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Latvian American Shipping Line (LASL) provides a small package service from the United States to Latvia. (Please note: Since May of 2004 Latvia has been a member of the European Union, and abides by customs regulations established by the EU.) We accept personal packages for individuals in Latvia up to 45 euro = 60 USD, 4/09). Packages may be personally delivered or sent by UPS or the U.S. Postal Service to our office or warehouse. We also collect packages at Latvian centers throughout the midwest, along the eastern seaboard and in southern California four times a year: in March/February, April/May, August and October/November, although the Midwest package collections will exclude the August pickup. Please see our schedule for the next package dates and locations. Delivery in Latvia takes 4-6 weeks from the sailing date. LASL delivers to any address in Latvia. Upon delivery, we obtain a signature from the recipient and the signed receipt is returned to the shipper. We also offer insurance.

According to Latvian postal regulations (as of 5/1/04 when Latvia entered the European Union), an individual may receive a personal package valued up to 45 Euro without having to pay import duties. Personal packages may be sent to individuals at private addresses. Such packages typically consist of an assortment of food and hygiene items or some articles of clothing. If clothing or footwear is used, a "garage sale" price may be indicated and the item should be described as "used". Prescription medicines, aspirin or over-the counter medications, vitamins and alcohol and firearms are not to be included in personal packages. Please do not enclose money in the packages. To send money, we recommend Baltic Financial Services.

Persons shipping packages are kindly asked to obtain a registration form and registration number for each package they wish to ship. Please itemize the contents on the registration form and indicate the true value for all items. Values should be declared in euros. To obtain the euro equivalent of USD: $1 x .60 = euro value (4/09). Costs include: $1.25/lb. (with a minimum charge of $40.00 for the total shipment) plus first box delivery charges of $19 for Riga addresses and $26 for rural addresses. Delivery for each additional box (Riga and rural) is $16. Delivery is automatically added to each shipment.

Please go to 'small package service schedule' for a listing of eastern seaboard and midwest package pick-up addresses and dates. Packages may also be sent by UPS/USPS to our warehouse address:

Latvian American Shipping Line
530 Duncan Ave.,
Jersey City, NJ 07306-6704 USA

Regulations for shipments of humanitarian aid to institutions differ from personal package shipments. Please contact us for further information on shipments to schools, hospitals, orphanages.

Please see below for sample cost calculations, as well as a cost comparison with the new US Postal System rates.


Example #1: One 35 lb package to Jurmala: LASL: 35 lbs x $1.25 = $43.75 Delivery: $26.00 Total: $69.75	vs.	US Postal Service: $137.25 (priority international rate)

Example #2: Three 9 lb packages to one address in Daugavpils: LASL: 27 lbs x $1.25 = $40.00 (minimum rate applied) Delivery: $26 +$16 +$16 = $58.00 Total cost: $98.00	vs.	US Postal Service: 3 x $37= $111.00 with flat rate priority boxes (-x-x-x)

Example #3: One 25 lb package to Riga: LASL: 25 lbs x $1.25 = $40.00 (minimum rate applied) Delivery: $19.00 Total cost: $59.00	vs.	US Postal Service: $101.25

In summary: guidelines for PERSONAL PACKAGE shipments:

LASL will clear customs and deliver packages that conform to the following parameters:

Max. value of contents per package is 45 euro ($60 USD as of 4/09)
One package per recipient.
Max. of four packages per address: (ex: one to husband, one to wife, one to son, one to daughter.)
Max weight of package is 40 lbs
Max dimensions of package: 24” x 36” x 36”

Questions? Please call Anita at (973) 744-6565 x. 5 or (201) 760-6427.
Her fax: (973) 746-7222
and e-mail: pakas@lasl.com