[Dx-qsl] How best to send DXCC submission?

[Peter Dougherty]

At 17:48 27-09-04, you wrote:

>EXCEPT.....took it to USPS to send the thing registered mail. They didn't
>like the clear tape I put on the envelope, gave me some brown tape and a
>wet sponge, told me to take the clear tape off and put the brown tape
>on. Of course, the envelope ripped and I'm back to square one.
>
>But I'm no longer terribly inclined to give USPS the business (clear tape
>seems to work just fine for the rest of the shipping universe).

Hi Joe,
Don't feel bad. This is an international mailing requirement for Registered 
Mail, and here's why. All openings of a package or envelope must be 
completely sealed and air-tight, and the postmark stamp must make an 
indelible impression over both the sealing tape and the packaging, so as to 
prove the item was never tampered with during shipment.

The problem with clear sealing tape is that the postmark can't be made 
indelibly on plastic -- it could easily smear. This is also the same reason 
why Tyvek envelopes can't be used for registered mailing. Don't ask me why 
bubble-mailers or cushion mailers can't be sent registered either, but they 
can't.

Registered mail is physically separated from normal mail, is signed for at 
every hand-off and never left unguarded. It's of significant use for 
sending material of value (insured up the wazoo, of course). In order to 
get handled this finely, it's at the expense of time.

>What's the best way to send a relatively small quantity of cards (60) for 
>DXCC? I usually
>do UPS

To be honest, your best bet would be USPS Express Mail or Express Mail 
Guaranteed. You get a tracking number to track its whereabouts, and to 
Newington, from just about anywhere in the US, it's an overnight trip so 
its time in transit (where it's subject to mishandling) is significantly 
less. Conversely, UPS Red/Blue or Fed Ex wouldn't be bad choices either.

If you're more economy-minded and still want some peace of mind, send USPS 
Certified, Return-receipt requested or even Priority Mail with delivery 
confirmation.

Personally, I've sent registered in the past, but I will likely use Express 
Mail for this coming week's DXCC submission of 300+ cards.




73 de Peter (W2IRT)
w2irt at nac.net

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