transferring everyday goods and is a workaround for the unreliable postal system.

Enviadores

Enviadores are entry-level employees hired specifically to transport official documents and bureaucratic paperwork within a city. This service has emerged due to the need for timely and secure delivery of important documents.

Online Communication

Where possible, Bolivians prefer to send messages online. Email and messaging platforms like Whatsapp have gained popularity as a means of communication, reducing the reliance on physical mail.

Couriercruz

Couriercruz is a local courier service that specializes in deliveries within the city of Santa Cruz and between other Bolivian cities. This type of local courier provides an alternative for those who need quick and efficient delivery services without the higher costs of international couriers.

Sending packages over 2kg to Bolivia

Addressing and Labelling

When sending a package to Bolivia, it is important to include the recipient's full name, street address (including street name and number), city and department name (e.g. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz), and the country (Bolivia). Additionally, it is helpful to include the recipient's local phone number and to specify "SOUTH AMERICA" on the package to ensure it reaches the correct destination.

When addressing packages from Bolivia to other countries, it is recommended to include the country name in Spanish and the continent name as well. For example, instead of writing "Amsterdam, The Netherlands," write "Amsterdam, Holanda, Europa."

Courier Services

The Bolivian Postal Service, known as Empresa de Correos de Bolivia or ECOBOL, has been described as slow, disorganized, and unreliable. As an alternative, there are international courier companies operating in Bolivia, such as Federal Express (FedEx), DHL, UPS, and TNT, that provide more efficient and reliable services. These companies offer door-to-door delivery and package tracking options.

Customs Forms and Regulations

For packages weighing over 2kg, you need to go to a special section of the post office called ENCOMIENDAS. You will need to fill out a customs declaration form, stating the contents of your package, its weight, and value. Certain items are prohibited from being sent to Bolivia, including firearms, drugs, liquids, cash, coins, and certain food items. It is important to check with your local post office or courier service for the most up-to-date information on prohibited items.

Additionally, used clothing must be accompanied by a certificate of disinfection issued by a competent authority, or it must be sent through a company with disinfection facilities.

Packaging and Weight Limits

When sending packages over 2kg, you need to leave the package open for inspection by the post office employee. After completing the necessary paperwork and paying the postage, the post office employee will seal the package for you.

Courier companies such as FedEx offer international shipping services with weight limits of up to 68 kg per package. Their services include door-to-door delivery, customs clearance, and money-back guarantees.

Insurance and Tracking

To ensure the safety of your package, it is recommended to send it via registered mail, which requires a signature upon delivery. In the event that the package does not arrive, the post office will reimburse you for the declared value. Courier companies also offer package tracking options, allowing you to follow your package's journey to its destination.

Prohibited and restricted items to Bolivia

When sending mail to Bolivia, it is important to be aware of the prohibited and restricted items that cannot be sent through the mail. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has a set of rules regarding prohibited and restricted items that must be followed internationally, and each country has its own specific restrictions.

Prohibited Items:

• Arms and ammunition.
• Items that violate Bolivian trademark laws.
• Obscene or immoral books, pamphlets, printed matter, paintings, illustrations, figures, and objects.
• Coins, banknotes, paper money, traveller's cheques, precious metals, precious stones, jewellery, and other valuable articles.
• Counterfeit or illegal currency, and advertisements imitating currency or postage stamps (except for philatelic or numismatic catalogues).
• Perishable infectious or non-infectious biological substances.
• Radioactive materials.
• Tobacco in any form, including cigarettes and cigarette papers or packaging.
• Unregistered edible food items and agricultural products, including pesticides and veterinary medicines.
• Unregistered pharmaceutical products and formulas.
• Merchandise that threatens the security of the Bolivian state and/or the financial-economic system, such as foreign lottery tickets, explosives, and certain used clothing and accessories.
• Vehicles, vehicle parts, and accessories that are prohibited by other regulations, including those with diesel oil engines, right-wheel steering, or specific age restrictions for certain vehicle classes.
• Decomposing or contaminated edible products.
• Animals or vegetables affected by illness or plague.
• Waste from radioactive substances or other residuals, as well as other dangerous waste.
• Ozone-damaging substances.

Restricted Items:

• Pharmaceutical and medicinal products must be approved by the Bolivian health authorities. It is recommended to check with the addressee before mailing to ensure the desired medicine will be admitted.
• Used clothing must be accompanied by a certificate of disinfection issued by a competent authority or a firm with disinfection facilities. The sender must endorse the wrapper of the shipment to indicate the inclusion of the disinfection certificate.
• A commercial invoice signed by a Bolivian consulate is required for shipments exceeding $100 in value. The invoice must follow Bolivian consular regulations.
• An import permit is required when the value of a shipment exceeds $500.

Frequently asked questions