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Seeking advice on having documents sent to Colombia from overseas.

Greetings PBH amigos,

I have my heart set on living and working in Colombia (the exact city remains to be seen). I am a qualified English teacher with many years experience, however I did not bring my official documents (TESOL cert. University Degree. Police Check) with me to South America for fear of damage or theft as I explored the continent. Consequently, I require these original documents to be sent to Colombia and I cannot risk their disappearance, as it would be near impossible to replace them without undertaking another costly and time consuming EFL course.

What I am seeking is advice on the fastest and most secure way to have such documents sent to Colombia, and if certain cities or companies are preferable. It may also be helpful to know that my country of origin is Australia.

Thanks in advance.

By mentaloxide on Oct 30, 2008, 11:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

bickerss says on Oct 30, 2008, 11:29:

DHL

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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machin1967 says on Oct 30, 2008, 11:40:

Absolutely do not do it! I recently sent documents to the Embassy in Bogota using Fed X.
I needed to do that because there was a need for original documents, I had thought I would be able to travel in person, but at the last moment, realized I could not travel due to problems with my business.

My fiancee was going for the financee visa interview.

Anyway, it cost almost $300 for expedited service. And when the package arrived, the embassy informed my fiancee that the "Affadavit of Support" was not included in the paperwork. So I do not know how that is possible since I was the one who packed the box personally. And know for a fact that I had placed two notarized Affadavit of Support forms in the box.

So either someone at Fed X took them, or somehow the embassy lost them.

It makes me very nervous since I had many other financial papers included there.

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 30, 2008, 12:27:

I'm with bickerss, try DHL. That's what the US Department of State uses to send visa petitions and attached documents to every embassy in the world.

Diana

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 30, 2008, 12:51:

http://www.auspost.com.au/internationalpost/products/eci/index.asp

Have the sender put your cellphone number on the package as well as your delivery address.

When I received my parcel from Australia using this service, DHL was the contracted deliverer at the Colombia end. You can track it online.

que nota!

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Gator says on Oct 30, 2008, 14:15:

Me to, if it really, really must get there DHL

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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lampltr says on Oct 30, 2008, 15:05:

DHL & TNT perfect and they do not report to the US Gov't. (Foreign based carriers), unlike FED EX. Always, Always have certified duplicates...never send originals, you do then face the consequences.

machin1967, $300 for expedited service...they saw you coming!! I ship small boxes there (Central Colombia with the second being a contracted carrier to our front door), all the time expedited which are weighted down and rarely pay over 100 euros. You better look around for a better, low cost, reliable service rather than Fed Ex. Don't get me wrong they are good, but I would have to say TNT #1 (Guaranteed 2 day svs. Europe to Colombia), DHL #2 and so on....I would have to say the Embassy lost the docs not the carrier.

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jinksmiester says on Oct 30, 2008, 18:00:

ive used fed ex sending the other way (colombian goods importing)as in colombia to canada...best rates i could get and reasonable time 2 to 3 days.Dhl is more widley know and available in colombia.I used fex ex to send documents for my wife...documents to the embasssy and documents for forien colombian workers and so far no problems.

A man is not old until regret takes the place of dreams

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casa_de_norte says on Oct 30, 2008, 18:24:

DHL and Fed Ex only.....Preferably DHL...... NEVER, NEVER use the postal service... I am still waiting for some Holloween cards to make it to Colombia, that I sent to my wife's kids, mid september... Funny how things always get diverted when sent to Colombia, (not just Colombia, but alot of countries)...

"Why cain't we all jus' git along?!?! "----- The great Rodney King

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mentaloxide says on Oct 30, 2008, 18:57:

Awesome. 8 replies in a matter of hours, and really helpful info. You guys and gals rock! Thanks heaps.

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 31, 2008, 09:09:

DHL definitely. And have the documents sent to yourself or someone you trust in Colombia, for later personal submission to the embassy or whatever you need them for, so there can be no excuse of lost documents this time.

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omargue says on Nov 3, 2008, 10:49:

UPS all the way, the german company DHL is going out of business in the US and are losing all there contracts to UPS and FEDEX. I am personally a UPS driver and know the process and what we do go get you the package. if you send it next day air it will be there by 10.30 in the morning. if not by latest 3pm (next day saver) USPS is no good, takes way too long.....

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