Air Courier to send docs USA to Philippines for 221g

[DFO 3]

We got a 221g requesting resubmission of original documents. Husband has some of the documents in Cebu, while I have the rest here in Florida. 

 

There is no LBC courier currently offering Air Freight within a 14 hour drive from me. So I was thinking about sending via Global Express USPS (3 days to Cebu City)... BUT... I'm concerned about the incomplete address and getting lost along the way. Address is xx compound, xx district, cebu city. No building number, no street name. 

 

We've had good luck with LBC, but other couriers seem reluctant to send without a building number and street name.

 

Seems like I might a few choices. 

 

1. USPS Global Priority- and hope that they're cool with no building #/ street name .. 

2. Fedex overnight to relative in USA, then send by LBC Air Freight. Last time I sent documents, they told me 2 weeks air freight, actual time was 6 weeks. 

3. Send my documents direct to Embassy (?), while he submits by 2GO in separate packages (?) -- but that might confuse the Embassy, adding delays. 

 

Are there any other choices?...Fastest possible, because we're in a time crunch before Medical expires, and we're anticipating long processing at Embassy... 

 

What should I do?

 

 

 

 

 

[DFO 3]

Just re-read the 221g and "All documents should be provided at one time" , so it seems option 3 is out. 

[Adventine 3,223]

We've had good experiences with DHL, even in COVID times. Took about 5 calendar days to send documents from Manila-Chicago / Manila-Memphis, and that was with "normal" shipping priority. I don't see why it would take significantly longer to ship the other way, from USA to PHL.

 

The only thing I could see being a potential problem is the rather vague address, but presumably the DHL local office in Cebu is familiar with their area.

[nelmagriffin 168]

Greetings!

How about DHL then asked them to hold the documents and have your husband pick it up.

NG

[DFO 3]

3 hours ago, nelmagriffin said:

Greetings!

How about DHL then asked them to hold the documents and have your husband pick it up.

NG

I saw that Fedex offers "hold at location" in Metro Manila, but I can't find where DHL offers that service. Have you done it? 

[flicks1998 1,044]

4 hours ago, DFO said:

We got a 221g requesting resubmission of original documents. Husband has some of the documents in Cebu, while I have the rest here in Florida. 

 

There is no LBC courier currently offering Air Freight within a 14 hour drive from me. So I was thinking about sending via Global Express USPS (3 days to Cebu City)... BUT... I'm concerned about the incomplete address and getting lost along the way. Address is xx compound, xx district, cebu city. No building number, no street name. 

 

We've had good luck with LBC, but other couriers seem reluctant to send without a building number and street name.

 

Seems like I might a few choices. 

 

1. USPS Global Priority- and hope that they're cool with no building #/ street name .. 

2. Fedex overnight to relative in USA, then send by LBC Air Freight. Last time I sent documents, they told me 2 weeks air freight, actual time was 6 weeks. 

3. Send my documents direct to Embassy (?), while he submits by 2GO in separate packages (?) -- but that might confuse the Embassy, adding delays. 

 

Are there any other choices?...Fastest possible, because we're in a time crunch before Medical expires, and we're anticipating long processing at Embassy... 

 

What should I do?

 

 

 

 

 

DO NOT EVER USE USPS to ship to the Philippines.  Using USPS means when your mail arrives to the Philippines it is picked up by Philippine Post.  You may never see your documents again, or it will take a very long time to receive.  Long time meaning many months or more.  Never consider USPS for any shipment involving the Philippines.

 

I have used Fed Ex from US to the Philippines with no issues in the past.  In the past year, I have done quite a few mailings and never had an issue, its just expensive.  Maybe around $75-100 for a document folder to be sent and it will arrive in-country in 3-5 days.  May take a little longer for Cebu due to the limited flights at the moment.  As for the house number etc, Fed Ex, DHL, UPS in the Philippines know this is common not to have this, but in the US, your Fed Ex employee has no idea on local conditions so they may insist on this.  However, when I was living in Manila, I would designate Fed Ex or UPS to leave it at the "main office" and I would go pick it up.  Im sure this may be an option in Cebu and you should ask at your UPS store or Fed Ex store in the US.  If send by Fed Ex, I believe its LBC who picks it up on entry and delivers or its another carrier.  

 

If you can find a DHL place close to where you live in the US, then they are a good option as well. 

