What Color is Democracy?

[Jzmackenzie]

Many of us have left the USA as a way to exercise more freedom of choice. Each of us has our own reasons for seeing Mexico as an option to live with less stress.

Last week, I posted my concerns about the inability of my husband to have his service-connected disability medications mailed to him in Mexico. The trade-off is that when he arrived here he was taking eleven - he is now (with less stress) taking only four. We cannot find three of them here (so far). Instead, we will drive (time and money) into possible unrest of border issues and perhaps be exposed to flu germs to get what he needs. We may bring back desirable medications and problematic germs.

Years ago, I was not able to get a free-wheelchair in for a disabled child tomorrow is may be a life-saving device. In a perfect world, two female diplomats (US/MX) would work out a way to ship health-related items over the border in a way that kept both countries happy. In my mind, that is what a democracy would do to make the lives of her citizens less stressful and more humanitarian focused.

[The Duck]

What am I missing? I don't get this at all - how is it tied to color? do we have more freedom of choice because we are in MX? and why two female diplomats have anything to do with the relationship between "democracy" and the shipment of medicines/health supplies?

[ohpaco]

Unfortunately, governments (all) do not exist to enhance the lives of the citizenry - but to ensure the government's own continued survival and power. Those who believe in the benevolence of government are living in a fantasy. :(

[J Anoni]

I have no idea about the colors of democracy, however I can relay some advice concerning shipping of medication to Mexico:

I have had medication shipped to Mexico seven times from four different origin countries. (Germany, Pakistan, USA, and Canada) Each time I simply proceeded with my order, seeking permission from nobody, and choosing a shipping method equal to USPS, or the the National Postal Service of the particular origin country involved, thus making the final carrier the Mexican Postal Service. This is very important. Choosing some other expedited mail service such as UPS, DHL, or Fedex could or will involve problems and/or duties. The medication must not be a controlled substance in Mexico. Each time my meds arrived without duty as is the case with any item, as long as the National Postal Service of the origin country, and the Mexican Postal Service are used.

[peddler665]

You may wish to get to know some of us part timers.
I have had friends & acquiescence bring down non narcotic drugs for me & have done the same for others.
I have even taken home lower cost drugs for friends something that was a bit iffy under past administrations but seems to no longer be a problem since '09.

[mr bill]

J - that's very good info. How recent was your latest shipment?

[J Anoni]

Bill, the last shipment was at the beginning of July of 2012. It was generic Celebrex ordered from a Canadian pharmacy, but the actual shipment origin country was from Germany. It arrived here without duty or any other problems.

I had been doing this for awhile, but what really confirmed it was when I was chatting with my local dentist and he mentioned that he had his anesthesia sent from Germany and always used the German Postal Service so that it would arrive here by Correos Mexicanos, and he would not pay duties that way. I stated that I also had received medications from abroad via Correos Mexicanos with no duty.

As a side note, I place many orders online, for many different items, and whenever possible I have the items sent by USPS from the States. All in all I have never paid any duties on any item but one, using USPS/Correos Mexicanos. I am talking about dozens of orders. That one item that I paid duty on was a pair of Nikon Binoculars with value of US$700. I actually had a flat screen TV delivered here from B&H Photo-Video in New York City, via USPS/Correos Mexicanos, and paid no duties.

On the other hand, in my experience, virtually 100% of orders sent here involving UPS, DHL, or Fedex, have incurred duties, on top of their exorbitant shipping fees.

I might add that if you have no other choice but to have an item shipped by UPS, DHL, or Fedex, and if the item is a large and costly item, I have had very good experience using Estafeta USA. You can google that. How it works is that you establish a shipping address with Estafeta USA at their Laredo, Texas warehouse. Then when you place your order you use the address of the Estafeta USA Laredo Warehouse as your shipping address. When the order arrives at the Warehouse, they take care of everything for you. Border crossing takes about 2 to 3 days, and the shipment arrives in Guanajuato in 1 to 2 days. The duties run 20%, Broker's fee is US$15, and insurance is 2%. The real savings are in the shipping fees which are about half of what the other expedited carriers are charging.

[The Duck]

I think J is on to something. If one were cautious a test run would be a good idea. Have a friend send to you by the suggested method some cheap generic aspirin or something in a bulk equal to what your meds would be to see what happens.

Estafeta - their service in Laredo is good. Anna Maria is very helpful and often the initial rate they quote you is higher than the actual charges. I always ship to me Ocurre GTO and pick up at their office vs. having to chase the truck around if I'm not home.

MEXPOST gets a bad rap and they know it hence the lime green uniforms etc. I have had the same postman for over a dozen years. He rings the bell [doesn't knock twice] if I have mail. Once my sister sent my stepson $20 cash in his birthdaycard. It didn't arrive in the usual two weeks. A month - 6-8 weeks later I forget the postman came, rang the bell and showed me a package wrapped in cellophane and explained " It wasn't us " Inside the mess were 10 $2 bills and a card.