How to send Prescription meds left in San Jose CR to Laredo TX?

Hi Susan,

Shipping medications of any kind nowadays with drug trafficking so prevailant is extremely problematic. First you will need to make sure that the medication (by drug/chemical name) is not on the banned list in the receiving country. Second it should be in its ORIGINAL prescription bottle with your name and prescribing doctor's name clearly marked on it. Third it must be accompained by a copy (original or certified copy) of the prescription that was given by the doctor.

Even if you do all these things it still is no guarantee that they will be accepted for shipping; or not be detained by Customs upon arrival. They will also quite likely be opened and tested to make sure they are what they claim to be, this would effectively destroy them completely. If the drug is NOT approved where you are now, you wouldn't even be able to bring it back into the country if you went back and got it either.

My best advice is to forget the whole idea and get a new prescription wherever you are. In the end it will probably be less expensive anyway and it will certainly save you a whole lot of headaches.

Cheers,
William James Woodward - Brazil Animator, Expat-blog Team

COFEPRIS the arm of Aduana that enforces health laws inspects all incoming shipments, via post, DHL, UPS, FedEx, et al. Unfortunately they will seize all shipments of medications, herbs, vitamins, etc. When any item at all regards to health is found it is retained in Mexico City forever until a person travels to DF, hires a customs broker and pays the broker, the entry fee, plus 16% IVA. Takes 6 working days. If you have doubts about what I am posting here, access COFEPRIS.com.mx on Google search and then see just how severe a bureaucracy Mexico really is. Have a friend hand-carry the meds or kiss them off. You'll just waste money on postage.

For what it's worth, my only experience with this type of shipment was from the US to Mexico.  I have a private mailbox in Texas and that company also offers package service through a Mexican company Estafeta.  As I understand it they run the packages into Reynosa, Mexico and deal with Mexican Customs for a fee separate from the shipping charges.  The fee is based on the value of the shipment.

A quick Google leads me to believe Estafeta has branches in Costa Rica.  A call to Estafeta in the US or Mexico or CR may just get the problem solved.  Alternatively, you might try contacting a customs broker in CR.

Good luck.

In December, 2 bottles of magnesium supplement (minerals) was confiscated by Aduana in Nogales after being purchased in Tucson and shipped via Estafeta. U.S. Customs, said to me clearly and pointed to a sign on the wall of the office: Rx medications regardless of source can only enter the USA in the direct possession of the owner. Includes USA origin Rx medications directed to the owner's address. Freakin' strict rules.

Mail boxes Etc. Has couriors that go between the branches in Mexico to There US location in Laredo. You might try that

When there is a will, there is a way. Contact local customs brokers or logistics companies in Mexico and explain your situation. You can get your meds. I get mine shipped from NOB and they are controlled prescriptions in Mexico & the U.S. Just be sure that all the original labels, packaging,  invoices and or receipts are included with your meds, and be sure that the correct taxes and fees are paid according to what the meds are worth, and you shouldn't have a problem, unless the broker or logistics company does not know what they are doing, or you try to fudge the shipment invoices.
  My logistics company uses a Laredo, Texas PMB, and they hand carry all items, including meds, across the border, and take care of all fees and taxes, according to what I claim on my invoice.
   Some people will say that you can get your meds in Mexico for the same or less than what you pay NOB, but , you know your circumstances. It is cheaper for me to have mine sent than to buy here. I still have U.S. health insurance , so my co-pay is still less than what they cost here. Until I get Mexico insurance, shipping my meds are still cheaper.
  Best of luck.

Hi,

Care to share a name of a "logistics company" who can import, pay duty, and then send them on their way with ESTAFETA? The "Customs Brokers" I talked with in San Ysidro, and Mexicali, said "Ni Modo Señor!" for Rx medications. And a whole host of other banned items, including seeds for herbs, chemicals (like spray aflojo todo). I would like to do this but I have been thwarted. After more than 10 attempts I am frustrated.

Check your message or PM me./

Mailboxes USA in McAllen, TX handled two shipments for me last year with no problem.

I did not mentioned above, I mail ordered the prescriptions from a leading US pharmacy and had them sent to my PMB at Mailboxes USA.  As such, they had all the paperwork necessary to carry the prescriptions across the border, pay whatever duty they had to and ship through Estafeta.  If I remember correctly, the fee for the service was 5% of the price of the medications plus Estafeta's shipping charge.

At the time, the specific medication and dosage was not available in Mexico and there was no way to us other dosages to get what my US doctor prescribed.

Since then, I am able to get all but one medication in Mexico without a prescription at prices lower than Medicare Part D. premiums, copays and donut hole costs.  Next year I'll probably drop Medicare prescription prices.

I take a Xanax at the start of an overnight plane or bus trip.  You need a prescription for it in Mexico.  I was able to get one from a "Consulta Medica" doctor at a drugstore.  The doctor charged an extra fee of $20 for the prescription.  It was still cheaper than seeing a private doctor.

You are out of luck. Mexico is no longer allowing anyone to import drugs from the U.S. to Mexico. This situation has complicated many peoples' lives. This includes the mail, currier services,and private mail services.
C. Hammond