Most secure domestic document shipping (USA)?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 87
Most secure domestic document shipping (USA)?
Hello chaps,
Hope you lads had a nice weekend. Please move/delete this thread if it does not belong here.
I need to send of my important documents (e.g. passport) via overnight shipping to the UK Embassy in Washington DC from Houston, TX.
I had a bad experience with FedEx Ground last month, when sending a letter to a company in Boston. Obviously FedEx Express is handled differently.
However, could you tell me if you have any preference for FedEx/UPS/USPS when shipping important documents, and any additional services that you can add which will make them handle the package more carefully?
I know of the regular insurance feature, but any other value added services that you know of?
Or is there some other carrier which is more suitable for shipping important documents domestically?
Thanks
Andrew
Hope you lads had a nice weekend. Please move/delete this thread if it does not belong here.
I need to send of my important documents (e.g. passport) via overnight shipping to the UK Embassy in Washington DC from Houston, TX.
I had a bad experience with FedEx Ground last month, when sending a letter to a company in Boston. Obviously FedEx Express is handled differently.
However, could you tell me if you have any preference for FedEx/UPS/USPS when shipping important documents, and any additional services that you can add which will make them handle the package more carefully?
I know of the regular insurance feature, but any other value added services that you know of?
Or is there some other carrier which is more suitable for shipping important documents domestically?
Thanks
Andrew
#2
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,483
Registered Mail is likely to be your most secure option.
Registered Mail
What are the characteristics of Registered Mail?
What are the characteristics of Registered Mail?
- The most secure United States Postal Service mail (protected by safes, cages, sealed containers, locks and keys).
- Requires a signature upon delivery.
- Delivery information will provide delivery status or attempted delivery status when the item reaches its destination, it will not provide tracking of the item as it is enroute to its destination.
- Customers can obtain a record of delivery by purchasing Return Receipt Service.
- Registered Mail can be sent to military locations. However, delivery information is not available for items destined to an APO / FPO.
- A system of receipts is provided to monitor movement of mail from the point of acceptance to delivery. Access to these receipts is not readily accessible and can only be done by initiating a claim form (not a phone service).
- ID numbers typically begin with two letters ("R" followed by another letter) followed by nine numbers and the letters "US", for example: RA 000 000 000 US, the ID number can be located in the upper left-hand corner of the receipt.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA - HNL, SEA, DEN, ORD, MCO, and all points inbetween
Programs: Way too many!
Posts: 1,188
+2. Registered Mail when OVERNIGHT is not mandatory. It may not be the FASTEST, however, it is the most secure.
I'd personally use FedEx overnight if you absolutely, positively have to have it delivered OVERNIGHT. You stated "Overnight". Registered mail is available ONLY for FIRST CLASS MAIL, and is NOT Guaranteed OVERNIGHT.
I used UPS Express once too often. Too iffy. Had a few letters lost or mishandled in delivery. The UPS manager told me that their "Conveyor" system in their sort facilities was not designed for "Letters" but parcels, and sometimes overnight letters slip through the cracks and end up mis-sorted. Thus delayed a day or two at best, a week or more at worst. So, for overnight, I use FedEx. For "Security", Registered Mail.
Good luck.
I'd personally use FedEx overnight if you absolutely, positively have to have it delivered OVERNIGHT. You stated "Overnight". Registered mail is available ONLY for FIRST CLASS MAIL, and is NOT Guaranteed OVERNIGHT.
I used UPS Express once too often. Too iffy. Had a few letters lost or mishandled in delivery. The UPS manager told me that their "Conveyor" system in their sort facilities was not designed for "Letters" but parcels, and sometimes overnight letters slip through the cracks and end up mis-sorted. Thus delayed a day or two at best, a week or more at worst. So, for overnight, I use FedEx. For "Security", Registered Mail.
Good luck.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 87
Thank you for the replies chaps. I need to get the package there overnight I believe, so I guess registered mail may not work?
It looks like I may just be limited to FedEx and UPS. I believe the Embassy returns the documents by UPS Next day Express.
Thank you,
Andrew
It looks like I may just be limited to FedEx and UPS. I believe the Embassy returns the documents by UPS Next day Express.
Thank you,
Andrew
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Thank you for the replies chaps. I need to get the package there overnight I believe, so I guess registered mail may not work?
It looks like I may just be limited to FedEx and UPS. I believe the Embassy returns the documents by UPS Next day Express.
Thank you,
Andrew
It looks like I may just be limited to FedEx and UPS. I believe the Embassy returns the documents by UPS Next day Express.
Thank you,
Andrew
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I don't think it really matters. There are people who have had problems with UPS and only use Fedex or the Post Office. There are people who have had issues with either Fedex or the Post Office and will never use them again.
Of course, there are people who never had a problem with any of them.
I would just use whichever is easiest for you, if you are near a post office send it express overnight, if near a ups store bring it in and let them tell you which costs less.
Of course, there are people who never had a problem with any of them.
I would just use whichever is easiest for you, if you are near a post office send it express overnight, if near a ups store bring it in and let them tell you which costs less.
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Speed vs. Security
Speed: Fedex, UPS or USPS Express Mail. All are overnight and from Houston to Washington, DC, both Fedex & UPS offer delivery options as early as 8:00 AM.
Security: USPS Registered Mail. This almost certainly will not go overnight. Registered mail is sealed in front of you and is then logged into and out of each stop it makes along the way. For that reason, it is likely to take longer than regular First Class mail, but as noted it is as secure as it gets.
Security: USPS Registered Mail. This almost certainly will not go overnight. Registered mail is sealed in front of you and is then logged into and out of each stop it makes along the way. For that reason, it is likely to take longer than regular First Class mail, but as noted it is as secure as it gets.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA - HNL, SEA, DEN, ORD, MCO, and all points inbetween
Programs: Way too many!
Posts: 1,188
I use FedEx.
I'm sure others will have a different opinion. I've personally never had an issue with FedEx.
I've not had an issue with Express Mail yet either.
Agreed, anyone can have a bad experience with any carrier. Good luck on your choice. I'm sure you'll be fine with either.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
read about how the diamond guys ship diamonds(i have forgotten). if it's good enough for them shipping a mil in diamonds, it is good enough for me. i recall they did not insure for big bucks.