Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Trevor]

Looking?

[seoulsister]

All I can say is DO NOT use CIL. They are absolute rip-off artists, and take no responsibility for lost or damaged items, despite their bogus "free insurance". I was also hit with a very expensive and unexpected fee at the port which was never mentioned to me. Absolute crap, you have been warned >.<
BTW: They charge more to foreigners than they do to Koreans and they still can't communicate properly despite this!

[Weetbix Kid]

hey,

I'd think twice about sending it over. When are you going home? it might be easier to take it with you then (believe it or not!)

We tried to send some artwork home, about 90cm x 65cm, and the K postal service refused us. We said fine, fine, fine, can you suggest another way?
Eventually they rang DHL for us and got another quote. It was going to be at least 1,000,000won.

I hate to think what price you'll be paying to get it over to NZ. However, if you do find a decent deal, let us know!

Good luck!

[JJJ]

By Boat.

Plastic boxes, 20kg. each., tape the bejeezus out of it, go to Post Office, up to 50,000 won/box, wait 6-8 weeks, done.

[Weetbix Kid]

yip, you definitely could go that way, if you can pack it down! The Korean postal service has a limit on size, rather then weight.

We've sent a lot of stuff home very cheaply, using the post office boxes. Any larger then those boxes, and you're going to run into trouble.

[Sapa]

Like the others said above, you can buy their largest box at the PO for 1450won and stuff it full with 20kg of stuff and pay only 48,000. Seems like a great deal if you don't mind waiting for it at the other end.

I still have a dilemma over what to do with my hdtv/monitor. It's only a 22 inch one but I have no idea if they will let me put it in the hold on the plane home. It's too risky to send it by normal post and I don't even think the PO will accept a high-value item anyway. Any ideas?

[Trevor]

I can't do the post office thing. It's musical instruments and audio equipment, plus normal personal effects. I have more possessions than any other foreigner you have ever met in Korea. The slow boat is okay, though.

BTW, what is NZ Immi like? Am I going to have a hassle getting expensive stuff into the country? I am not from New Zealand.

[Weetbix Kid]

hey

NZ immi is pretty anal. But non NZers are generally pretty complimentary about NZ's government services (which I was surprised by to be honest)... therefore I recommend ringing up customs and having a chat to them. The other option is simply checking out their website - www.customs.govt.nz

We sent back some artwork, and valued it at what it cost in materials to make - maybe $400 NZ, and we had to pay GST (12.5%) on it.

PM if you want more help or details about anything, and I'll try and give it a go.

[Trevor]

How much stuff did you ship and what did it cost? I have a little bit of experience with the shipping industry and I'm pretty good at slapping them into shape.

[Trevor]

If anyone has the names of shipping companies or other carriers I'd appreciate it.

[Gaber]

The national post office is great. I sent a huge box of stuff home after my first year, about 20kgs, and it was only 60,000. You'll be asked to list what your sending, so if you put something mundane customs probably wont ping you for GST. I had a video camera worth about a grand NZ in the box but just listed the contents as "clothes, books and personal effects", and had no hassles. It did take about a month and a half though, so if speed is an issue you may want to go private. Oh, and if you are sending anything valuable, taking it out of its packaging and sending it wrapped in clothes makes it look a lot less interesting to customs.

[Trevor]

I own aof audio gear lot of audio gear that I brought to Korea from the US. If I am not from New Zealand, I don't thnik I would have to pay taes...hope not. They made me sign something when I got to Korea promising not to sell any of it (I never did).


Still looking for names of reputable shippers to the land of the frightened sheep.