Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hello there, I have heard reports that sending international mail via USPS is unreliable, is this true? Fedex is guaranteed but it seems you pay three times as much for the privelege! I would be interested in some experiences so I can make a decision.

thanks!

Posted

Am not sure how USPS comes into play if you are in Chiang Mai but I get normal US mail here in Bangkok from my insurance and banks without many problems and normally within 1-2 weeks (although there have been cases where it was months late when dispatched to Caribbean islands or Taiwan by US mail sorters who seem to be geographically challenged).  If talking packages remember that courier services will attract customs. .  

  • Like 1
Posted

FedEx isn't my first choice for parcels to the UK as 100% get hit for UK customs charges.  Not FedEx's fault as such just their channel to the UK.  Never been stung with USPS and great tracking.

Posted

I think letters do OK.  Packages not so much.  I had a couple items fail to arrive from the USA.

One was worth stealing, the other probably just got tossed in the trash because it wasn't.

Better use registered mail (something with tracking). 

Posted

I use USPS all the time and have never had a problem- standard international shipping with tracking (through their website or the Thailand Post’s) takes 8-10 days to CM (it would be a day or two less to BKK, where it goes through customs before being shipped here)- probably 150+ packages over the years without an issue,

Posted

thanks for your responses, yes I was intending to use:

Priority Mail International® Large Flat Rate Box USPS-Produced Box: 23-11/16" x 11-3/4" x 3" or 12" x 12" x 5-1/2" Maximum weight 20 pounds.

 

It has tracking so that helps I guess but still does not guarantee arrival? I am shipping some heavy books (in English) that weigh 10lbs, perhaps not so interesting that they will "disappear".

Posted

Sign up for email updates on the USPS site using the tracking number- it will give you the status and current location changes automatically.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
On 11/16/2017 at 6:00 AM, flare said:

I use USPS all the time and have never had a problem- standard international shipping with tracking (through their website or the Thailand Post’s) takes 8-10 days to CM (it would be a day or two less to BKK, where it goes through customs before being shipped here)- probably 150+ packages over the years without an issue,

I think the package is only tracked until it leaves the US. Once out of the US, there is no tracking.

There's probably nothing to worry about unless the package is valuable because nobody would bother stealing it. It's also a matter of luck

Posted
6 hours ago, garet said:

I think the package is only tracked until it leaves the US. Once out of the US, there is no tracking.

There's probably nothing to worry about unless the package is valuable because nobody would bother stealing it. It's also a matter of luck

No, that’s incorrect- it gets scanned and updated at many points- mine will have updates starting (usually) in New York, then (usually) London, then Bangkok (updates for arrival and customs clearance), and then shipping to/arrival in CM.

 

Here are all the updates I got for a package delivered in August:

 

August 8, 2017, 4:29 pm 
Delivered 
THAILAND 
Your item was delivered in THAILAND at 4:29 pm on August 8, 2017. 


August 8, 2017, 2:50 pm 
Addressee not available - Scheduled for another delivery attempt today 
THAILAND 


August 8, 2017, 2:49 pm 
Arrival at Post Office 
THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 12:21 pm 
Processed through Facility 
BANGKOK MAIL CENTRE, THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 11:03 am 
Customs clearance processing complete 
THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 10:03 am 
Held in Customs 
BANGKOK MAIL CENTRE, THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 9:48 am 
Processed Through Facility 
THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 12:00 am 
Customs Clearance 
THAILAND 


August 2, 2017, 11:30 am 
Departed 
BANGKOK, THAILAND 


August 1, 2017, 4:28 pm 
Departed 
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM 


July 31, 2017, 7:25 pm 
Departed 
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES 


July 31, 2017, 9:02 am 
Arrived 
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES 


July 30, 2017, 2:58 pm 
Processed Through Facility 
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)  


July 30, 2017, 2:56 pm 
Arrived at Facility 
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)  


July 29, 2017, 7:11 pm 
Departed USPS Regional Facility 
METRO NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER  


July 29, 2017, 7:09 pm 
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility 
METRO NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER  


July 29, 2017, 5:07 pm 
Departed Post Office 
Long Island, NY  


July 29, 2017, 12:32 pm 
USPS in possession of item 
Long Island, NY 

 
Posted

USPS is a much better way to receive the shipment of goods from the U.S. vs. FedEx/UPS/DHL because shipments via mail that enter the country through Thai Post don't seem to attract the attention of customs the way that FedEx/UPS/DHL shipments do.  We regularly order items via Amazon, etc and have them shipped to our commercial mail forwarding service in Miami, Fl where the orders are repacked and consolidated and then shipped to us here in Thailand via USPS.  

