ANy idea about the reliability of US Postal Service (USPS)?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

UPS and Fed cost more but you get what you pay for.

[beameup 0]

Each country outside the U.S. have differing problems with the delivery systems.

You have to actually ask someone and get local information to make the proper decision as to reliability.

There are perhaps 6 different delivery systems in the Philippines and the choice also depends upon which way the mail is going - either INTO the country or OUT OF the country.

In the case of Express Mail Service, outbound mail is not a problem. As far as inbound mail goes, U.S. Global Express is never opened by customs if it's only documents and delivery time is short. ALL other carriers including UPS, FedEx, LBC, DHL, etc. are opened and inspected by customs unless they are strictly documents.

BUT IT ALSO DEPENDS UPON WHERE YOU LIVE IN A PARTICULAR less developed COUNTRY - remote regions are less efficient generally. In a case like that, I would choose a relative in a metropolitan area to receive the mail and then pick it up.

UPS and Fed cost more but you get what you pay for.

[patiently_waiting 0]

I haven't read all of the posts, but I just used USPS Global Express to send my SO a bunch of stuff for his interview. I sent two packages on two different days. He received them both. Not in the the 5-6 days, but more about a 8 days. There was a delay in foriegn customs. I was able to track and see when it was sent to his country, from where it shipped and then when it was out of foriegn customs. I would use it again and again. Regular snail mail is not as reliable. He is still waiting for snail mail that was sent in January. Global Express lived up to it's name and was so much cheaper. I would recommend it.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

In the case of Express Mail Service, outbound mail is not a problem. As far as inbound mail goes, U.S. Global Express is never opened by customs if it's only documents and delivery time is short. ALL other carriers including UPS, FedEx, LBC, DHL, etc. are opened and inspected by customs unless they are strictly documents.

So they are the same then?

[beameup 0]

So they are the same then?

$18 Global Express vs. $46 FedEx for virtually the same service for documents but it takes 4-5 days longer.

I just bought a merienda (snack) for the postal clerk and now she texts me as soon as it arrives.

In the case of Express Mail Service, outbound mail is not a problem. As far as inbound mail goes, U.S. Global Express is never opened by customs if it's only documents and delivery time is short. ALL other carriers including UPS, FedEx, LBC, DHL, etc. are opened and inspected by customs unless they are strictly documents.

[waiting4ever 0]

I have recently sent documents through DHL to India and their service is fast and reliable. It cost me around $55 but I think it was worth the money. I have also sent documents thorough USPS and they have always been delivered but they take about 2 weeks. And I am talking about regular airmail which costs about $3. On the other hand, DHL takes about 3 days and I am able to track the progress on website. So it is up to you. DHL is expensive but extremely fast and reliable.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

$18 Global Express vs. $46 FedEx for virtually the same service for documents but it takes 4-5 days longer.

I just bought a merienda (snack) for the postal clerk and now she texts me as soon as it arrives.

I see. Ahhh the ole feed the postal clerk trick. Works every time.

[beameup 0]

$18 Global Express vs. $46 FedEx for virtually the same service for documents but it takes 4-5 days longer.

I just bought a merienda (snack) for the postal clerk and now she texts me as soon as it arrives.

I see. Ahhh the ole feed the postal clerk trick. Works every time.

It's kind of a "Filipino thing" - you would have to live here to understand

*just like the term pasalubong, or the ancient Greek tradition of "bearing gifts".

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

$18 Global Express vs. $46 FedEx for virtually the same service for documents but it takes 4-5 days longer.

I just bought a merienda (snack) for the postal clerk and now she texts me as soon as it arrives.

I see. Ahhh the ole feed the postal clerk trick. Works every time.

It's kind of a "Filipino thing" - you would have to live here to understand

*just like the term pasalubong, or the ancient Greek tradition of "bearing gifts".

Similar to Thailand. We donated a Buddha statue to my wife's local temple and had a HUGE party the night before. The cops showed up only to get their share of the booze and food

[ELW 5]

I wanted to send by cheaper and just as reliable DHL, but no drop-off office near where I live. So I sent replaceable stuff (document copies) via USPS and it arrived in Hyderabad in 9-10 days. Sent non-replaceable original documents via FedX, sent on Friday, arrived next Monday safely. For myself, I know USPS is USUALLY reliable but just to be sure wanted the REALLY important stuff to go by a reliable courier.