USPS VS Fedex VS UPS

[energyimport]

Hey guys hows it going?

I had a question when it comes to customs, shipping, and procedure between these 3 ways to ship.

First do the different shippers use different custom locations when going to the same address? IE USPS is based in NYC but what about fedex or ups do they go through the same location via customs or because they are a private business have a different customs clearing process?


Who in your opinion would have stricter inspection guidelines when going through customs?

Who would be more likely to send a LL VS controlled delivery VS just tossing it out for the same type of small quantity package?


Who has an easier time getting permission / warrant to open a suspicious package?


I know this is open to speculation but I would like some thoughts on it

[Cgreen]

I haven't been around that long, but I've had the best luck with USPS so far. I'm speculating (based on a few very expensive classes I took for three years, if you know what I mean) that because they're a federal government agency, while it's easier to obtain a warrant, losing their case against you in court would have more expensive consequences for them.

[Baldy]

If thy ship it domsticallybtherevare usually nil issues inernationalnshipmnts draw komoe attention. I've doun that registered kpmailnis mor successful for me.

[Paco]

I think every one of those entities goes through the same customs regime however I could be wrong. Certainly, ups and FedEx are faster however I don't think it's because they are not going through the same procedures.

[audacity]

For domestic shipments USPS has the huge advantage of requiring a search warrant to be opened. FedEx and UPS can open packages at will. I'm not sure if the search warrant requirement applies to international mail that has passed customs undetected and is now basically domestic mail.

[GoingBananas]

Most mail domestic is fairly safe statistically speaking. Especially if we are talking about things in pill form . It is very rare that anything for personal use is confiscated randomly this way except in he case of unusually poor;y packed packed material. I too did quite a but of studying as well as having done pretty extensive research on postal system in various countries. ( I figured why not make college fun)

The worst things you can do are order large quantities of anything that is not in a pill form from another country. Other than that the amount of worry you need to do is about zero.

[smokinjoe]

@kohlnk ,off subject here but the guitar picture in your gallery is a killer . i can see someone like Carlos Santana behind it jo

[sophie30]

I think every one of those entities goes through the same customs regime however I could be wrong. Certainly, ups and FedEx are faster however I don't think it's because they are not going through the same procedures.

Another copy.

[demi]

MY experience USPS is the best route to go, UPS and Fedex have tougher declaration requirements when accepting shipments that are international. Just as an example, I purchase Kratom from Indonesia, the indonesia mail usually hands off the packages to USPS for domestic delivery. I had countless packages go through without an issue. Well they switched to a UPS handoff instead, and my package sat in customs for 2 weeks, I had to call them and then fax some paper work declaring what the package contained... and they also charged me $22 for holding the package..

USPS is the way to go trust me.

[leppy2006]

I've had better luck with UPS. Two or three times this past year I've been sent a package by Fedex overnight and it's taken two days. I don't recall having any issues with UPS. I know the sender prefers UPS.

[gstone]

Use USPS, they're on the verge of being out of business so theyre not going to discriminate packages as say Fedex would.

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As well as USPS being cheaper to stay competable in the market, imo fedex is way overpriced and they seem alot more concerned what's being shipped via theyre company.

[MusiciansMallet]

For international shipments... its my understanding if you use USPS it is usually tendered via FedEx or UPS (meaning, international shipments are initiated/contracted out to FedEx or UPS & then transferred to USPS upon entry into the US). I could be wrong, but this is my understanding based on the information given to me by my local Postal Service customer service rep (I pick up domestic packages there & had inquired about int' shipments as i am considering using an IOP vendor).

But I have only used US based pharmacies as of present. I personally prefer FedEx & UPS b/c you can hold the package for pickup, whereas USPS refuses to do so--they insist upon attempting a delivery & will not hold it unless you do a GENERAL mail hold (at least w/ my local post office). And I sometimes have to go to my local FedEx facility as often as twice a week! But, I have no worries as I am not ordering scheduled medication, so my circumstance is most likely different than yours.