[DFO 3]

21 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

DO NOT EVER USE USPS to ship to the Philippines.  Using USPS means when your mail arrives to the Philippines it is picked up by Philippine Post.  You may never see your documents again, or it will take a very long time to receive.  Long time meaning many months or more.  Never consider USPS for any shipment involving the Philippines.

 

I have used Fed Ex from US to the Philippines with no issues in the past.  In the past year, I have done quite a few mailings and never had an issue, its just expensive.  Maybe around $75-100 for a document folder to be sent and it will arrive in-country in 3-5 days.  May take a little longer for Cebu due to the limited flights at the moment.  As for the house number etc, Fed Ex, DHL, UPS in the Philippines know this is common not to have this, but in the US, your Fed Ex employee has no idea on local conditions so they may insist on this.  However, when I was living in Manila, I would designate Fed Ex or UPS to leave it at the "main office" and I would go pick it up.  Im sure this may be an option in Cebu and you should ask at your UPS store or Fed Ex store in the US.  If send by Fed Ex, I believe its LBC who picks it up on entry and delivers or its another carrier.  

 

If you can find a DHL place close to where you live in the US, then they are a good option as well. 

Thanks for the feedback! 

 

Global Express Guaranteed goes through USPS/FedEx, not PhilPost: https://www.usps.com/international/gxg.htm

[flicks1998 1,044]

1 minute ago, DFO said:

Thanks for the feedback! 

 

Global Express Guaranteed goes through USPS/FedEx, not PhilPost: https://www.usps.com/international/gxg.htm

Just do a double check when you send the document that Fed Ex will actually be the one delivering in the Philippines.  You can have this double checked at the time of mailing in the US.  You dont want it to cross over to Phil Post.  I have always avoided USPS for 20+ years on anything into the Philippines.

[top_secret 2,715]

4 hours ago, Adventine said:

The only thing I could see being a potential problem is the rather vague address, but presumably the DHL local office in Cebu is familiar with their area.

I have always thought that "delivery person in the Philippines" must be one of the most challenging jobs that exists.  Amazingly they usually seem to come through.

 

 

Probably more important that the address is make sure there is a good local phone number.  The delivery guys will text or call if they need help locating someplace.

 

 

[nelmagriffin 168]

Why cant it be Fedex? and have him pick it up? I dont think it will take that long.

Edited April 6, 2021 by nelmagriffin

[RO_AH 1,684]

10 hours ago, DFO said:

Thanks for the feedback! 

 

Global Express Guaranteed goes through USPS/FedEx, not PhilPost: https://www.usps.com/international/gxg.htm

I would not trust it. I sent Global Express Guaranteed and it had to be picked up at Phil Post. Of course they required a duty fee be paid.

 

I have used and recommend DHL

[Joe Kano 327]

Fed Ex or DHL are the only options I used when sending document or important papers to the Philippines.

 

 

[seekingthetruth 1,255]

IMHO DHL has to best service to/from the Philippines.

 

Fedex second, UPS third.

 

Hold for pickup is a common request.  Write the phone number in black marker on the front and back of the envelope.

[Hank_ 9,174]

19 hours ago, DFO said:

We got a 221g requesting resubmission of original documents. Husband has some of the documents in Cebu, while I have the rest here in Florida. 

 

There is no LBC courier currently offering Air Freight within a 14 hour drive from me. So I was thinking about sending via Global Express USPS (3 days to Cebu City)... BUT... I'm concerned about the incomplete address and getting lost along the way. Address is xx compound, xx district, cebu city. No building number, no street name. 

 

We've had good luck with LBC, but other couriers seem reluctant to send without a building number and street name.

 

Seems like I might a few choices. 

 

1. USPS Global Priority- and hope that they're cool with no building #/ street name ..  BAD PLAN .. USPS becomes PhilPost in the Philippines .. and that isn't a good thing .. ever.

2. Fedex overnight to relative in USA, then send by LBC Air Freight. Last time I sent documents, they told me 2 weeks air freight, actual time was 6 weeks. 

3. Send my documents direct to Embassy (?), while he submits by 2GO in separate packages (?) -- but that might confuse the Embassy, adding delays. 

 

Are there any other choices?...Fastest possible, because we're in a time crunch before Medical expires, and we're anticipating long processing at Embassy... 

 

What should I do?

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with seekingthetruth  DHL, FEDEX and lastly UPS       I personally use FEDEX and documents arrive in under 5 days  (FYI;  FedEx is 2GO in the Phils).