Korean Job Discussion Forums

driftingfocus · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA

Have any of you from the US had medication shipped over? My mother seems insistent on using FedEx, but it costs a fortune, and they want to hold it for 4-5 days for "consideration", and I will have to be present to sign for it (which would be difficult, as my mail goes to one of my schools, not to my house, as I live at school).

I have recieved several packages by regular mail with no problem - they were not opened, not tampered with, nothing. I told her that she should just send them through regular mail (undeclared), but she wants me to ask you all, because for some reason, my statements are not good enough.

So, how do you all have medication sent over?

JamesFord · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Location: my personal playground

I haven't had actual medication sent, but I've had other such things confiscated by customs. If it's worth any amount of money, I'd go the FedEx way because at least they're accountable and you can track your package. I never send things by mail because I've had too many problems.

driftingfocus · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA

MrRogers · Joined: 29 Jun 2008

the U.S. Postal Service worked fine for me...just this week ...I received an herbal prescription, a large 8 oz. bottle sent priority express or something...cost about $22...it took it a week to arrive....but it was in good shape and the Korean Post Office delivered it to the district office which is my headquarters...and this district is really rural...

the person sending it filled a customs/declaration sort of thing, with the help of the usps, I imagine, and the paper was taped to the bottom of the box....

everything was fine...

the Korean Post Office seems to do an excellent job....

I have even sent something in English from this rural town post office and it went through the system over to the U.S. just fine...!

MrRogers · Joined: 29 Jun 2008

However, after reading JamesFord's post, who knows...

maybe he/she has had more experience/time here....

driftingfocus · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA

seoulsister · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Location: International Network

I've done posting back and forth hundreds of times, and while I can't recall dealing with medication, I do have a couple of tips for you:

1. Always have it sent to you with the address written in Korean. Either mail your mom a copy or scan and send, I have even taken a digital photo and sent it (because their computer doesn't have Korean language software).

2. If you have a Korean name use it, or borrow a friend/co-workers name. I just think that you want to draw as little attention to the package as possible, and I do tend to think that we are generally treated with suspicion so why invite it?

3. Get creative when you label the contents. I would not write medication on the package. Perhaps health food, gift, personal items, etc. Or send something else which you can honestly label and 'forget' to list the medicine.

4. Divide your package so that you are not taking a risk with all of it. If you really want to spread the odds, send it to different locations (home/school/friend) so that if one is opened, the 2nd won't automatically be.

FYI, I did send my niece some Korean candy once, it was the kind of candy that comes in the pop-out packs which look like medicine. Stars and hearts, very colorful and candy looking, but it was confiscated by customs for being possible drugs or medication or something. I wish they would have just tasted it and then given it back....luckily it was the 100 won a pack kind so no harm done.

Also, are you sure you can't get your prescription here? Medicine tends to be a whole lot cheaper here.. If you can write down the ingredients most doctors and pharmacies will search for it on their computer databases.

Good luck~

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

driftingfocus · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA

Thanks for all the advice so far!

JamesFord · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Location: my personal playground

I would second the idea about putting a Korean name on the package. It doesn't have to be Hangul, putting it in English is fine. I've done this before, and for these packages I've had no problem.

I did have my family send me some basic toiletry products before like lotions, etc. Also included in the package was a cheque from the government (tax return), and a number of photos of my nieces and nephews. Customs took the whole thing without blinking an eye so I was out a couple hundred bucks (not including the cheque worth over a grand). I've also had packages from Amazon.com opened and some books taken out while others left in. Don't ever put full trust in the Korean postal service.

MrRogers · Joined: 29 Jun 2008

Moosehead wrote:

seoulsister · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Location: International Network

I have noticed that when I write addresses in Korean the mail moves a LOT faster. I look at it as 'chance for confusion' vs 'no chance for confusion'. With different variations on spellings and similar names for different places, it can't hurt to have it there. It's really not a big deal, if you've got the hangul, add it.