Sign Up:
Q) Can you explain more about the address I will receive? Is it a PO Box?
Q) What does it cost to sign up with Bongo International?
Q) What is Form 1583 and why do I have to fill it out?
Q) How long does the sign up process take?
Receiving and Storage:
Q) How do I get my purchases to my US Address at the Bongo International warehouse?
Q) How does Bongo know that the package they are receiving is for me?
Q) How long does it take Bongo to update my mailbox with incoming shipments?
Q) Can Bongo take pictures of my items so that I know what it looks like before having the package shipped to me?
Q) What is "consolidation?"
Q) How long can I store my items at my US Address?
Shipping:
Q) How does Bongo know what to ship me and when?
Q) Are there any countries that Bongo does not serve?
Q) Do you offer shipping services within the US?
Q) Are my packages insured?
Q) How long will it take for me to receive my packages?
Q) Does the size of a shipment impact the shipping cost?
Q) How long does it take for Bongo to send a package once I put in my request to have it sent to me?
Q) Can you mark my item as a gift or reduce the value of it to help me avoid duties and taxes?
Q) How are the exact values of my purchase determined by Bongo International?
Rates / Billing:
Q) Are there any start-up or sign-up fees?
Q) How are you able to provide such a competitive price for international shipping?
Q) Do you charge any fees to consolidate multiple items into one box?
Q) What does it cost to sign up with Bongo International?
Q) Can I pay by check or money order?
Q) Is Bongo International's price all inclusive? Does it include duties and taxes?
Customer Service:
Q) How long will it take for Bongo to respond to customer service inquiries through your "Support" function?
Micellaneous:
Q) Many US Retailers won't accept my international credit card. Is there any way around this?
Q) Can you explain more about the address I will receive? Is it a PO Box?
A) Each client of ours receives a unique address within the warehouse. The address is not a PO Box, common carriers and the USPS are able to deliver to your address (customers are required to fill out a form and provide identification in order for us to receive USPS). Your address will look similar to:
Jane Doe
# 31087
315 Seaview Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06607
Q) What does it cost to sign up with Bongo International?
A) Bongo offers several subscription options, two choices for individuals and 1 for businesses. You can review the subscriptions and additional information on how we bill here. Please note that subscription options carry a 3 month minimum commitment.
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Q) What is Form 1583 and why do I have to fill it out?
A) Form 1583 is a form that the United States Post Office requires Bongo International to file in order to be your mail receiving agent. This is the only way we can send and receive packages from the USPS on your behalf. Customers who wish to accept deliveries from the USPS MUST fill out this form. A prepopulated 1583 form will be provided upon sign up.
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Q) How long does the sign up process take?
A) The sign up process can be completed within 1 business day.
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Q) How do I get my purchases to my US address at the Bongo International warehouse?
A) When you make a purchase from a US retailer, you request them to send the shipment domestically to the US address we have provided you with your account. You will need to make sure you give them your suite number. Otherwise, there can be a delay in the processing of your shipment. It is also important to contact your credit card company so you can add this address as a viable "ship to" address. This will allow US retailers to see our Bongo warehouse as a valid shipping address.
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Q) How does Bongo know that the package they are receiving is for me?
A) We request that you pre-notify Bongo through our website that a package has been sent to your US address. If the retailer provides you with the tracking number, please give this number to Bongo and we will track the shipment to our door and address any transit delays that may arise. If you don't pre-notify Bongo, then we still will know that the package is for you by the Suite number on the shipment.
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Q) How long does it take Bongo to update my mailbox with incoming shipments?
A) We strive to enter all information into your mailbox within 4 hours of receipt of your goods.
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Q) Can Bongo take pictures of my items so that I know what it looks like before having the package shipped to me?
A) Yes. Bongo will take digital pictures or scans of any items you would like prior to shipping. There is an additional cost of $.50 per image for this service.
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Q) What is "consolidation?"
