I just found out about this cool service of Aramex. It is called Aramex Shop&Ship.

Basically, you pay Aramex 130 dirhams once, and they allot you a US and a UK PO Box, and then you can do your online shopping even from websites that don't ship internationally. Aramex will then ship it to you whereever you are in the UAE. Your US and UK PO Boxes are yours forever!

I don't know how many people are aware of this service. But I think it's a practical alternative since electronics in the UAE have higher prices than in US or UK. This is very practical for people like me who prefer to order online.

This is how it works:

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Using your Shop&Ship mailbox   You can start using your mailbox address in the US or the UK as soon as you subscribe to Shop&Ship and receive your personal mailing address. Every item you receive at your mailing address will be scanned and the information will be uploaded on the system so you can know what is inside your mailbox. The packages and correspondence in your mailbox will be collected and forwarded to you depending on the outbound flight shipping schedule. The moment your mailbox contents are shipped out, you will be able to monitor your shipment online until it arrives at the Aramex office in your city Aramex will notify you via SMS messaging and/or telephone as soon as your mailbox contents arrive at your country of residence. Shop&Ship offers you convenience and affordable prices backed by the reliability and efficiency of Aramex.

They ship everything except the following: Acetone, Alcohol, Ammunition, Batteries, Camping Gas, Cash, Currency, Collectible Stamps, Coins, Cigarette Lighters, Cleaning Fluids, Cosmetics, Drugs, Prohibited by Law, Explosives, Fire Extinguishers, Firearms and Accessories, Fireworks, Flammable Liquids, Fresh Flowers, Gas Cylinders, Gases, Glue, Hazardous Material, Human Parts and Remains, Inflammable Items, Lighter Fuel, Liquid Products, Liquid Compressed and Spray Hair Products such as Shampoo, Hair Gel and Mousse, Live Animals including Birds, Reptiles and Fish, Paint Remover, Paint Thinner, Perfumes, Perishables, Perishable Food Stuffs and Food Beverages Requiring Refrigeration or Other Environmental Control, Pesticides, Pornographic Material, Tobacco, Toxic and Poisonous Products, Weapons and Knives.  

Once a package is shipped from their US or UK offices, it takes 4-6 days to be delivered to you, provided that your shipment clears customs without being delayed or stopped by customs for any reason.

Aramex's charge for shop&ship shipment:

First half kilogram - AED 39
Subsequent half kilograms - AED 30

5% customs duty charges will be advised upon evaluation if the shipment will be dutiable. Maximum weight for each piece is 25 kilograms.

Even if you pay for shop&ship charges, you will still save more.

Please visit this website for more info:
http://www.aramex.com/shopandship

I've already subscribed today. Aramex has a Ramadan offer of 50% off in subscrïption fee, so I only paid 65 dirhams!    

--Last edited by Jeff Arigo on 2008-09-04 17:07:09 --

this is a very good opportunity if you want to buy something from US & UK you will get more less than the normal rates of delivery. thanks jeff for this good information

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Jay Mark Rustia wrote : this is a very good opportunity if you want to buy something from US & UK you will get more less than the normal rates of delivery. thanks jeff for this good information

You're welcome, Jay.

Look, I now got my US and UK addresses

Jeffrey Ramirez Arigo/ AUH 3011
147-29 182nd Street
Springfield Gardens,NY 11413

Jeffrey Ramirez Arigo/ AUH 2673
Aramex House Old Bath Road
Slough,Berkshire SL3 0NS

You got 1/3 Filipino, 1/3 American, and 1/3 English member here!    

--Last edited by Jeff Arigo on 2008-09-04 17:18:08 --

Hi Jeff, thank you for the very useful info. I have a sister in US and we always wonder how she can send some of her stuff to UAE without having to pay more than the value of the goods.  

Thanks Jeff.. if find this very helpful as I normally pay more than the double just for the shipment.

Take note, the terms and condition statement does not mention that, if the purchase value of the product you just bought exceeds USD 270  you have to pay customs duty equivalent to 5% of the cost purchased.. If possible you have to inform the vendor to under value your products when shipping. I doubt if it is possible.

I got this info from aramex.  

--Last edited by pelagio castro on 2008-09-09 20:44:35 --

Yes this is true. It actually depends on the content of the shipment. Educational materials, for example, are non-dutiable. Electronics are dutiable, that's for sure.

I doubt if you can tell the shipper to undervalue the content of the shipment. And even if you can, it's also risky to your part as it might affect you when the need to claim damage in / loss of / shortage in shipment arise. Correct value of the item is also crucial when availing product warranty, so I don't recommend undervaluing any item.

Anyway, 5% is still low. 50 dollars is not a big amount for someone who can purchase something worth 1,000 dollars. Just do your computation before purchasing online to know whether you'll save more if you'll buy an item from US/UK plus shipping and taxes or whether you'll save more if you'll just buy from here.