Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nationals10]

I've accumulated quite a lot of things over the last 4 years teaching in Korea
and I don't think 3 bags could quite cover them

Anyone has ever send things overseas in trunks or boxes?
(I live in Canada)

[munybse]

pack in boxes - mail
send it by ground and it will be cheap - slow but cheap

[nationals10]

by sending it ground, do you mean by ship?
Can I send them in the post office?

[munybse]

Yes and yes

Just don't send it via Air or it will cost a lot.

[ttompatz]

[nationals10]

So I guess sending it by post office in boxes
is cheaper than taking them with me via plane
and paying extra for each bag?

And how long do they take to get home
if I send them by ground?

[ttompatz]

[Dalton]

I mailed a few boxes once. I bought the boxes at the post office. I also bought their tape and markers. I wrote the address on the boxes as well as using the forms the post office supplied. The post office was quite helpful but I went at times that they weren't busy. I did it a couple weeks before I left Korea. I declared them when I arrived at customs in Canada. No problems at all. I got my stuff about two months later from a nearby Canada post in a Shoppers Drug Mart (Southern Ontario). I bought some minimal insurance at the PO as well.

[andrewchon]

Why not give things away to your friends? And dump the things you can't give away?

[Dalton]

I have done both (give away, leave behind) but after a few years one accumulates stuff that can't be dealt with that way. Souvenir items like ceremonial tea sets, useful items like new printers, clothing, pricey bedding, books, DVDs. Going home after a few years and one is basically starting over in one's own country is not easy. Startup costs are such that sending things home by mail is beneficial.

I've left behind or given away furniture, books, DVDs, electronic cooking utensils, a TV and an aircon.

[nationals10]

I declared them when I arrived at customs in Canada.

How did you declare them, at the counter with the immigration officer
when you show your passport?
Is there any document that you need to show to declare your boxes,
and are there any limit as to how many boxes you can declare (and weight)?

I ususally pass the customs with automatic machine
so is there any other way I could declare my boxes?

[ttompatz]

[Dalton]

You should read up on it but IIRC I brought my copies of the forms that I completed at the Korean post office. I presented them to customs. Again IIRC I went to a special lineup for that. I hung on to those papers until I picked up the boxes in Canada. Keep anything else that customs may give you.

As Mr. ttompatz says read up on it. It was quite simple but then I knew what I was doing.

[billyh]

I'm actually taking care of this sort of thing at the moment. I went to Korea post and tried to send a bag of mine home, as I will be traveling before heading to the U.S. However, I was told I could not ship the bag because it could not fit in the a box.

Are there any other options for sending something larger home? I realize I will probably have to spend a little bit more money. I e-mailed FedEx but I haven't gotten a reply.

[ttompatz]