A) Consolidation is the process of packaging multiple items into one Shipment. Bongo will create a commercial invoice that will list all of your items in the box along with their values. The package is then sealed and sent to it's final destination. Consolidation helps Bongo customers save a tremendous amount of money on shipping as the cost per pound decreases as the weight of a shipment increases. Calculate savings
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Q) How long can I store my items at my US Address?
A) We will hold items as long as you like on the condition that your account remains in good standing. We will hold items for 45 days free of charge. After that we charge $5 per week per item.
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Q) How does Bongo know what to ship me and when?
A) You tell us! Through your online site, you are able to pick and choose the products you want shipped and you tell us when to ship them. It is a very simple process.
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Q) Are there any countries that Bongo does not serve?
A) We provide service to 223 countries. However, there are a few that we do not service. Please click here to see our full listing of countries served.
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Q) Do you offer shipping services within the US?
A) Yes. We have competitive rates to ship within the US for Business Customer only.
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Q) Are my packages insured?
A) Inbound packages need to be insured by the shipper. When you process a shipment through your Bongo account to be forwarded to you, the insurance is already calculated to cover the total value of the goods. The cost to insure your shipment is 2% of the total value of your goods. You can choose not to insure the shipment by clicking the small red "X" on the confirmation page.
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Q) How long will it take for me to receive my packages?
A) Typical international transit is 2-3 days. However, there are some countries that will take longer to deliver to. Most of our packages are delivered within 5 days. You can look up transit times here.
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Q) Does the size of a shipment impact the shipping cost?
A) Yes, per industry standards Bongo International charges either the actual weight of a shipment or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater. Information on dimensional weight, also referred to as DIM weight can be found here.
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Q) How long does it take for Bongo to send a package once I put in my request to have it sent to me?
A) If your request is received before 4:00 Easter Standard Time, then the package will be sent out the same day. Any shipment request received after 4:00 will be processed the following day.
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Q) Can you mark my item as a gift or reduce the value of it to help me avoid duties and taxes?
A) No. It is against US regulations to inaccurately report the value of an exported item.
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Q) How are the exact values of my purchase determined by Bongo International?
A) We enter the value listed on the packing slip when the shipment is delivered to Bongo. If there is no packing slip in the box(s), then we will determine a fair market value for the goods or we will request the receipt from our customers.
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Q) Are there any start-up or sign-up fees?
A) There are no sign up fees for subscription customers, please note that the subscription services do carry a 3 month minimum commitment. Pay Per Use customers are subject to a $5 sign up fee.
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Q) How are you able to provide such a competitive price for international shipping?
A) Bongo International has been able to negotiate discounted rates with common carriers due to the high shipment volume of our customers.
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Q) Do you charge any fees to consolidate multiple items into one box?
A) No! This is one of the many advantages that Bongo offers. We allow our customers to consolidate multiple items into one box for FREE! This results in huge cost savings to our clients!
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Q) What does it cost to sign up with Bongo International?
A) Bongo offers three standard subscription options, two choices for individuals and 1 for businesses. You can review the subscriptions here.
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Q) Can I pay by check or money order?
A) No. We accept payment by Visa, Master Card and American Express only.
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Q) Is Bongo International's price all inclusive? Does it include duties and taxes?
A) Bongo's price includes a full door-to-door transportation cost, however, there may be additional duties and taxes charged by customs in the destination country. These charges are the responsibility of our clients to pay upon receipt of the goods. Please see your local customs office to get more specifics. Information about duties and taxes can be found through the resources provided here.
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Q) How long will it take for Bongo to respond to customer service inquiries through your "Support" function?
A) We will respond to all Support inquiries within 1 business day. Bongo Customer Service Agents respond Monday - Friday during the hours of 9:00-5:00 EST.
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Q) Many US Retailers won't accept my international credit card. Is there any way around this?
A) Of course! You have two options.
1. You can set up your Bongo International address as a secondary address to your current card. This will allow US retailers to see a domestic address on your credit card. This process works most of the time.
2. Use our Personal Shopper option. With Personal Shopper, you can provide us with the exact URL and we will make the purchase for you by using our US credit card. The cost of this service is 10% of the total transaction.
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