The Best Way To Send Really Important Stuff

[Jingthing]

I have a friend sending me a new US bank ATM card. What method would you use?

DHL?

Fedex?

USPS registered mail?

Something else?

[qualtrough]

I have a friend sending me a new US bank ATM card. What method would you use?

DHL?

Fedex?

USPS registered mail?

Something else?

I would recommend that he send it by USPS Global Priority Mail. They have a flat rate envelope for something like $5.95. Those packages consistently arrive here within 4-6 days, at least from the W. Coast, and can be tracked online. I would not recommend using DHL, etc. for incoming items. Just to be extra safe I would have your friend place the card in some cardboard or inside a pamphlet, etc. I have had a number of cards sent here that way without any problem.

Edited September 18, 2007 by qualtrough

[DFCarlson]

I have a friend sending me a new US bank ATM card. What method would you use?

DHL?

Fedex?

USPS registered mail?

Something else?

I would recommend that he send it by USPS Global Priority Mail. They have a flat rate envelope for something like $5.95. Those packages consistently arrive here within 4-6 days, at least from the W. Coast, and can be tracked online. I would not recommend using DHL, etc. for incoming items. Just to be extra safe I would have your friend place the card in some cardboard or inside a pamphlet, etc. I have had a number of cards sent here that way without any problem.

I agree. I have had several important pieces of mail forwarded by USPS Global Priority Mail and this service has been very reliable.

[naka]

Been using DHL monthly for the past 3 years.

Never a problem. and yes, use some additional bulking up of the envelope.

Note that some couriers will not accept a card ... so don't tell them.

Naka.

[KhunDennis]

I can also recommend USPS Global Priority Mail , has worked well for me.

Official looking envelope and tamper resistant.

[technocracy]

I'll just throw in a nod for Fed-Ex. Always use them for any important docs or expensive items very reliable and decent customer service also.

[Crossy]

I'd go with FedEx for documents and the like, things that won't attract the customs chaps.

Do note however that sometimes they seem to have 'difficulty' finding private addresses, company address = no problem

[Jingthing]

Does USPS Global Priority Mail require a signature on arrival? Or if so, can the sender opt out for that?

[Jingthing]

OK, I still haven't tried this and now I have another card I want sent.

I think people are suggesting the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope method from USPS.

I read that a customs form 2976 is required for this.

The only way to send it without a customs form needed would be simple non trackable First Class Mail International.

So, if using the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope method and sending a credit card, what to list on the form? I assume listing credit card would be a bad idea, so I am not sure what I would tell my sender to write down there.

Customs Form 2976

Providing information about the contents of the parcel or item. Including:

(1) Give a detailed description, in English, quantity and unit of measurement for each article, e.g. 2 men's cotton shirts, especially for articles subject to quarantine (plant, animal, food products, etc.).

(2), (3), (6) and (7) Give the weight (in lb./oz) and value of each article (in US $) and the total weight and value of the item.

(4) and (5) For commercial items only. If known, HS tariff number (6-digit) must be based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System developed by the World Customs Organization. Country of Origin means the country where the goods originated, e.g. were produced, manufactured or assembled. It is recommended you supply this information and attach an invoice to the outside to accelerate Customs clearance in processing the items.

Note: Commercial item means any goods exported/imported in the course of a business transaction, whether or not they are sold for money or exchanged.

Edited January 28, 2008 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Could he just put down "business documents" with a value of 0 on the customs form?

[Maestro]

...what to list on the form? ...

Description of content: documents

Value: USD 1.00

--

Maestro

[Jingthing]

Thanks Maestro, I wasn't far off.

[jstumbo]

I can also recommend USPS Global Priority Mail , has worked well for me.

Official looking envelope and tamper resistant.

So in the US it is handled by the post office, but who handles it in Thailand? The Thai post office? Seems like I would trust a large multinational corp more than the Thai postal system. I sent some stuff global priority mail to China before. it never arrived. post office said there was nothing they could do because once it got to China it was out of their hands.

[Jingthing]

I think you can't tell Fedex either that it is a credit card.

[xyborg]

Crrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy I know but twice I have sent credit crads to my wife by normal post to Bangkok (from the UK) and they have arrived with no problems and within 3 days. Maybe just lucky but I find Bangkok quite reliable for arriving post, Phuket a nightmare lost every single parcel about 4 in total!!

[endure]

Sorry to butt in on Jing's thread but any other recommendations for sending cards from the UK (to CNX)?

[The Professor]

regular mail. I've had countless cards sent this way

[endure]

Thanks Prof...

[PadThaiGuy]

Regular mail, UPS, Fed Ex etc .

Just don't send the PIN # in the same envelope.

[Crossy]

Regular mail, UPS, Fed Ex etc .

Just don't send the PIN # in the same envelope.

or in any envelope to the same address. Clever chaps these posties, particularly when a means of bypassing the 'walking' part of the ATM appears. My dad sends my cards regular mail, PIN in an email.

[jfchandler]

There are two main "express" methods of sending mail to Thailand via the U.S. Postal Service. Both have flat rate envelope options that are pretty reasonable, especially for documents or smaller items.

The first, Express Mail International, is more expensive, but quicker (they estimate about five business days) and is trackable.

The second, Priority Mail International, is less expensive, slower (they estimate 6-10 business days) and is NOT trackable.

I was having my mail forwarding service use Priority Mail International, and it was taking close to two weeks typically for my mail to go from Texas to BKK (ie, 10 business days)

But over the Christmas holiday, I had a flat rate envelope ship on Dec. 3 and it didn't arrive here until Jan. 5 (in perfect condition, not having been opened or any other sign of distress). I had thought it had been lost and couldn't track it to be sure, but was surprised later when it arrived more than a month after shipping. That was the end for me of U.S.P.S.

So I switched to a more expensive delivery method, I believe my service will now use DHL, and it arrives here 2 or 3 days later. Sometimes time is more important than money.

See the flat rate pricing below for U.S.P.S. to Thailand:

Express Mail International — Flat Rate

Flat-Rate Envelope (9.5" x 12.5"):

$25.00

Priority Mail International — Flat Rate

Flat-Rate Envelope (9.5" x 12.5"): $11.00

May contain items that may be sent as First-Class Mail International. The maximum weight is 4 lbs.

Flat-Rate Box: $37.00

<a name="ep3307392">Merchandise is permitted, but written communications having the nature of current and personal correspondence are not permitted. The maximum weight is 20 lbs. or the limit set by the individual country.

[moldy]

I have a friend sending me a new US bank ATM card. What method would you use?

DHL?

Fedex?

USPS registered mail?

Something else?

any of the above. Hope your friend is as reliable.

[Jingthing]

Proirity mail flat fee envelope sounds pretty good. I am not clear if that one (the 11.00 one) is trackable or not. Also, if it is trackable, do they need to get a signature on arrival?

Another thought I have about sending it regular air mail is that if you do that it just looks like a regular letter, while if you send it "special" you obviously care alot about it, so perhaps it might even be safer to send it regular international air mail?

Edited January 29, 2008 by Jingthing

[jfchandler]

As I mentioned in my post above, PRIORITY mail through U.S.P.S. (the less expensive method) is NOT trackable, and no signature is required. The Thai postal people just leave it at your address.

I haven't done EXPRESS mail international (the more expensive method), so I don't know the exact procedures, except that it IS trackable online.

[britmaveric]

Use FEDEX!!!

[Smokin Joe]

I use the USPS Global Priority Mail when I have stuff sent to me and it has always arrived, but has taken up to 10 days.

If you want better security and peace of mind I agree with using FedEx.