Mailing my fiance a copy of our K-1 Packet

[AmerFila 10]

I was just wondering what everyone paid to mail their fiance's a copy of their K-1 Packets. I paid $212 to mail it via FedEx. I also mailed her some Jewelry valued at $300 and we received notice they want another $200 in taxes and duties before they will deliver it. Holy ST!!!! Thats messed up. Everytime i turn around i have to pay something. I feel like i am Hemorrhaging cash.

[sevenrider860 9]

$212 seems high. Did you go straight to Fedex or use one of the shipping stores? I have paid between $60 to $95 to send letter packs via FedEx or DHL depending on the location in the Philippines. Most countries have customs duties on items being shipped/mailed and a lot depends on how the customs form was completed. Most personal items (exception of electronics and appliances...not sure about jewelry) are exempt. There are special companies that specialize in Balikbayan Boxes, cash transfers, etc that can be much cheaper than the traditional shipping companies. If time is critical, DHL or FedEx are still the best options.

[VOL 425]

I was just wondering what everyone paid to mail their fiance's a copy of their K-1 Packets. I paid $212 to mail it via FedEx. I also mailed her some Jewelry valued at $300 and we received notice they want another $200 in taxes and duties before they will deliver it. Holy ST!!!! Thats messed up. Everytime i turn around i have to pay something. I feel like i am Hemorrhaging cash.

Now you see why electronics are so expensive in Philippines compared to USA, I suspect it is their high custom/duty fee.

I made the same mistake years ago, I shipped my fiancé a old laptop (But it was high tech compared to what they sell in Philippines) I declared value of $100 and had to pay like 300 to get it released from customs

I have had great luck shipping electronics, tools via Bailkayan box.

Best thing when going to Philippines I always buy a new laptop $300 here same one would cost $800 there and leave it. As far as sending presents it just better to send cash and let your girl buy what she wants.

[Hank_ 9,173]

I was just wondering what everyone paid to mail their fiance's a copy of their K-1 Packets. I paid $212 to mail it via FedEx. I also mailed her some Jewelry valued at $300 and we received notice they want another $200 in taxes and duties before they will deliver it. Holy ST!!!! Thats messed up. Everytime i turn around i have to pay something. I feel like i am Hemorrhaging cash.

You do not need to send your fiancee a copy of the I-129F petition package ( I know you read somewhere to do this... totally unnecessary, don't bother). Don't waste your money!

If you do anything, simple email a copy of YOUR G-325A to her so she has information on you and your parents for answers questions at the interview.

Only document that need to be an original is the I-134. You can even email copies of your tax return and W-2 if you so choose.

For details on the complete process follow the flashing arrow below in my signature.

[AmCha241 0]

I got luck with the last one. I went to a UPS store, made sure the label said "Time Sensitive Immigration Documents." "Urgent." Declared value 1 dollar.

50peso duties on delivery.

[Babylovejensen 0]

You do not need to send your fiancee a copy of the I-129F petition package ( I know you read somewhere to do this... totally unnecessary, don't bother). Don't waste your money!

If you do anything, simple email a copy of YOUR G-325A to her so she has information on you and your parents for answers questions at the interview.

Only document that need to be an original is the I-134. You can even email copies of your tax return and W-2 if you so choose.

For details on the complete process follow the flashing arrow below in my signature.

Really?! my fiance sent me a copy of I-129F package..but he sent it using First class mail of USPS, so its not that expensive.. now, im waiting in vain for that package to arrive ..i just realized, it will arrive 2-3 weeks the mail was sent last jan. 20 only.. i haven't set up an interview date because of that..if i knew that i-134 is the only thing needed in original, i should've tell him to use DHL or Fedex.. anyway, i still have until Feb. 6 to wait...(at wits end)

[Hank_ 9,173]

Really?! my fiance sent me a copy of I-129F package..but he sent it using First class mail of USPS, so its not that expensive.. now, im waiting in vain for that package to arrive ..i just realized, it will arrive 2-3 weeks the mail was sent last jan. 20 only.. i haven't set up an interview date because of that..if i knew that i-134 is the only thing needed in original, i should've tell him to use DHL or Fedex.. anyway, i still have until Feb. 6 to wait...(at wits end)

Yup ... really. Total waste sending the I-129F package (maybe send the G-325A through email), only original document needed is the I-134.

