Job Discussion Forums

[currentaffairs]

I ordered some stuff off Amazon UK and I will get my brother to send it to me through DHL or Aramex. I looked on the Amazon site and they will send parcels by Amazon Global Priority for 25 quid (up to 1kg) but it doesn't look like a proper courier service. A previous Xmas parcel from the UK was lost in the post when sent through regular mail so I am willing to pay extra for a courier.

Would anyone recommend Aramex or DHL? Has anyone used the Amazon Global Priority service before?

[scot47]

I got stuff from Amazon sent to my employer's PO Box regularly. I used Amazon Germany because postage was cheaper.

I had heard of those other services but did not know anyone who used them.

Get a PO Box yourself if you are going to be in KSA long-term. You need an Iqama. At KFUPM I had a paranoid colleague who rented a PO Box in Bahrain so that he could get stuff sent there. Wasted energy I think. I never had problems with DVDs, books or music. The days of heavy-handed censorship are long gone. unless you are importing multiple copies of the Bible in Arabic.

[MixtecaMike]

Amazon Germany sends via DHL (or did) and shipping was cheaper than UK or US Amazon, as Scott said. DHL never lost anything of mine, from various continents, Saudi Post lost stuff from NZ (my degree and transcripts) but that was years ago. About 8 or 9 months ago I got some hats from Australia via the Oz post/Saudi Post and they got through in less than ten days.
Note that if your stuff comes from a shop and is more than US$100 you will pay taxes on it, at least if it comes via DHL or Wassell. It also takes a couple of days to clear customs. Under $100 is no problem.

[currentaffairs]

Amazon Germany only offers the option to send through Amazon Global, and if you choose to buy something from a seller then only standard post comes up as an option..

[sicklyman]

I once (and only ever) used Aramex to get a camera body sent from Riyadh to Khobar. They managed that. But after three weeks of it sitting in Khobar and repeated phone calls to inept staff and emails, in the end I had no choice but to go to their office and collect it myself. Absolutely useless and, judging by the number of people who were there doing the same thing, I'm not the only one who has this opinion of them.

[currentaffairs]

The DHL and Aramex websites were rubbish and couldn't give me an online quote. The FedEx website was much better. It is 70 pounds to send 1kg to Saudi from the UK... There is also a FedEx office near my campus.

[kugaas]

Use saudi post's wasel international service.

50riyal for first kilogram and now 50riyal for every kilo thereafter. when the service started less than a year ago iirc the latter was 25. Seems its proving too popular.

[scot47]

That is for post LEAVING KSA. OP was asking about sending TO KSA.

[MixtecaMike]

No, Wassell does to KSA as well. They have a physical address in the UK and the US and China (or similar places) you get your packet delivered to, and then you get a bill which you pay on line via saddad payments and it arrives at your door not long afterwards. I used it once to get a toy train from the UK, only it didn't arrive in a few days. The local (Huwaylet) post office recommended I "wait and see", for a couple of weeks, then gave me the number to call in Riyadh. The guy there said that I hadn't paid the tax yet, I said I had, he rechecked, said very sorry, and I got it delivered in Jubail less than 12 hours later. Other people I knew had better success with their delivery time.
Again, as mentioned above, if it's from a store and worth over US$100 you get to pay tax. (Just to remind us of how the rest of the world works.)

[scot47]

This sounds like the fragmentation of the Universal Postal Union, The End is nigh.

[kugaas]

At least delete or edit your post scot. it's confusing enough to have so much conflicting information. No wonder there's so much misinformation on these forums. I guess everyone has a right to voice their opinion.



I can confirm that I am registered with Saudi Wasel. They give you a UK and a USA address. China I cannot confirm, ,maybe you can cite something for us Mike?


I also didn't know you can use Saudi Wasel International to SEND SOMETHING OUTSIDE of KSA, maybe you can back up your claim scot?

[scot47]

I looked for their branch office here on my Scottish island, but I was unable to find it ! I did find a Post Office though.

http://naumankhan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/how-to-get-postal-address-wasel-aalami.html#axzz3saZ9umiU

[kugaas]

[MixtecaMike]

[veiledsentiments]