BUT In regards to a warrant: whether quasi-public (USPS) or private (FedEx/UPS), it still requires independent action by the judicial system to obtain a warrant! The only difference I could possibly see is this: *IF* a warrant is obtained, search & seizure may occur more quickly w/ USPS than FedEx or UPS. USPS unilaterally can't search & seize a package via a warrant obtained by itself.. only customs may seize the package, but this is different than a warrant. Although, as mentioned, its conceivable that due to FedEx & UPS both being completely private entities, if they include in their private contract w/ the shipper (which is the customer.. not the recipients) that packages may be searched or seized at anytime, this may be legal.. as (like i just said) its a completely private agreement between two private entities; shipper & courier (however, i've never heard of such a clause being included when a shipper, or a vendor in this case, signs up for a UPS or FedEx account, but, I could be wrong.. i've never gone through the process). Furthermore, the USPS is technically an independent agency- it isn't government owned like say Amtrak; think more along the lines of pre-recession Freddie Mac & Fanny Mae which are gov't sponsored enterprise (while the USPS technically isn't a gov't sponsored enterprise & the intricacies of finance & mortgages w/ Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae are MUCH MUCH more complex; the USPS is closer in its functionality than Freddie or Fannie than an a truly public owned business).

Hope this helps, sorry if its somewhat off topic!

[pod77]

UPS and Fedex do not have to obtain a warrent and can open your package at anytmie, that is a fact

[MusiciansMallet]

UPS and Fedex do not have to obtain a warrent and can open your package at anytmie, that is a fact

Do you have any references on this? I'm not saying you're necessarily wrong.. but i've read (and heard) quite the opposite.. (also would be interested in a source/reference for my own personal interest/knowledge).

But, what you're claiming is technically conceivable.. in retrospect. After all, the shipper having an account with FedEx or UPS is a private contract... And IF they were to include a clause in their account agreement stating that packages may be searched at anytime, this wouldn't be in violation of what is espoused in the unlawful search & seizure amendment. BUT- i'm personally not aware of any "clause" in their contracts w/ shippers (which is why i'm eager to read your source ..if you have one; i hope you do! ..interesting matter & very relevant/pertinent to this discussion--but i sure hope your source isn't anecdotal evidence, but an actual source! Although, not saying an anecdotal experience wouldn't be helpful- but it certainly doesn't mean it is an absolute fact).

Anyway, in addition, we as recipients certainly aren't their customers, but I still could foresee some legal issues with search/seizure of our packages (w/o a warrant) by FedEx/UPS arising there, if what you say is true (especially since we sign no such agreement; neither w/ the shipper/vendor or the courier).

Further-still, (again, if what you're saying is true), this would then apply to USPS too. It is NOT government owned agency; it is an independent business operation. Although, its authority is instilled via the executive & it has certain pseudo-governmental powers (such as immunity against monopolies in certain areas of mail couriers), & this may complicate unilateral searches. Although, the only complication I could see (again, assuming your premise is "fact"), is in challenging the constitutionality of such actions of non-warrant searches & seizures by the USPS (not talking about customs, whole different ball game)... and not necessarily explicit prohibition of these actions by the executive or legislator/congress.

[willonia]

I've never had a problem with any of the three, although I use USPS the most. My biggest qualm with USPS is they suck at updating tracking information. I've had packages delivered to my house and afterwards checked tracking only to find that the latest tracking update for that package is that it departed a sort facility in a city 2 hours away from me. By the next day it will have updated that it was delivered. This isn't always the case, but most of the time in my experience.

[alumni]

Do you have any references on this? I'm not saying you're necessarily wrong.. but i've read (and heard) quite the opposite.. (also would be interested in a source/reference for my own personal interest/knowledge).

This question has been litigated very often by US courts.
The issue revolves around two specific differences between private carriers staffed by employees (who have been legally defined as "civilians") and "police/government agents" (who have been determined to include postal employees along with law enforcement).
Civilians have been judged to be not constrained by the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure. Agents of the government are.
Second, when you ship via a private carrier like FedEx and UPS, the boilerplate language in the waybill states affirmatively that by agreeing to their shipping T&C's employees of their company are authorized to open any package in your shipment.
Thus, private carriers' employees can open the package without a search warrant but postal employees cannot.
An excellent discussion of these differences can be found on the le.alcoda.org web site under NONPOLICESEARCHES.

[JoeyButtafuoco]

I think USPS offers the best bang for buck with priority shipping. 2-3 days coast to coast.
I always read about how USPS sucks at tracking, but they get it right 95% of the time with me.

[WilkinsMG]

i didn't see it mentioned.. usps has to have a warrant to open any packages (with the exceptions of going through customs). ups and fedex can open any package at any time.

[willonia]

I always read about how USPS sucks at tracking, but they get it right 95% of the time with me.

Yea they get it right, but I'm impatient and I want my updates now!!! Lol.

[Rescue3000]

US mail is Federal...FedX says FED but is not neither is UPS...When something is brought threw the regular mail it's simple to see thats a Federal offence...take your chances if you like...packages and envelopes do come from foreign countries every day to everywhere...personally,I won't play around with the US Government US mail..Over and out..~~~Captain~~~