Sending documents and then potentially sending a good bit of money monthy

[Stevephoto 224]

I know that I have taken the general role of lurker recently (my personal information is now 4 to 10 years old depending on the stage of the journey readers/posters are in, so what I have is probably outdated). Anyway, it is my turn to get back on and ask some questions--on topics that have been covered before, but we could use some recent experiences. So, Joan and I are looking at getting land and building a home in the Phils. (Yes, we have been here before, but this one looks good).

 

1) We will need to send some documents to the Philippines. This came up in a post a week or so ago and it still seems like UPS or FEDEX is the way to go. Does anyone have any current information about whether these services are running within reasonable time frames now? Any particular preference between the two?

 

2) IF everything goes well, then will need to send a modest amount of money per month to build the houses. We use Xoom and the fees for what we send now are reasonable, but a bit much for what we might need to send. I just found a company called Wise (formerly TransferWise). Does anyone have any experience with them or have any other recommendations (Xoom would be about $95.00 for each transfer and Wise seems to be about $25.00).

 

Salamat!

[Adventine 3,187]

I think FedEx and Wise will be just fine for what you need.

 

1. In the past year, I've sent:

- via DHL: documents from PH to US: arrived in a week or so. Cost about PHP 2,500.

- via FedEx: used laptop from US to PH: arrived in two weeks. Cost about $95 with my husband's corporate account. No additional PH Customs fees.

 

2. We've used Wise for USD-PHP transfers for a few years now and never had a problem.

 

 

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by Adventine

[RO_AH 1,625]

24 minutes ago, Stevephoto said:

it still seems like UPS or FEDEX

I still prefer in this order:

1. DHL

2. FedEx

3. UPS

26 minutes ago, Stevephoto said:

2) IF everything goes well, then will need to send a modest amount of money per month to build the houses. We use Xoom and the fees for what we send now are reasonable, but a bit much for what we might need to send. I just found a company called Wise (formerly TransferWise). Does anyone have any experience with them or have any other recommendations (Xoom would be about $95.00 for each transfer and Wise seems to be about $25.00).

I use WU. If you do it online. bank to bank, there are no fees and a very good exchange rate compared to most. I have sent money regularly for 10 years and have used several. Xoom was the worst for me honestly. I used LBC in person for a long time. Next Remitly which had great service. In the end WU won out because zero fees and better exchange rate than Remitly. 

[Stevephoto 224]

Salamat to you both. I thought DHL passed the package off to "those who shall not be named" once it gets to the Phils, but we will look into it. 2.5 is better than UPS from what I have seen. Interesting about WU online. Will also look at that. 'Preciate the input.

[Oko Vicki 55]

For money transfers, try Sendwave. Their fee is arguably the cheapest around these days. 

[RO_AH 1,625]

2 hours ago, Stevephoto said:

Salamat to you both. I thought DHL passed the package off to "those who shall not be named" once it gets to the Phils, but we will look into it. 2.5 is better than UPS from what I have seen. Interesting about WU online. Will also look at that. 'Preciate the input.

I don't think any of them pass it off to Philippines Post. I don't know if you have an LBC office there on your island but that is also a very good option. If I remember correctly you are on Maui and there is a branch in Kahalui.

[RO_AH 1,625]

50 minutes ago, Oko Vicki said:

For money transfers, try Sendwave. Their fee is arguably the cheapest around these days. 

Cheaper than free? Also you should always calculate fee and exchange rate. Just looking at 1 will cost you in the end,

[Hank_ 9,173]

FedEx = 2GO in the Phils.     DHL and UPS would be my other choices.

 

WU and Remitly have no fee transfers but with limitations on amounts sent.  WU has been about .6 PHP better of the two.

 

As for sending larger sums of money, we have a USD acct in the Phils then use a wire transfer, the fee is $50 no matter the amount.  We move the money from the USD to the  PHP acct when the rates are best.    < This is not the cheapest unless sending larger sums.

[PWB 213]

I sent a large envelope to the Philippines via FEDEX and the cost was quite surprising,  Cost over 75 USD and got delivered in about three days. 

[Stevephoto 224]

11 hours ago, RO_AH said:

I don't think any of them pass it off to Philippines Post. I don't know if you have an LBC office there on your island but that is also a very good option. If I remember correctly you are on Maui and there is a branch in Kahalui.

Good to know. I was under a different impression. We are on Oahu. Last I checked, LBC put things on a ship (put that was for packages and a while ago). Mahalo!

[Stevephoto 224]

9 hours ago, Hank_ said:

FedEx = 2GO in the Phils.     DHL and UPS would be my other choices.

 

WU and Remitly have no fee transfers but with limitations on amounts sent.  WU has been about .6 PHP better of the two.

 

As for sending larger sums of money, we have a USD acct in the Phils then use a wire transfer, the fee is $50 no matter the amount.  We move the money from the USD to the  PHP acct when the rates are best.    < This is not the cheapest unless sending larger sums.

Aloha Hank! Yeah, we don't have that set-up yet. Hopefully in a year or two...or 3 when I retire! All good things to have to figure out--if all goes well this time!

[flicks1998 1,044]

1 minute ago, Stevephoto said:

Good to know. I was under a different impression. We are on Oahu. Last I checked, LBC put things on a ship (put that was for packages and a while ago). Mahalo!

USPS passes it off to the Philippine Post.  Its best to not use their Global Priority or any other type of mail format through them.  Some have reported the mail moving relatively quickly but most experience a significant delay.

 

Best to stick to what the others have mentioned.  Ive used FedEx and UPS without too many issues, although UPS can be a hassle to pick up in country.  Sometimes if they try to deliver and someone isnt home, they may ask for you to pick up in person, but this doesnt occur all the time. 

[Stevephoto 224]

Salamat everyone for the great suggestions. I have some (good) homework to do! Much appreciated.

[Stevephoto 224]

4 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

USPS passes it off to the Philippine Post.  Its best to not use their Global Priority or any other type of mail format through them.  Some have reported the mail moving relatively quickly but most experience a significant delay.

 

Best to stick to what the others have mentioned.  Ive used FedEx and UPS without too many issues, although UPS can be a hassle to pick up in country.  Sometimes if they try to deliver and someone isnt home, they may ask for you to pick up in person, but this doesnt occur all the time. 

Thanks. I knew That USPS passed it off. It's good know that the other options do not. We DID get mail about Joan's visa a long time ago, so the postal service does work--oh wait, her family got the letter about a year AFTER she was here and we were married! Never mind! 😉

[top_secret 2,112]

Our most recent experience with UPS was less than satisfactory.  Everything did get there.  "Express " service was 12 days.  It disappeared into a black hole in Shenzhen for about 6 of those days despite daily UPS cargo flights from Shenzen to Clark. 

 

This is what was shipped.

 

What was received differed significantly.

 

 

 

Disappointing for someone it was only documents with no value.