Mail system in Chuuk

Regarding mailing things to Chuuk Zone we thought that the best way to answer your questions would be best answered here.

Cost amounts --- It is all U.S. postage for all of Micronesia.
Everything MUST come priority or FIRST CLASS (otherwise it will end up on the slow boat from China and take at least 6 months). REALLY!

If you are mailing a package it is best to put it Priority mailing boxes (they are free at the post office) They charge by the box size, not the weight.

NEXT--- this is all very IMPORTANT if you want things to come safe and still be good.
* Tape the box up really, really well (tight and sealed) it has a long ways to travel > through heat, water and being thrown around with tons of other mail.
* When declaring your contents > be vague about it --- such as candy, write food items. "Gift" you don't have to write what it is.   You DO NOT have to list everything.

*If you are mailing something that cannot be replaced and gets lost or stolen, then it might be best to mail it DHL. (let us know and we can give you further instructions on this)
*If you declare your package is worth more than $200.00 they will have to pay customs and that delays the delivery.
*Keep your dollar amount low > even if you paid more for your things, it is safer when it doesn't look like it is worth much.  (You have to remember it is traveling a long way - a lot of people will be handling it) Put the odds in your favor.  And unless it has insurance on it > it don't matter.

*Breakable things > wrap really, really good in strong bubble wrap or something strong.
*Food items that could spoil --- DON'T MAIL.... The chances of that making it are pretty slim and it might come full of BUGs.  We don't like the bugs!!! We have enough here :)

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL THE MISSIONARIES ABOUT THIS --- ALWAYS, ALWAYS MAIL A LETTER WITH THE PACKAGE, THEY LOVE HEARING FROM HOME AND WHAT YOU ARE ALL DOING.  IT BRIGHTENS UP THE DAY WHEN THEY KNOW WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING. :)  GOODIES ARE GREAT, LETTERS ARE BETTER. NOTHING MEANS MORE TO THEM THAN YOUR LETTERS...BUT THEY DO LIKE THE FOOD :)

We don't want this to sound as though the Mail System is bad here.  What it is, is a small island in a small island country.  The Mail Clerks here work very hard and are always busy getting the mail out, I have never seen a busier post office (even on tax day in the states).  They are about to move into a new building soon and are now dealing with a less than ideal building in the temporary quarters.

If you have any other questions or concerns and we can help you out please feel free to contact us.