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Important Docs Mail to Santiago?

Replies: 2 - Last Post: Sep 20, 2012 1:56 PM Last Post By: nwdiver

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tangopants

tangopants avatar

Sep 17, 2012 3:39 PM
Posts:  5

Important Docs Mail to Santiago?

So I was recently robbed (argh!) and lost my debit/bank card. Fortunately I still have my only credit card...but now I'm feeling skittish in SA and would feel much safer to have my "backup" again.

Unfortunately, my bank refuses to courier my new card directly to me (they can only do that with cc's) and it will take 1-2 weeks from now to get to my HOME address, and another who-knows how long to have a friend courier that to SA. I have no desire to extend my stay in Buenos Aires another 1-2 weeks to wait and my current itinerary doesn't "really" put me in me in one place for an extended period of time.

UNLESS: I'm planning 3-5 days on Easter Island. Can anybody think of a way I would set up a 1-time PO box in Santiago when I first arrive, have my card couriered from Canada to Santiago while I'm on Easter Island, and then pick it up on return? Are there post offices or services that do that? That anybody has actually used?

Any tips/advice would be MOST appreciated (other than "don't get robbed again")

ban_janti_return

ban_janti_return avatar

Sep 18, 2012 10:39 AM
Posts:  1,832

1

You don't need a PO box, you just need to use Poste Restante / Lista de Correos
All you need is to address your letter to GPO in Santiago, but we warned that receiving mail is painfully slow.
I had similar problem as you and I ended up waiting 3 weeks to get it. Courier is more expensive, but much quicker and reliable. If you sent if by tnt / fedex / upc etc....you'll have your card in 3-4 days.
When using courier just use address of a hotel you'll be staying.

nwdiver

nwdiver avatar

Sep 20, 2012 1:56 PM
Posts:  244

2

None of the services will courier to a PO Box or a Post Office. Try “Express Post” to Post Restante at Santiago’s main post office, which should take 3-4 days tops. Have your friend mark it as legal documents hold for pickup. There will be no customs issues, just don’t mention bank card, also have them put in several pages of documents so the bank card isn’t rattling about in the envelope.
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