Forgot greencard in US and Wife in China with 4 yo boy

[wexler 0]

Cant decide whether I should take it personally from US to China which will cost me $4500.00 because of express passport, visa , airline ticket and dog boarding for 2 dogs. I am afraid to FEDEX because it may get lost and I saw some blogs complaining that Fedex can lose a package or there could be customs delays. Is she doesnt get it then she can lose her job and get booted out of college. Please give me your advice, I am getting bent out of shape here. Shw needs to get on a flight in 10 days and she cant board without it. Transportation letters - they will file a report and first you have to prove you lost it so thats too complicated.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Don't mail it.

You can get a transport letter if you left it behind. Contact the embassy.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Duplicate thread (without comment) removed.~

[Operator 1,927]

I don't think it would be that hard for her to prove that her green card is in your possession. If she is in, or near Beijing CBP has an office at the Embassy but they say it takes a minimum of 14 working days to process the application for a boarding foil..

Many people say it's illegal to mail a passport or a green card however the US Embassy in Tokyo says on their website "If you have left your Green Card in the U.S., please arrange for someone to send it to you overseas."

You can read it here.

I wouldn't send it by USPS though. I sent something to my wife via USPS once and it ended up in India and then a month later it ended up back in my mailbox. DHL is more reliable in China from my experience.

[Operator 1,927]

Don't mail it.

You can get a transport letter if you left it behind. Contact the embassy.

Why "Don't mail it"? I've heard lots of folks say it not legal but I can never find a reference. Can you help me Shifu (master)?

[Darnell 8,479]

bigdog recently sent out his wife's new green card via USPS International Express (EMS) - was 94 bucks, she got it 5 days after he dropped it in stateside.

I am a big fan of DHL, however. Suggest you go in person to a DHL office, and get it out fastest method.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Why "Don't mail it"? I've heard lots of folks say it not legal but I can never find a reference. Can you help me Shifu (master)?

Because there is a chance for it to get lost or stolen by mail inspectors and I don't think it's safe. A guy just posted on here he mailed an engagement ring and has been charged with like $2K in "fees" at the foreign customs.

I have seen references that it is also illegal but I don't have them handy and I haven't read them thoroughly to know where the lines are. I do think it is a security risk for the US gov, though, because it could fall in to the wrong hands and help create forgeries.

The embassy has the ability to give the LPR travel papers to return to the US. My friend forgot his GC here last year and he got a travel letter at the embassy, no problem. Since that option exists i don't see the reason to try to mail it.

[newacct 688]

Because there is a chance for it to get lost or stolen by mail inspectors and I don't think it's safe. A guy just posted on here he mailed an engagement ring and has been charged with like $2K in "fees" at the foreign customs.

So? If it gets lost or stolen, then you can go to the embassy (which otherwise you would have to go to anyway) and say it was lost or stolen.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

So? If it gets lost or stolen, then you can go to the embassy (which otherwise you would have to go to anyway) and say it was lost or stolen.

Yeah, and then pay $500 or whatever to get a new one. This way saves potentially 500 bucks, a deal!

[Operator 1,927]

Find someone with a Chinese visa who has weekends off and get them to take it for you. That way you don't have to pay for a visa or board the pooches.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Go to the airport and find a flight attendant going to China and have your partner meet at the airport over there.

Oh wait this is USA not Nigeria, you'll probably be arrested for solicitation at the airport and jailed under some post 9/11 law for harassing flight crews

On a serious note, just choose DHL/UPS/FedEx and send the fastest way.

Good luck.