~ AUG 12 2002

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Duty-Free Donations
From: NM in the UK
- I am currently looking recycle UK IT hardware into Lao PDR on a charitable basis. Is this something you can advise me on?

Reply:

In the past, generally speaking when technology is sent into Laos it is taxed quite heavily. However because your sending this tech. as charitable donations you'll probably be allowed to bypass such restrictions or at least have them reduced.

Though we are not paricularly familiar with this we do have a few recommendations: It would be best if you could contact freight companies who are most familiar in assisting customers on these topics. I also encourage you to contact other NGOs in Laos through their websites to find out how they generally go about doing such things. Additionally, contacting the Lao embassy would also be a good idea.

Another important note: it is our understanding that under Article 56 under the Import Duty Exemption and Diplomatic Priveledges includes "Humanitarian assistance materials" which should include your specific donation to be exempt from an import duty.

It's great to see that you wish to help Laos as many of us do.

Reply:

The only way to obtain Laotian publications are to order them directly from the publishers. This however means that you have to subscribe to them based on international rates which is a lot.

The Vientiane Times contains a great deal of business news (it used to be available online but now requires special access). KPL is also a widely known source of info. Their english versions are posted on www.klpnet.net; there contact info is also listed there. In some parts of the world where there are large Laotian populations some of them may even have their own newspapers such as those in Texas, USA. You will have to look into that depending on your own location. Most likely as you have found out you will not be able to find such newspapers in your local stores. However if you contact your library they may be able to obtain or order copies for you.

Regarding books in Lao script: You can obtain such books just about anywhere in the world. Your library may contain them. Or get in touch with your local Lao community. They are the most likely group to have or be able to obtain such books for you. In most cases they have bought it from Laos or from someone who was selling these books to the community.