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Hello there,
I had some family members send me a box of books over 3 weeks ago using US priority mail. Still no word of the package...
Anybody have an idea of how long it usually takes to receive a package? Any hassles that I need to deal with in order to receive it?
also, half the books were new from Amazon-- will I need to pay anything extra tax etc. for the books?
Thanks!
package mail (add tags) Why? Details of tags
answered about 4 months ago by tengu
I'm still waiting for two packages with books sent to me more than three months ago, but a package containing cd:s and cookies arrived in under two weeks. Maybe they have a special and really time-consuming procedure for books at the Vietnamese customs office...
answered about 4 months ago by de2facon
If the sender purchased and was issued a tracking number, check the status of delivery as frequently as possible. My experience in sending business correspondence to different places in Asia using a variety of express-type mail services is delivery updates are sometimes periodic. I'll get an email or fax indicating receipt before an update is posted.
answered about 3 months ago by Phuc
Books or CDs must be sent by an express courrier such as DHL,TNT, UPS otherwise there is a good chance that they disappear. You can order from Amazon directly but use their express shipment with tracking number. and if you do not receive it they will send you another load. At the post office they are interested by educational books that they cannot afford or find here in Vietnam.
answered about 3 months ago by tengu
That is some very upsetting information, Phuc. I really need some of those books I'm waiting for to be able to do my work here. I suppose I'll have to pay for new copies and have them sent by UPS or DHL. Sometimes I really lose my patience with this country...
answered about 3 months ago by Spin
Thanks for all the feedback. the more i ask around about this, the more pessimistic I get... its unfortunate as i really need these books for work and i shelled out a lot of money to get them. had someone call the international post office here for me, and just got the run around. when directed to my local post office, i was told that they know nothing about it. i called USPS in the states and they opened an investigation, and they said that it would take 23 days for the Vietnam post to respond. so frustrating... anyway, I will keep you posted in case there is any good news!
answered about 3 months ago by grubby
How did you go about opening a case with the USPS? I suppose the outside pressure can't hurt, and I'm feeling blue about 3 wonderful computer books I ordered from Amazon too long ago.
answered about 3 months ago by mojo
I've had books shipped to me that were "confiscated" by customs and I was told the reason was that the materials contained within were illegal in Vietnam. Under the law, all “cultural materials deemed unsuitable to Vietnamese society” can be withheld by customs. I only found out they were taken because I had a friend call all over the damn country for me. FYI, the books were about 20th century Southeast Asian politics and Buddhism.
Hi Mojo, Do you remember where your friend began calling and who he/she finally got this answer from? There must be a place who specifically takes care of such matters and where these packages are kept. Thanks
Hi Spin, My friend eventually ended up speaking to someone at the ministry, I guess it must have been the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I'll call her tonight and ask!
answered about 3 months ago by Stosskraft
What you need when dealing with the Vietnamese postal system is patience. I had my drivers license sent to me by express service from Canada. I was able to track that it arrived in Hanoi 7 days after being delivered, then it took another 6 WEEKS to go from the Hanoi Post to my apartment. They seem to need alot of time to copy-review-use whatever material you get sent over.
Thanks everyone for the useful responses. Anyone have any successful stories about receiving books from overseas? looking for some hope...
answered about 3 months ago by CanadianA
Have to agree with everything said here already. Sometimes, sadly, things never arrive....
I've been reading and contributing to this thread and I was feeling very sorry for my loss until I saw the white envelope on my patio floor this afternoon. I was invited to my local post office (local is highly relative in this case) to pick up my already-mourned books. I've just picked them up, and, although the package has been opened, and the shrink-wrap on the books has been stretched, the contents are present. Is there anything better than an abandoned package showing up? It's like a free gift.
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