importing
I’m learning about one of the small ways the Argentine government is staying afloat:
A FedEx man arrived at my door today with a package from the US, containing my digital camera. He apologized for his delay, saying that he had come yesterday, but had not been able to find my 22-story building. I wasn’t bothered by this, seeing as how the package was mailed on Tuesday and arrived two days later. Pretty fast, in my opinion, but I guess you should expect good service when you pay $70 for shipping.
Then the delivery man handed me a bill for 416 pesos. He told me that was the sum of the various import taxes that apply even though the camera is my property, being sent to me by my parents.
If I added up all my money in the house, I probably had just over 1 peso, so I couldn’t have paid the man even if I had wanted to. He took back the package and I called Federal Express to protest. They are looking into the matter and will call me back later today, but I can’t say I’m optimistic about my chances of evading this payment.
Considering the amount already paid for this shipping, this cost is approximately equivalent to what you would pay for half a round-trip plane ticket from New York to Buenos Aires. I.e, for the cost of shipping one camera, you could fly here with two huge suitcases and a carry-on bag full of cameras.
Another perspective: To earn enough money to cover these shipping costs, you would have to work more than sixteen weeks at minimum wage in Buenos Aires.
A FedEx man arrived at my door today with a package from the US, containing my digital camera. He apologized for his delay, saying that he had come yesterday, but had not been able to find my 22-story building. I wasn’t bothered by this, seeing as how the package was mailed on Tuesday and arrived two days later. Pretty fast, in my opinion, but I guess you should expect good service when you pay $70 for shipping.
Then the delivery man handed me a bill for 416 pesos. He told me that was the sum of the various import taxes that apply even though the camera is my property, being sent to me by my parents.
If I added up all my money in the house, I probably had just over 1 peso, so I couldn’t have paid the man even if I had wanted to. He took back the package and I called Federal Express to protest. They are looking into the matter and will call me back later today, but I can’t say I’m optimistic about my chances of evading this payment.
Considering the amount already paid for this shipping, this cost is approximately equivalent to what you would pay for half a round-trip plane ticket from New York to Buenos Aires. I.e, for the cost of shipping one camera, you could fly here with two huge suitcases and a carry-on bag full of cameras.
Another perspective: To earn enough money to cover these shipping costs, you would have to work more than sixteen weeks at minimum wage in Buenos Aires.
previously there was pointing fingers
afterwards you have no hay luz
This is a remarkable web page - I've never seen anything like it. I'm impressed that it allows your family and friends to track your travels. (Where are the basement slide shows of the future?) Clearly your photography talents continue to get practice. The photos are excellent. Your story lets me remember the perspective I will greet with respect to other economies when I go south. I am now committed as an assistant to the Wycliffe Bible Translators mission in Comitancillo, Guatemala (10 days next September). A descendent culture of the Mayan Indians, whose language is just greeting text for the first time. 200 children in the "Kids Club" that Gander area missionaries started 6 years ago. Is your trip lasting this long? I hope all goes well for you. Brian [submitted on 30 Nov 02]