Sending Christmas present to Philippines

[user1]

I bought a kindle a couple of weeks ago, thought that it would make an ideal Christmas present for my girlfriend.

Now I am looking to send it and it seems a bit more complicated than I had thought it would be for a fairly cheap item, with customs forms and maybe import duties etc.

Maybe I am overthinking it and should just stick it in a box with an address label, but I want to make sure that she doesn't have to pay any import duties, I want to make sure it gets there, and as it is a gift I would like it to stay wrapped up and a surprise until Christmas day.

Anyone have any advice or experience about the best way to send such a gift?

[grahamw48]

It'll probably get nicked somewhere en route anyway.

Personally I'd order her something off Lazada (Philippines), and have them deliver it, and duty-free.

Or... less romantic... send her the cash through Worldremit or similar.

[cheekee]

Also she will get taxed on it's arrival. I remember sending my wife a mobile phone back when we were dating and she was in cebu. They charged her a fortune in tax. I had to send her the money to have it released.

[grahamw48]

Yeah... embarrassing,

Like sending someone a letter or parcel with no stamp, and they have to pay the post office themselves to receive it.

[Terpe]

I fully agree with what has been suggested......send cash rather than a purchased item....it's for all the reasons stated above.....as far as I recall there will be issues sending gadgets with Lithium battery unless rules have changed.

Cash is King