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Shipping from Egypt - Souvenirs

Replies: 6 - Last Post: Feb 15, 2013 6:48 AM Last Post By: interprol

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Briar15

Briar15 avatar

Nov 16, 2012 9:00 AM
Posts:  13

Shipping from Egypt - Souvenirs

I would like to ship a big box of souvenirs from Cairo to the United States. The major shipping companies, like DHL and Fedex are outrageously overpriced. I want to use the government post office. I was wondering if anyone has any experience as to their reliability and the time it takes. Also, I really need to find a box to ship this stuff in. Any suggestions on how I can obtain a box since I was told they don't sell them at the post office here? Taking them on the plane is not an option as I'll be traveling through Asia for the next few months after I leave Egypt and can't carry them with me.

Simsy

Simsy avatar

Nov 17, 2012 12:03 AM
Posts:  652

1

I sent 3 parcels from Egypt to Australia 6 years ago.
Two arrived but the biggest and most important for me is now on the floor of an Egyptians home.

DHL and FEDEX are expensive as hell but the things sent DO arrive......
I wish I had spent the $150 it would have cost to send then DHL. Live and learn.

This was 6 years ago but things won't have changed too much.

Cheers.

Denmark8

Denmark8 avatar

Nov 19, 2012 3:08 AM
Posts:  62

2

Please DON"T USE government post office, I send a lot Egyptian books before 2 years ago, and no responds till today, I asked a lot but no body answer.

Briar15

Briar15 avatar

Nov 20, 2012 5:13 AM
Posts:  13

3

FedEX wants $800. I would love to just spend $150 or so, but that doesn't seem doable with the global companies.

chekhov

chekhov avatar

Nov 20, 2012 8:17 AM
Posts:  9

4

hi, I have shipped large parcels of books several times from Cairo.
The last time was last January - i shipped about 100 kilos in three or four parcels
It was quite cheap and the parcels arrived to their destination (northern Europe) within a couple of weeks. The big surprise was that airmail is cheaper than surface!
the rates will be higher for souvenirs because there is a subsidized printed book rate.
The place to send parcels from is the main post office in ramses square
they sell boxes there (and will require you to buy one of theirs, if i recall correctly)
expect to spend a lot of time- there's customs, export papers to fill out, etc. be patient!

Briar15

Briar15 avatar

Nov 21, 2012 3:50 AM
Posts:  13

5

I went with TNT Express on the advice of some expats who shipped stuff to the States and Europe a lot. I had 35kg of stuff, as I bought a few carpets, and it came out to about 2500 Egyptian pounds. Plus they did all the boxing and packing themselves, and it took me maybe 20 minutes. A little pricey but far below FedEx and DHL's estimates, and it'll arrive within 10 days guaranteed. I just heard too many horror stories about Egyptian post.

interprol

interprol avatar

Feb 15, 2013 6:48 AM
Posts:  11

6

just for the record at the end of January 2013 i shipped 50 kilos of books in 2 registered parcels - cost 25 EG£ per kilo + 7EG£ for the box + 10EG£ for the taping & sack. They all arrived in good shape in northern europe within 10 days of shipment. Airmail is cheaper than surface. This rate is only for books.
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