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Mail forwarding

4.2K views 27 replies 15 participants last post by  strich  
Discussion starter
172 posts · ed 2016
OK One more time...what is the best mail forwarding outfit based in the US for those living in the PI with the balance of service and cost.

I want to start while I am in the states so I can have the system done pat.

Thanks

Reba
 
I think any of the companies that have been around awhile will be about the same. I have talked to guys that use different companies and we all seem to get about the same services.

There are free levels of service and pay, at most companies. I pay $15 a month. All my mail is automatically scanned in and I get an email telling me there is mail. I could have them email it to me, but would rather just go to their website and the PDFs I want. They do package forwarding, as well as regular mail. Also, check deposit. I did not think I would need that but have used it a few time already.

I picked Traveling Mailbox because it has a Dallas, TX address I could use. So my new address is in the same city I was in. I have used them for almost 5 years and have absolutely no problems with them.
 
PhilPost - My Experience

A question to the experienced. How reliable is PHLPOST both internal delivery services and items from overseas? Do things go missing? Cheers, Steve.
bigpearl, Before I knew much about postal services in the Ph, I used Philpost to deliver 2 domestic parcels, both to and from the same location at the same time. One arrived on time, the other 3 weeks later. Knowing what I know now, I regard myself as extremely fortunate that both parcels arrived at all. Since then, I used Philpost's EMS Track and Trace Service and also their standard postal service to send documents to the UK. They managed to lose both items and their track and trace was useless.

Even worse as far as I was concerend, their customer service was absolutely dreadful with the result that I would never ever use PhilPost again. Yes, they are cheaper than LBC but LBC have never lost any of my mail and I have used them for both domestic and international mail. Very often it is not until something goes wrong i.e. your mail is missing, that you find out how good or bad an organisation really is. PhilPost failed miserably and I can only describe their track and trace sytem and customer service as shambolic. Of course they get it right sometimes and you may be one of the lucky ones. For me, never again! Good luck.
 
For outgoing from here to the states, I do use PhilPost and have not had a problem. I have my forwarder in the states send mail & packages to me using DHL or FedEx. Quite a few years ago while I was still in the states and my now-wife was in Manila, I sent her a Birthday card which was delivered to her about 2 month late. Now I know that the USPS system handed it over to PhilPost in about 2 days time. I have not had anything coming this way go through them plus I have heard stories even though unsubstanciated of pilfering while in custody of PhilPost. The Delivery person has to collect any Customs Fees which are due on packages as he turns the package over to you.

Fred
 
When I met my wife to be it was all by post, no internet. All my mail to her was opened and took a week or two to get the lenght of her road. Anything that the posty couldn't reseal easily went missing, cards and the like. I sent her a cheap camera which was substituted for a cheap local camera. Had to laugh as the camera I had sent was cheaper than the one they delivered.
 
Just saw the last post and ed about LBC. I made out my Income Tax Document for 2016 and was going to send it. Went into LBC and she started to open it. I asked her what she was doing. She said she had to see the document. I replied "The Hell you have to see it", Grabbed it from her hand and walked out. They have no business in my tax documents. Took it to PhilPost and mailed it for 55 Pesos versa what LBC was going to charge 1500 Pesos.

Fred
 
Regardless of a "Mail" forwarder Your mail will go through Phil Post when it hits PH ,, I had a "MAIL ONLY" forwarder and cancelled it << All my Mail Gets to my place in a Mindanao province ,, It takes a little longer than what you are accustomed to in the states
Getting packages is different ,, You definitely need a "Package" forwarder if you plan on E-Shopping or whatever
 
Not so!! The one I use which is US Global Mail, and I would guess most all reputable forwarders give you options as to how you want your letters or packages to get to you. FedEx & UPS are not much more expensive than USPS and the items are delivered to you without going through PhilPost and their delay.

