Korean Job Discussion Forums

inmytree · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

I was wondering what the cost for shipping over the documents to the school in order for them to obtain the visa would be? When i looked at UPS it was about 120 USD, which seems excessive. I know i'm shipping to the other side of the world, but is there a cheaper way of doing this??

thanks!

demaratus · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

I believe DHL was $52 from Canada, takes about a week.

22tea77 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Location: United States

Global Priority flat rate envelope I believe was 25 dollars.. guaranteed to Seoul in 4 days! Worked for me.

Rae · Joined: 10 Oct 2007

I paid $113 FedEx Expedited (took about 3-5 days) it had things other than documents and was never opened or touched by customs. I felt pretty ripped-off at the time but after hearing about stories of opened letters and people having to resend, I'm pretty glad I went with the FedEx route. If you're not in a uber hurry, I say go with USPS and save $$$.

Link to the old thread:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=104266&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=documents

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Shipping documents

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

demaratus · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:18 am Post subject:

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

USPS Express Mail International (known internationally as EMS service) is probably the cheapest. Postage is $25 using their flat rate envelope, or $23 if you pay and print your postage paid label online. They promise 4 (business) day service to Korea with a money-back guarantee, but so far they've gone 0 for 2 for me. The first one I sent took 8 days (shipped 12/31, arrived 1/8 ). The second one was shipped 1/15 and still hasn't arrived; after I called and initiated an inquiry, they finally figured out yesterday (over a week after mailing) that they had misrouted it�to where, I don't know.

The post office also offers a service called Global Express Guaranteed (GXG). This service uses FedEx to deliver outside the U.S., but the rates are cheaper than shipping directly through FedEx. Up to 1 pound can be shipped to Korea for $55, or $49.50 if purchased and printed online. I've used this before with good results.

UPS Express Saver was $56.05 for a flat rate envelope. Make sure they classify it as a letter, and the contents as documents of no commercial value�otherwise the rate will be a lot higher. I shipped yesterday (Thursday, 1/24) and they guaranteed delivery by the end of the day on Monday (1/28 ). So far it seems to be on track: it left Anchorage, Alaska a couple hours ago on its way to Incheon.

I checked the rates for DHL and FedEx also. DHL was comparable to UPS at $52.31, and FedEx was quite a bit more at $78.05.

In summation: USPS is by far the cheapest, but I've found that you get what you pay for. I wouldn't trust them again for anything time-sensitive, guarantees notwithstanding.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

US Post Office Global Priority, 4 days and $25

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

22tea77 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Location: United States

My Mistake...I meant Express Mail International Flat rate for 25 dollars.
It was guaranteed to Seoul in 4 days and arrived right on time. I was one for one with this service.
Can only speak from my own very limited experience. Can't say if you had bad luck or I had good luck.