geekhack
geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: jcrouse on Thu, 11 October 2012, 06:32:42
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I am in CONUS and would like to ship a small box to Korea, contacting a set of keycaps, say 120 or so. What is my best choice from a cost perspective. Speed is not important.
Thanks
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I had use usps before to send some items from the states to korea without any problem
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I had use usps before to send some items from the states to korea without any problem
Last time I did that it was about $40 for a very small box. What USPS method? There are many? Also, how about thoughts or experience with insurance? I'm looking for details.
Thanks cactux,
John
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I believe USPS small flat rate boxes are only around 15
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It's $18 for small flat rate box
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For international I recommend send first class + registered for anything of value. This way its fairly cheap and you get a tracking number thats good from door to door.
If it's not valuable just use a bubble mailer and first class for about $6-8.
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Go through USPS. I had to ship my leather jacket to Korea to get a zipper fixed, and they were able to do it cheaper than everyone else. UPS, FedEx, and DHL will rape you with their rates.
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You can fit 120 keycaps into a small flat rate priority box. That will cost you $18. Using the small flat rate box also allows you to use the small CN-22 international customs form, which provides delivery tracking within the US. You cannot add insurance to this option.
Once it's airborne, your tracking number no longer works within the states. But in some cases, the same number is passed onto local/domestic posts and is trackable via their domestic website. This is rare, but definitely a bonus if it works.
Edit: Pros of using Priority = Faster. Pros of using lysol's method = cheaper, safer, and ability to insure. Given what you've said, I think lysol's method of first class + registered mail is the way to go. Make sure you get a box though, don't want any crushed keycaps.
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Thanks everyone. Much appreciated.
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Flat rate boxes are great, but all are based on the concept that what is inside is fairly solid and moderately heavy.
If a small box flat rate is based on 4 pounds and your item weighs 1 pound, International Priority Mail may be a good bit cheaper than a flat rate box of the same size.
If you are mailing a brick, use the flat rate box.
A full-size keyboard shipped via Priority Mail comes out almost exactly the same as the flat rate box price.