 

It's important that you have reliable mail delivering here.  Previously we lived in a condo where the office didn't handle incoming mail securely and incoming mail was simply left on a table for any resident to claim unlike the one overworked office employee got around to putting it into people's boxes, this included incoming USPS boxes.  Now, the condo where we live, all mail is sorted promptly and all packages, including USPS boxes are logged in and kept in a secure room where you have to sign for your package when you claim it.

 

 

Posted

Both UPS and Fed-Ex have their own Customs holding area, sub-contracted from the Thai government. This is why virtually all of their consignments wind up with an Import Duty charged to them. To add insult to injury, Fed-Ex also frequently charges a 'storage fee' if the package has to be held over-night. And if they are 'storing' it, they will 'insure' it and guess who pays that insurance fee?  Any package that arrives on a Friday gets held over the weekend as Fed-Ex will not make personal (only commercial) deliveries on Saturday or Sunday... or holidays, so those storage and insurance charges become a key profit point for the carrier.

 

Using 'Express Mail Service,' at the post office, called EMS, costs only a bit more than regular 1st class mail, and gives your letter or package special handling and an easy-to-use tracking number. I've never lost one in 15 years using the service for letters and packages internationally or locally. Right now this service is offered by 190 countries around the world. Simply ask for EMS when you step up to the window here in Thailand or your home country. It's easy to use.

Posted
7 hours ago, flare said:

No, that’s incorrect- it gets scanned and updated at many points- mine will have updates starting (usually) in New York, then (usually) London, then Bangkok (updates for arrival and customs clearance), and then shipping to/arrival in CM.

 

Here are all the updates I got for a package delivered in August:

 

August 8, 2017, 4:29 pm 
Delivered 
THAILAND 
Your item was delivered in THAILAND at 4:29 pm on August 8, 2017. 


August 8, 2017, 2:50 pm 
Addressee not available - Scheduled for another delivery attempt today 
THAILAND 


August 8, 2017, 2:49 pm 
Arrival at Post Office 
THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 12:21 pm 
Processed through Facility 
BANGKOK MAIL CENTRE, THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 11:03 am 
Customs clearance processing complete 
THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 10:03 am 
Held in Customs 
BANGKOK MAIL CENTRE, THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 9:48 am 
Processed Through Facility 
THAILAND 


August 3, 2017, 12:00 am 
Customs Clearance 
THAILAND 


August 2, 2017, 11:30 am 
Departed 
BANGKOK, THAILAND 


August 1, 2017, 4:28 pm 
Departed 
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM 


July 31, 2017, 7:25 pm 
Departed 
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES 


July 31, 2017, 9:02 am 
Arrived 
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES 


July 30, 2017, 2:58 pm 
Processed Through Facility 
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)  


July 30, 2017, 2:56 pm 
Arrived at Facility 
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)  


July 29, 2017, 7:11 pm 
Departed USPS Regional Facility 
METRO NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER  


July 29, 2017, 7:09 pm 
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility 
METRO NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER  


July 29, 2017, 5:07 pm 
Departed Post Office 
Long Island, NY  


July 29, 2017, 12:32 pm 
USPS in possession of item 
Long Island, NY 

 

Are you sure that wasn't Priority Mail Express International?

Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Mark1066 said:

Are you sure that wasn't Priority Mail Express International?

I’m sure- that’s faster (3-5 days) and quite a bit more expensive than the regular service- I have my stuff sent sent using the standard USPS ‘Priority Mail International Parcels’ (no ‘Express’) category, which can be used for packages up to 20lbs (~9kg) and takes (usually) 8-10 days from the east coast.  It has full tracking (the same as the ‘Express’ packages) as part of the shipping price.

 

Here’s the link- https://www.usps.com/international/mail-shipping-services.htm?

Edited by flare
Posted

FYI, 2 of 9 EMS small packages from the Philippines, sent to my condo were nabbed.  Once able to settle at Phra Sing, the other had to go to the airport.  One of the two had Thai GFs name on it.  As far as USPS..was there last month, and the guy indicated if it wasn't rigid, it qualifies for somewhat cheaper postage.  So a mag or docs could be pretty cheap, and take two weeks, instead of one.  Technically, there may be a quarter inch thickness rule, but they may use rigid instead.

Posted
2 hours ago, flare said:

I’m sure- that’s faster (3-5 days) and quite a bit more expensive than the regular service- I have my stuff sent sent using the standard USPS ‘Priority Mail International Parcels’ (no ‘Express’) category, which can be used for packages up to 20lbs (~9kg) and takes (usually) 8-10 days from the east coast.  It has full tracking (the same as the ‘Express’ packages) as part of the shipping price.

 

Here’s the link- https://www.usps.com/international/mail-shipping-services.htm?

