Korean Job Discussion Forums

Czarjorge

I'm coming to SK shortly, and given the baggage restrictions there is no way I'm going to make the weight with all the stuff I need. And, no, I'm not bringing frivolous crap with me. It's mostly clothes and supplies that seem not to be available in SK.

What's the best way to get my stuff over? FedEx? Some threads and sites I've read say that it can take up to 2 months to get over here. I'm going to bring the stuff I need up front with me, and then ship over a winter coat and clothes and so on.

Anyone have some helpful info or advice?

I'll be in Busan.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

Hi Czar,

The best way would be to send them in a plain cardboard box. Send it via USPS global priority. It'll get here within 10 days and they won't open your package (I have had over 20 packages sent to me via this method and each time, the packages arrived unscathed and untouched). I have had brand new things in there including but not limited to computer hardware, clothing, groceries, etc.).

Hope this helps.

Bloogoo · Joined: 19 Mar 2007

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

Baggage restrictiosn depend on the airline.

You can also consider the USPS ground mail. It takes about two months, but its reasonably priced. Customs probably will check out these packages, but if you are sending used items, then it shoudl be no problem.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Czarjorge · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject:

Mostly stuff that the posts on this site and the book I read suggested.

Stuff like gifts (I'll bring a couple, but 70lbs. of stuff isn't much especially as I'm a fat arse and my clothes weigh a bit.), deodorant, winter clothes (when does winter start in SK/Busan? the research i've done says you'll need a real coat about december.), probably my external hard drive (if it won't fit in my carryon) and external keyboard (the mouse comes with me), pillow (if it won't fit), towel, top bedsheet, toiletries that are unavailable in SK, etc. I've read all the threads and coallated them into one comprehensive list of necessary items to bring. Though some of the posts are four or five years old, and I bet some things have changed.

And a box of books. I have yet to see any posts for book exchanges in Busan.

Aside: I know it's anathema to korean culture to give away a used item, but to a SKan who could read english, would a book that I had already read by inappropriate. I don't really keep books unless I know I'll read them again. (The whole Buddhist seven possessions thing. Aside: Is it cheating if one of the possessions is my laptop with a huge HD and tons of info saved on it? Surprised

)

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

peanut · Joined: 19 Nov 2006

Most things can be found here if you look hard enough and want to pay out the bum (besides the clothes).

Unfortunately, USPS just changed their international shipping choices. The slowest way to get stuff to Korea is now 2-5 day, which can be very pricey. I'd suggest that you slim down what you REALLY need and pay to have an additional piece of luggage.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Since surface mail is no longer an option from the US, I'll be paying for an extra bag on my next flight.

cookie7 · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Location: Suji, Yongin

Exactly how much does it cost to send stuff from U.S to SK? I had to pay extra because of the baggage restrictions and that was only spring clothes! I heard that it's super humid in the summer and super freezing in the winter so I was going to have my parents send stuff here. I don't mind how long it takes as long as it doesn't get lost and it comes before I'm sweating like crazy... Would it be cheaper to buy stuff in Korea? It can't be... I've been to Korean malls and the prices are ridiculous!

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

The USPS is totally screwing those of us who live overseas on a budget these days.

http://ircalc.usps.gov/default.aspx?Mode=Intl_Single&CID=10234

Best you can do is a flat rate box (up to 20 lbs) for $37.00

Global Express Guaranteed for a 70 lb. box = US$500
Northwest Airlines for a 70 lb. third piece of luggage = US$150

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

cookie7 · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Location: Suji, Yongin

Wowies.... Still, I guess sending stuff over might be okay after all. Korean clothes are freaking expensive like 100,000won for a lousy t-shirt.

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

Put the your laptop in the carry-on with your mouse and keyboard (assuming your laptop keyboard doesn't work), along with the hard drives. If it doesn't fit, buy a bigger carry-on bag (up to the max restriction of the airline).

Bring a two or three books plus your Korean dictionary, phrasebook, and if you are extremely serious about learning Korean, a grammar book or two. You can fit most of that in your carry-on too.

Your can bring two pieces of luggage with you. Just buy some big ones that max out the size restrictions with your airline. Put in your clothes, shoes, and your two tubes of toothpaste and two sticks of deoderant.

Busan is a big city with plenty of places to buy whatever you need. You can take a bus to Costco in Daegu which is a two hour bus ride at most and buy whatever you need.

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

What you will need will depend on you and where you live.
Bring about a three month supply of your favorite toiletries, pens and anything else that is small and light weight that will make you feel comfortable until you figure out where to get things and what to have sent.

If you are going to be shipping stuff anyway wait until you
get here and see what you need.