Fred
 
Forgot to mention this. If you elect to have a package delivered to you using the USPS(United States Postal Service), the mail WILL go through the PhilPost system. When it arrives, if a package, then they will only deliver to you a notice to go the the PhilPost office where you will pay the customs fee before it will be released to you. If you elect to have it delivered by UPS or FedEx, then UPS or FedEx acts as the customs and the delivery person will collect the customs fee when they deliver it to you. Usually I receive the packages within a week using the private carrier but the one time I did use USPS&PhilPost it took almost 3 weeks plus I had to go to the PhilPost office to get it. Normal mail(letters, bills & Etc) usually take about 6 days to get here by FedEx or UPS and the carrier will deliver directly to you, whereas with this same type mail through the USPS/PhilPost connection is questionable.

Fred
 
I hear you, most of my mail is digital these days but still 10 to 15 letters a month come to our post box, 6 of these I can get rid of by telling the bank to send electronically and most of the others will be gone when I go,,,,,,,,,, what do you do with ASIC and the ATO etc,,,,,,, more homework but sorted it we will.
I buy stuff on Ebay often and wonder if I will ever see it once living in PH.
Purchased a battery in PH 6 years ago for a laptop and it never turned up.

Cheers, Steve.
 
I don't get a lot of letter mail anymore, but there are a few things. My retirement statements send me a paper copy. I the pdf from my mail forwarder and have them shred the original.

Mostly what I have forwarded in the last year was voter's registration, a driver's license, a couple credit cards, and my insurance card. You need the originals on those.
 
About the same here. Don't know if this is the case for everyone but SS also sends me a paper statement each year as to what they put into my s, they also send a hard copy if there will be any changes for the year. If & when one files for 13A, the hard copy is necessary to prove income. This same hard copy is necessary when I file a Income Tax Return each year to determine if some parts are eligible or not to be declared as income or exempt. I also receive a paper statement each month from my Pension Fund as to what is deposited to my s. Another thing, as there are some firms in the US who will not ship things to the Philippines because of the bad reputation of the mail system, I have anything I purchase in the US sent to Houston and then I can have it forwarded to me with just a couple clicks of the mouse.

Fred
 
(Edited)
This is an old tread but great info for someone looking to move to the PHL. Recently, I used USPS 5 business day guarantee service from the USA to PHL, attorney firm in Manila, it took 12 days to deliver. The postal clerk in the USA told me that FedEx handled their international mail service. I don't know who the parcel was handed off to in the PHL. Does anyone have any new updates that they could add to conversation?
 
USPS is partnered with PhilPost, PhilPost has an expedited delivery service now. Sounds like PhilPost because of the slower delivery time.

It's tough for me to answer (many others may know) because the courier services work together like LBC and Air21 and then there's DHL.

FedEx with insurance is much faster 3-7 days but the cost could be much higher. If your sending ATM cards make sure to add insurance or your delivery never arrives or arrives minus the card, make the delivery items to read photos..
 
kmgeis said:
Just forward a renewal CC through my digital mail box in the USA, to the Philippines through UPS insured. Very interested in how this arrives. I locked the CC just out of caution ⚠.
I don't think that's necessary. I've been getting my cc and everything else forwarded from PhysicalAddress for years...although with them FedEx is always the lowest price option.
 
This is my physical USA address. Brick and mortar location handled by real people. But I have digital access to all my incoming mail. Scanning, PDF files, shredding, forwarding, return mail and packaging, in person pick-up, notary services, banking/check deposits, mail holding for 1 month free. I get daily notices through my email if I have received any mail. I just and see whats been scanned. If I want it opened and scanned to a PDF, I just select what I want done with the mail. It's a great service for anyone interested in having/keeping a physical address in the States and not dependent on family or friends to deal with your mailing issues.
 
kmgeis said:
This is my physical USA address. Brick and mortar location handled by real people. But I have digital access to all my incoming mail. Scanning, PDF files, shredding, forwarding, return mail and packaging, in person pick-up, notary services, banking/check deposits, mail holding for 1 month free. I get daily notices through my email if I have received any mail. I just and see whats been scanned. If I want it opened and scanned to a PDF, I just select what I want done with the mail. It's a great service for anyone interested in having/keeping a physical address in the States and not dependent on family or friends to deal with your mailing issues.
I have the same service, it's PhysicalAddress.com
 
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