Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SeoulShakin]

Ok - I'm leaving in two weeks, and I have a bunch of random questions hopefully you guys can help me out with

- I have to get rid of a bunch of clothes, coats, and bags that I won't have room to bring home with me, and that don't fit me anymore. I know people have said there are bins in the neighbourhoods you can drop them off in, but low and behold, the one I knew about isn't there anymore. Besides chucking them, anyone have any ideas?

- I have to ship one more box home, but was wondering if the post office takes credit cards? I've always paid cash there, and haven't ever noticed anyone paying that way. Anyone know?

- I will have many gifts and such to carry on the plane with me (Air Canada - but we won't get into my feelings on that ), and was wondering if there are any restrictions on what you can carry. I'll have my carry-on, laptop, purse, and one more shopping size bag of gifts. The one I'm worried about is a wooden chopstick set I got for a friend. Will they allow those on the plane?

Anyone think of anything else I should do or take care of before I leave? I'll hopefully be back in March (fingers crossed) so it's not a permanent farewell, but it's stressful anyway. Thanks in advance!

[oneofthesarahs]

I don't know about your first question, but I do know that the post office takes credit cards.

As for the carry-on items, I doubt you would have many problems carrying on wooden chopsticks, but do make sure you check Air Canada's website for carry on guidelines to make sure you don't try to carry on too much. Most airlines allow for one carry-on bag, a personal item (such as a purse or laptop case), and a coat. But they're usually a little lenient about it if you don't make a big fuss. I've carried on a bag, a laptop case, and a giant purse with Korea Air and hadn't had a problem. But if you're worried about getting items through security, is there a particular reason that you want to carry your gifts with you? I say, if in doubt, be safe and pack it with the rest of your luggage and check it.

[SeoulShakin]

I'm mostly worried about packing space. To get everything here, I used those spacebags where you can suck the air out of the bag, and all of your clothes get condensed to a smaller size. I don't have a vacuum cleaner with a hose here, so I don't have that option, and I am afraid I won't have the room. Guess I'll figure it all out though.

Thanks for the info about the credit cards though!

I was mostly afraid they might think the chopsticks were "weapon-like". Airlines are pretty picky these days.

Thanks again!

[SeoulShakin]

Just a quick bump to see if my other questions can be answered

[SeoulShakin]

Well I now have two 50L garbage bags FULL of clothes, coats and purses that I'd hate to simply throw away. No ideas?

[Bibbitybop]

Ship the extra clothes, like your summer clothing, by boat. Takes about 2 months and is pretty cheap.

[europe2seoul]

[Corporal]

The post office.

[Major Kong]

Any warm clothing...give them to those people living in the cardboard boxes. They may need them more than you ever will.

[Lynns]

I see those green bins for donating clothes all over the place, especially in areas with a lot of housing, but any big apartment complex will have a clothing collection bin in their recycling area. I bet if you just leave a bag of clothes near the service entrance of a big apt complex, the cleaning ajummas will take what they want from it and put the rest in the bin. Good luck and bon voyage.

[ttompatz]

Drop the clothes in the roadway underpass behind Seoul City Hall.
The dudes and dudettes in the cardboard houses in the underpass will pick through them - they will have a warmer XMAS. It is the one crossing the main road and is next to the press club.

You can ship stuff home by sea (20kilos for 48k won).

You are entitled to your $750 duty free (no restrictions) AND an additional $10,000 duty free for returning residents (with some restrictions).

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/rc4105-eng.html

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/former-eng.html

Just declare an itemized list with Canada Customs on your return as goods to follow.

Yes, the post office takes credit cards for all services.

For your luggage, put the chopsticks and any metal objects and liquids into your CHECKED luggage and not part of your carry-on.

If you need bubble wrap you can get it from any stationary shop and sometimes at the post office as well.

You get 2 checked bags of 23kg EACH + 1 carry on.
Your laptop is a freebee and NOT considered as part of your baggage allowance for carry-on.
Your purse is also exempt from the allowance.

Take care of your pension refund in case you don't come back.
It is a pain to try to get it AFTER you have returned home.

.

[Milwaukiedave]

Usually with the airlines you get one carry on and one personal item for a total of two items. I usually fly Singapore Air, so I have no idea about your airline. As someone said before, contact them directly.

If the one bin has disappeared, I would walk around the neighborhood a bit and you should be able to find another bin. When I lived in Incheon there were at least three nearby our house that I saw walking around the neighborhood.

[NicRenee]

You can give them to the Beautiful Store in Anguk (near Insadong in Seoul). They will pick them up if you can't deliver them yourself. Here's their website with information:

http://www.bstore.org/english/index.asp

Good Luck!

[NicRenee]

P.S. When you leave, can I have your avatar?

[Flash Ipanema]