Many have inquired as to what we miss or need from "home" so we have put together this information to help those who wish to support us in this way. Please read the following guidelines before sending a package, and check back often as we will be updating them as we gain more experience.
- Please fill out the customs forms provided by the shipping company as completely and accurately as possible.
- Vanuatu charges a Value-added Tax (12.5%) and Duty (5-45%) on all items that are shipped into the country. Thankfully, the Custom's Dept has determined that packages valued under 10,000 vatu are exempt from these charges. With the current exchange rate, that means packages valued under USD$85 will not have these fees. Thus, we request that all packages be valued at less than $85.
- USPS, FedEx, DHL and UPS are the available means of shipping items from the States. USPS is the cheapest, but does not offer any type of tracking services as the other three do. We have found the postal system to be fairly reliable, but a few packages have arrived very late.
- As of June 2007, surface shipping is no longer available. Typically, air parcels/letters arrive in 12-15 days.
- To our knowledge, the best deal available is flat-rate shipping. Flat-rate boxes are available (for free) from the USPS, and come in two sizes: 11 x 8.5 x 5.5 and 11 3/8 x 3 3/8 x 13 5/8. The maximum weight is 20lbs, and the shipping cost is $37. (E.g. a 10lb package shipped via "USPS Priority Mail" would be $58.30). Click here to see Vanuatu-specific shipping costs and restrictions for USPS.
- If you are shipping anything glass, please wrap the item(s) extremely well. We have received a few packages with broken glass.
- If your package requires some filling, please consider using Wal-Mart type plastic bags or paper towels, as they are very useful to us.
- All packages may be sent to us at:
[Missionary's Name]
PO Box 2061
Port Vila
Vanuatu
