How to send those important papers
Mar 12th 2006, 12:05 am
#1
Small Dane
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: UK, was Japan
Posts: 42
How to send those important papers
I am wondering how to bring to the UK all those really important certificates which you hardly ever need, but if you lose them its a major hassle. Things like my birth certificate, my kids birth certficate, marriage certificate, naturalisation certificate. I put them all in a plastic file but now I'm wondering what's the safest way to bring them. I could either bring them in my hand luggage on the flight to the UK (with the very slight risk that I might get mugged in the airport), or put them in my suitcase on the plane (which might go astray), or I could send them via air mail in advance of my arrival (with the risk of loss in the post). I think hand luggage is the best option - at least I can control the risk that way.
I am also sending a whole bunch of other necessary, but not vitally important, documents (about 20kg in all) via air mail. It's a risk but I've never once had an air mail package from or to the UK go missing here in Japan (which has probably the world's best postal service). I realise that the safest way is to use a guaranteed delivery postal service but that is seriously expensive for 20kg of papers.
Any thoughts anyone?
I am also sending a whole bunch of other necessary, but not vitally important, documents (about 20kg in all) via air mail. It's a risk but I've never once had an air mail package from or to the UK go missing here in Japan (which has probably the world's best postal service). I realise that the safest way is to use a guaranteed delivery postal service but that is seriously expensive for 20kg of papers.
Any thoughts anyone?
Mar 12th 2006, 3:24 am
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,245
Re: How to send those important papers
Might I suggest purchasing a briefcase and a pair of handcuffs...................as seen in a number of movies etc.
Mar 12th 2006, 9:56 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: Back in the UK where I belong!
Posts: 158
Re: How to send those important papers
Originally Posted by Viking Man
I am wondering how to bring to the UK all those really important certificates which you hardly ever need, but if you lose them its a major hassle. Things like my birth certificate, my kids birth certficate, marriage certificate, naturalisation certificate. I put them all in a plastic file but now I'm wondering what's the safest way to bring them. I could either bring them in my hand luggage on the flight to the UK (with the very slight risk that I might get mugged in the airport), or put them in my suitcase on the plane (which might go astray), or I could send them via air mail in advance of my arrival (with the risk of loss in the post). I think hand luggage is the best option - at least I can control the risk that way.
Mar 12th 2006, 7:23 pm
#4
Cynically amused.
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: BC
Posts: 3,648
Re: How to send those important papers
Originally Posted by Viking Man
I am wondering how to bring to the UK all those really important certificates which you hardly ever need, but if you lose them its a major hassle. Things like my birth certificate, my kids birth certficate, marriage certificate, naturalisation certificate. I put them all in a plastic file but now I'm wondering what's the safest way to bring them. I could either bring them in my hand luggage on the flight to the UK (with the very slight risk that I might get mugged in the airport), or put them in my suitcase on the plane (which might go astray), or I could send them via air mail in advance of my arrival (with the risk of loss in the post). I think hand luggage is the best option - at least I can control the risk that way.
I am also sending a whole bunch of other necessary, but not vitally important, documents (about 20kg in all) via air mail. It's a risk but I've never once had an air mail package from or to the UK go missing here in Japan (which has probably the world's best postal service). I realise that the safest way is to use a guaranteed delivery postal service but that is seriously expensive for 20kg of papers.
Any thoughts anyone?
I am also sending a whole bunch of other necessary, but not vitally important, documents (about 20kg in all) via air mail. It's a risk but I've never once had an air mail package from or to the UK go missing here in Japan (which has probably the world's best postal service). I realise that the safest way is to use a guaranteed delivery postal service but that is seriously expensive for 20kg of papers.
Any thoughts anyone?
Use a courier service. Just so that you are prepared, you will need birth certificates, marriage certificates, naturalisation certificates, certificates denoting what colour underwear you wore on January 5 1973 etc. etc. over and over again here.
Last edited by dingbat; Mar 12th 2006 at 7:27 pm.
Mar 13th 2006, 2:47 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,754
Re: How to send those important papers
Originally Posted by Viking Man
I am wondering how to bring to the UK all those really important certificates which you hardly ever need, but if you lose them its a major hassle. Things like my birth certificate, my kids birth certficate, marriage certificate, naturalisation certificate. I put them all in a plastic file but now I'm wondering what's the safest way to bring them. I could either bring them in my hand luggage on the flight to the UK (with the very slight risk that I might get mugged in the airport), or put them in my suitcase on the plane (which might go astray), or I could send them via air mail in advance of my arrival (with the risk of loss in the post). I think hand luggage is the best option - at least I can control the risk that way.
I am also sending a whole bunch of other necessary, but not vitally important, documents (about 20kg in all) via air mail. It's a risk but I've never once had an air mail package from or to the UK go missing here in Japan (which has probably the world's best postal service). I realise that the safest way is to use a guaranteed delivery postal service but that is seriously expensive for 20kg of papers.
Any thoughts anyone?
I am also sending a whole bunch of other necessary, but not vitally important, documents (about 20kg in all) via air mail. It's a risk but I've never once had an air mail package from or to the UK go missing here in Japan (which has probably the world's best postal service). I realise that the safest way is to use a guaranteed delivery postal service but that is seriously expensive for 20kg of papers.
Any thoughts anyone?
Make copies of everything. Carry the originals with you and send the copies via Fed Ex or registered mail.
Mar 13th 2006, 7:14 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 338
Re: How to send those important papers
Originally Posted by nun
Make copies of everything. Carry the originals with you and send the copies via Fed Ex or registered mail.
Mar 13th 2006, 7:16 pm
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 338
Re: How to send those important papers
Originally Posted by cabritpop
Might I suggest purchasing a briefcase and a pair of handcuffs...................as seen in a number of movies etc.
Mar 14th 2006, 3:40 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 235
Re: How to send those important papers
Chance of being mugged + the consequences of losing the certificates (which can all be replaced eventually) is not sufficient to worry about. Take it in the hand luggage though.
If you need to have something to worry about focus on bird flu or something else.
If you need to have something to worry about focus on bird flu or something else.