And don't use USPS to send anything of value or necessity

[CowBoE 429]

I was just wondering what everyone paid to mail their fiance's a copy of their K-1 Packets. I paid $212 to mail it via FedEx. I also mailed her some Jewelry valued at $300 and we received notice they want another $200 in taxes and duties before they will deliver it. Holy ST!!!! Thats messed up. Everytime i turn around i have to pay something. I feel like i am Hemorrhaging cash.

I scanned everything (except for those that are required to be original) into a PDF file and emailed it to her,

and she took it to a local print shop and printed (about 80~100 pages) for less than $10.

I then sent 5 day delivery of 1/2 pound package via FedEx to China for about $50.

Had I sent the entire thing, I think it would have been about $200 also.

[Mawnee 2]

I mailed it twice. First I mailed it via USPS for $22. But 4 weeks later and only one week to go until her interview, it hadn't arrived. So I mailed everything again via DHL for $60, it arrived in 4 days. The usps package did eventually arrive...the week after her interview(6 weeks after being mailed)

I'm in Florida and she is in Lapu-Lapu

[Hank_ 9,173]

Should have sent her flowers...

[Babylovejensen 0]

I mailed it twice. First I mailed it via USPS for $22. But 4 weeks later and only one week to go until her interview, it hadn't arrived. So I mailed everything again via DHL for $60, it arrived in 4 days. The usps package did eventually arrive...the week after her interview(6 weeks after being mailed)

I'm in Florida and she is in Lapu-Lapu

OMG now im getting really scared should i tell my fiance to send me the original docs like tax and i-134 thru DHL? the interview slot for February is starting to get full... i still have to deal with the NBI thing & im so stress now i still need to submit my resignation..

[Hank_ 9,173]

OMG now im getting really scared should i tell my fiance to send me the original docs like tax and i-134 thru DHL? the interview slot for February is starting to get full... i still have to deal with the NBI thing & im so stress now i still need to submit my resignation..

Don't need originals of the tax return or W2, he can email them to you. Heck have him email a copy of the I-134 and send it DHL, just so you have something on hand. Lately the embassy has not been taking the I-134... so go figure?

Edited January 28, 2015 by Hank_

[luckytwo15 13]

OMG now im getting really scared should i tell my fiance to send me the original docs like tax and i-134 thru DHL? the interview slot for February is starting to get full... i still have to deal with the NBI thing & im so stress now i still need to submit my resignation..

Are original tax documents required by the Usem instructions?

[Zedayn 485]

I scanned everything (except for those that are required to be original) into a PDF file and emailed it to her,

and she took it to a local print shop and printed (about 80~100 pages) for less than $10.

This is the way to go here. The I-129F packet isn't needed for anything other than review for the embassy interview. Sending a digital copy is by far the best way to send it.

OMG now im getting really scared should i tell my fiance to send me the original docs like tax and i-134 thru DHL? the interview slot for February is starting to get full... i still have to deal with the NBI thing & im so stress now i still need to submit my resignation..

Why don't you have your fiancé send the original signed I-134 document by courier such as DHL or FedEx? I know when my wife sent documents to me via FedEx from Manila, it took me 3 days to receive. You may end up receiving the I-134 much faster than waiting on the postal mail. Your fiancé can email you copies of his tax return, which you can just print out.

Are original tax documents required by the Usem instructions?

No, copies of tax returns are fine.

[Babylovejensen 0]

Don't need originals of the tax return or W2, he can email them to you. Heck have him email a copy of the I-134 and send it DHL, just so you have something on hand. Lately the embassy has not been taking the I-134... so go figure?

Hi Hank i agree its good being prepared... i spoke to fiance earlier, he will send me soft copy of his g325 and those tax thing.. our deadline for the packet to arrive is until Friday, Feb. 6.. i dont want to stress him out actually

I also told him that, if the packet didn't arrive on that day, we don't have a choice but to send me the important docs thru DHL..

by the way, i think were missing the Letter of Intent thing in our convo.. we also need that right? he sent the one with his original signature in the packet..