Shipping from America

Hey everybody. I'm a new NET and I would like my family to send a few things from the states. I was wondering what courier other teachers have used, what's the cheapest, etc. I'm shipping Detroit to Daegu if it matters. I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer on the matter.

No guarentee that it's the cheapest, but my mom sends my care packages in priority mail flat rate boxes. It's $43.45 for about 6x12x8 inches and arrives in about a week from CT. It fits all the important stuff and she fills the extra space with american food (powdered mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce...mmm) an other treats.

I have the best mom!

I emailed her a word doc with my addess in both hangul and roman script so she can tape it to the box. The US makes you give them a roman address but I imagine the hangul helps it get to you once it's in Korea.

To make it easy on you, make sure to have it sent to your school.  Get the address in English and Hangul to give to your parents.  USPS should take about a week to get there.  Having things sent to your school makes sure that Korea Post won't leave a note on your door notifying you to pick up your package since they won't leave them at your place.  Oh, and make sure to have your parent(s) declare everything they send in the package.  Korea Post does reserve the right to inspect packages, particularly ones from the US and there are stories of KP employees randomly stealing items.  Obviously, don't send anything stupid. ;)

If you have friends in the military who are stationed in Korea have them ship it to your friend's APO. This will be DOMESTIC shipping. This is what I do.

I have stuff shipped from home every few months.  My last shipment was 50 lbs and cost me around $170 for 3-5 day shipment with the US postal service.

Also, this may sound bad but, try to be-friend someone in the military.  Using their address is a fringe benefit as you get domestic shipping rates and many merchants deliver to military addresses for free...i.e- Target.

If you don't have an APO, then flat rate boxes from the post office are the way to go, hands down. If you don't use a flat rate box it's usually $6 a pound (well, from FL it is). UPS and DHL are RIDICULOUSLY expensive. I'd stick with the good o' post office.

I agree that USPS priority flat rate boxes are the best way.  When I starting having stuff sent 3 years ago, they were only $33.00 per box.  Now it's about $44.00 .  I also agree that it's best to have it sent to your school as someone is always there.  My old landlord opened my box once and went through my stuff.  It usually takes about 8 days to get here and tracking is easy at www.usps.com

Thanks for all the advice. I live near Camp Walker, so maybe I can make an arrangement with someone.

My mom always sends items for me to my school (Seoseok....the country....) through the regular post office.  I have only heard horror stories from folks that I know that have used Fed EX, DHL, etc.  It usually takes about a week or so......

Also, you can get shipping estimates on the USPS website.  I've found them to be the cheapest option and you can track the shipment just like with Fedex and UPS.

If your parents from the states can find a place called Hanjin Express or Hanjin Daekbae it's actually a much cheaper way to send things to Korean than USPS. I sent about 30 pieces of clothing in a pretty big box for $56.