✈️ Air Freight
At PDBA (Package Delivery Beach Area), our Air Freight service is designed for everything from envelopes and small packages to larger items.
Air Freight Rates
$3.00 per lb.
No volume charge
Door-to-door delivery included
20% fuel surcharge is applied to the final invoice price, rounded up to the next whole dollar.
How We Calculate Weight
Air freight is calculated in whole-pound increments, with the weight rounded up to the next whole pound.
This is how the shipment weight is calculated and verified throughout the shipping process. Packages are weighed at our Miami warehouse, and weights are also verified upon arrival in Panama during Customs inspection. PDBA also verifies shipment weights, as our freight costs are based on the same whole-pound weight system.
For example:
0.01–1.00 lb. → 1 lb.
1.01–2.00 lbs. → 2 lbs.
2.01–3.00 lbs. → 3 lbs.
3.01–4.00 lbs. → 4 lbs.
And so on.
This means an envelope weighing 0.2 lb. is calculated as 1 lb., while a package weighing 2.1 lbs. is calculated as 3 lbs.
PDBA Air Freight Pricing*
Air Freight: $3.00 per pound
A 20% fuel surcharge is applied to the freight charge.
The fuel surcharge is rounded up to the next whole dollar.
Examples:
1 lb: $3.00 × 20% = $0.60 → $1.00 fuel surcharge → $4.00 total
5 lbs: $15.00 × 20% = $3.00 → $3.00 fuel surcharge → $18.00 total
Best For Packages under 100 lbs.
There is no set maximum invoice value for air freight. Packages with an invoice value over $300 can still be shipped by air freight. However, shipments valued above $300 may be subject to taxes or additional charges by Panama Customs.
The $300 threshold is a general guideline, not a guarantee of whether taxes will be charged. Customs decisions can vary depending on the shipment, the type and value of the merchandise, and the Customs agent handling the inspection.
USA Shipping Address
Name LastNamePDBA
8562 NW 61ST ST
Miami, FL 33166-3309
T. 786-391-4201
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Your last name and PDBA should be combined with no space, with PDBA in capital letters.
Some suppliers, including certain VA medical suppliers, may not allow PDBA to be included as part of the last name. If the supplier does not allow this format, simply add (PDBA) at the end of the street address, with PDBA enclosed in parentheses:
8562 NW 61ST ST (PDBA)
This helps ensure your package is properly identified as a PDBA shipment when the supplier does not allow PDBA to be entered in the last-name field.
The PDBA code is extremely important because it identifies your package as a shipment belonging to Package Delivery Beach Area (PDBA) for Chad H. in Panama when it arrives at our Miami warehouse.
Note: Packages received without the PDBA code will be held at our Miami warehouse until they can be properly identified. If you believe your package is missing the PDBA code, please provide Chad H. with the package tracking number so we can check the warehouse and determine whether the package is being held there.
✉️ USPS Envelopes & Tracking
We do receive USPS envelopes and regular mail, including personal letters, greeting cards, and Christmas cards.
Regular USPS envelopes do not typically include tracking. If an envelope or package does not have a tracking number, PDBA cannot track its location or provide tracking information while it is in transit.
For packages and important documents, we strongly recommend using a shipping service that provides a tracking number. A tracking number allows you and PDBA to monitor the shipment and confirm its delivery status.
💳 Debit & Credit Cards
If you are ordering a debit card or credit card from a bank or financial institution, we strongly recommend asking the bank to expedite the card using FedEx or another courier service that provides a tracking number.
We do not recommend sending debit cards or credit cards through a standard USPS envelope without tracking. Using a tracked courier service allows you and PDBA to monitor the shipment during transit.
☕ Consumable Items
Consumable items fall under APA (Department of Health) requirements. Coffee, supplements, medication, foods, and cosmetics are typically acceptable in small quantities of 1–2 units for personal use.
However, Customs may charge a small fee (approximately $5 per product), require an APA permit or additional documentation, or hold a package for up to two weeks. This is a routine customs process.
📄 If Customs Retains Your Package
If Customs retains a package, a digital invoice may be requested. You can send us a screenshot or PDF of the invoice via WhatsApp.
For APA-regulated consumable items, Customs may also request a photo of your cédula or passport .