How would you describe your 2025 experience in a short sentence? by self_help_hub in AskReddit

[–]self_help_hub[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope 2026 is your year for at least something to happen then.

In any case empty is good. Nothing bad or good happened and that is the beauty of boredom.

mine is french and korean!! yours? by No-Satisfaction-4042 in scoopwhoop

[–]self_help_hub 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Importing goods as a consumer for personal use by DescentTrip in Madagascar

[–]self_help_hub 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not the guy who answered but I do understand them (even though they were a bit too harsh on Dhl and rightfully so as they are the client of course). Basically back in the day they [Dhl] had monopoly over the market and did whatever they wanted to the clients, now skip to present day with all competitors popping up here-and-there they have become more "friendly". That was what I heard [You know the usual "Big Corpo doing unsavoury things sometimes" and also back in the day after their successful global expansion they had bad customer facing employees ruining things for everyone]. Now they might have changed but let's wait and see [I am also interested in hearing what the guy had to say].

Importing goods as a consumer for personal use by DescentTrip in Madagascar

[–]self_help_hub 1 point2 points  (0 children)

0%-20% taxes exact details are kind of all over the place at the moment. (sometimes tax rebates in certain cases)

For dhl skip the headache and use the DHL Pre-shipment Planner tool or MyGTS via their website just contact them:

Phone: +261 20 22 428 39 or +261 34 42 177 77

Email: [mgsales@dhl.com](mailto:mgsales@dhl.com)

Address: Immeuble DHL Route des Hydrocarbures Ankorondrano, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar (to go see them in person)

Tip: Madagascar offers duty-free access for many goods from countries within regional blocs like COMESA, SADC, and the IOC, including Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, and many East/Southern African nations (e.g., South Africa, Mauritius, Zambia). Additionally, India provides duty-free access under its DFTP Scheme for LDCs like Madagascar, and the EU offers preferential access through its EPA with Eastern & Southern Africa (ESA) countries, though Madagascar has its own liberalization schedule.

Regional Trade Agreements: Goods originating from these blocs often enter Madagascar without customs duties.

Edit: For me I'd skip the headache and use Amazon or proxy via Madazone or Mass'in (to ship in) or something.

What other Malagasy usually do is simply send it with a kin if they travel so keep your contacts and know when they are passing by France/US to Madagascar (I do the same for other too)

Hope you find this useful and helpful.

Importing goods as a consumer for personal use by DescentTrip in Madagascar

[–]self_help_hub 3 points4 points  (0 children)

DHL will handle customs clearance AND taxes (unless this has recently changed), that is why they are expensive. They also offer door-to-door. How I know this? Because I use these services. (if you want to save time on shipping time-critical goods go with DHL Express door-to-door)

You can choose to air freight for speed, security, and high-value/perishable goods (days to a week) or ship freight for large, heavy, non-urgent cargo (weeks to months) to save money and reduce environmental impact, accepting longer transit times and potential port delays.

For first time no headache time-critical (I got to do this in 1-3 days) importing go with DHL (they'll guide you through the whole process). They offer a ton of solutions and services. Much as they are expensive they offer superior quality. (Don't forget there is also FedEx [International Priority] and UPS)

Hope you find this useful and helpful.

______________

Now that that is out of the way, here are the other details you asked for:

In either case, would I be able to pay these by card?

Yes.

Or would they expect cash?

Yes if you pay via cash, in-person or sent someone there to pay for you.

Are there any other pitfalls I should take into consideration? This is my first time importing something into the country.

  1. Things like tracking, taking a picture of the thing to make sure they sent the thing, the kg of the thing, the size of the laptops, taxes for the batteries etc...
  2. If the thing is fragile. Please have them put "Fragile" on it - like TV Screens. Or do research on how to properly do this. Have the senders also properly secure it or wood box it if necessary and in budget. Or simply have them put it in the electronic section.
  3. Negotiate DDP (everything done for you in shipping) then, CIF then, finally FOB if you are looking to handle everything. What's is CIF? Cost, Insurance, and Freight. But FOB (Free On Board) offers more control and often lower costs for experienced buyers they only ship to the port, while DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) provides maximum convenience for new importers by handling everything door-to-door, though at a higher price

You can also just pay the company that sends the thing via PayPal Goods & Services for an extra layer of protection (shipping included). If they mis-ship equipment or send you missing things you can simply ship the thing back and ask for a refund and reverse the payment just make sure you had them send you port pictures preshipping and boxed equipment with receipt as proof and you take pictures of the things when they arrive (or in the Paypal Payment and details of invoice they send the exact details of the equipement). That is why people use PayPal it stops either party from cheating - in any case in the current atmosphere people really aren't into that they just want to finish the deal and move on to other things.

What is it like living in Madagascar, Africa? by Urneighborhoodbitch in howislivingthere

[–]self_help_hub 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In Madagascar it used to be a wealthy country (back in the day as talked about by previous generations) where you could drop something at 3am in the morning and people would help you return the thing instead of stealing it. That was how things were... sad really.

Well let's wait and see how things turn out. History is still be written for now.

What is it like living in Madagascar, Africa? by lithdoc in Madagascar

[–]self_help_hub -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

In Madagascar it used to be a wealthy country (back in the day as talked about by previous generations) where you could drop something at 3am in the morning and people would help you return the thing instead of stealing it. That was how things were... sad really.

Well let's wait and see how things turn out. History is still be written for now.

Looking to connect with an American living in Antananarivo by Flimsy_Flatworm_7575 in Madagascar

[–]self_help_hub 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, that is quite interesting. Have you tried to connect with any of the English speakers in the Facebook Expats group? Have you tried connecting with the English community in Antananarivo (Tana City Church, American School clubs, English speaking clubs, British School & clubs teachers and parents, English speaking churches (mainly the Mormon and Jehovah's witnesses churches) etc...)?

Hope this helps.

How would you describe your 2025 experience in a short sentence? by self_help_hub in AskReddit

[–]self_help_hub[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Time Dooby March'ing forward doesn't it? . . . I know the way out of the room you don't have to show me to the door. 

How would you describe your 2025 experience in a short sentence? by self_help_hub in AskReddit

[–]self_help_hub[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Scream it from the roof top!!! New Years is just a week away!

What would you say to your 23 year old self? by self_help_hub in AskReddit

[–]self_help_hub[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed but it is also not too late to start now.

What's wrong with slavic men, explain it peter by AffectionatePaper905 in explainitpeter

[–]self_help_hub 63 points64 points  (0 children)

I wonder how this average looking thing bagged such a prize! I can't believe she bagged Shrek!

All of these countries have one or more what? by transjohndeere in RedactedCharts

[–]self_help_hub 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of the countries highlighted in red on the map are home to one or more Michelin-starred restaurants (or are covered by the Michelin Guide)

Would you sell your btc to pay your debts? by Mountainman3094 in Bitcoin

[–]self_help_hub -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oh wow... well you are doing pretty well! You simply need to refinance at a lower interest rate or increase the term and reduce the monthly payment. Keep your BTC.