I'm glad to hear that USPS is reliable. Did you ever ship something semi-valuable using this service? I'm having a $150 pair of shoes plus a $100 pair of orthotic inserts that they don't sell in Thailand shipped this week. Would hate for them to get lost or stolen during transit. 

Posted
1 minute ago, garet said:

I'm glad to hear that USPS is reliable. Did you ever ship something semi-valuable using this service? I'm having a $150 pair of shoes plus a $100 pair of orthotic inserts that they don't sell in Thailand shipped this week. Would hate for them to get lost or stolen during transit. 

Shoes are frequently stopped and easy for them to spot.  I would separate them.

Posted
1 minute ago, BuddyDean said:

Shoes are frequently stopped and easy for them to spot.  I would separate them.

If they are stopped, what would be the next step? Would I have to go to customs to pay import tax? Would I get a notice telling me where my package was so I could go pick it up? I would definitely be contacted about where to pick up my package, right?

Posted
40 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Yes, it's true, USPS and Thai Post are a brilliant combination for package shipment/delivery.

 

I never send anything into Thailand via DHL / FedEx or UPS. And I never send anything out of Thailand using DHL / FedEx or UPS.

 

I have no desire to be ripped off. And every time any of them ever used to handle any non-document packages, that's exactly what would happen.

 

Posted
7 minutes ago, garet said:

If they are stopped, what would be the next step? Would I have to go to customs to pay import tax? Would I get a notice telling me where my package was so I could go pick it up? I would definitely be contacted about where to pick up my package, right?

Yes, you will get a notice...you could be looking at 60-100%.  Especially bad if they come direct from a retailer.

Posted
9 minutes ago, BuddyDean said:

Yes, you will get a notice...you could be looking at 60-100%.  Especially bad if they come direct from a retailer.

Wow...I thought the import tax was more like 30%. I will have my mother ship the shoes to me in a generic box. Will I need to provide a receipt for proof of cost?

 

Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, garet said:

Wow...I thought the import tax was more like 30%. I will have my mother ship the shoes to me in a generic box. Will I need to provide a receipt for proof of cost?

 

Taxes are based on CIF..cost+insurance+freight.....then you pay 7% VAT on all that.  Take all the labels off.  I always bring one or two pairs of good quality shoes with me.....and cotton sheets, too.

They are the one entity that is in the same league for bad hair days as Immigration.  We call her the wicked witch of the east at CM Customs.

Edited by BuddyDean
Posted
2 minutes ago, BuddyDean said:

Taxes are based on CIT...cost+insurance+freight.....then you pay 7% VAT on all that.  Take all the labels off.  I always bring one or two pairs of good quality shoes with me.....and cotton sheets, too.

How will the cost be determined? Will I need a receipt? They will see the cost of insurance on the parcel?

What do you mean you bring shoes and sheets with you? Do you mean when you enter Thailand by airplane?

Posted
7 minutes ago, garet said:

How will the cost be determined? Will I need a receipt? They will see the cost of insurance on the parcel?

What do you mean you bring shoes and sheets with you? Do you mean when you enter Thailand by airplane?

You only need a receipt if you are trying to argue with them, which will have its own costs.  Best to get it over with as quickly as possible.  Yes, a new pair on my feet and another new pair in my luggage...about once per year.  As long as it doesn't look like you will resell.  They like to find cigs and booze at the airports..and luxury watches from Hong Kong.

Posted

I had a pair of new shoes sent by my brother from the USA via USPS to CM. On the customs label he wrote value $100, personal items.  Stopped by Thai customs at Phra Sing Post Office, in CM old town, and i went there and paid about 1300 baht to collect the shoes. Shipping time only 2 weeks. 

Posted
2 hours ago, chingmai331 said:

I had a pair of new shoes sent by my brother from the USA via USPS to CM. On the customs label he wrote value $100, personal items.  Stopped by Thai customs at Phra Sing Post Office, in CM old town, and i went there and paid about 1300 baht to collect the shoes. Shipping time only 2 weeks. 

That's only about 30% tax. Was that recently? So they just arbitrarily wrote $100 as the value? I'd be happy if that's all I had to do.

Posted
10 hours ago, garet said:

I'm glad to hear that USPS is reliable. Did you ever ship something semi-valuable using this service? I'm having a $150 pair of shoes plus a $100 pair of orthotic inserts that they don't sell in Thailand shipped this week. Would hate for them to get lost or stolen during transit. 

I think the most expensive package I’ve had shipped would have been ~$2500 worth of motorcycle accessories (an exhaust, an FI modulation system, etc) with no problems- I’ve also several times had leather goods (boots, jackets, gloves, etc) arrive without an issue.

 

I think the many checkpoints in the tracking system make the USPS packages less likely to be tampered with or stolen as there’s a pretty good record of where they are at any given time.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



×
×
  • Create New...