The United States is filled with immigrant workers. About 28 million immigrant workers in the United States, about 17% of the workforce. There are even more workers in the United States who have families abroad and have American citizenship.
About 18 million Asian immigrants are in the country, most of whom are from Southeast Asia. Experts believe they will surpass the number of Hispanics (the country’s highest number of immigrants) by 2055. If you’re an Asian immigrant living in a country, you know the challenges of connecting to your family in Asia. However, there are some ways you could send care packages when your family needs them back home.
Sea Cargo
Sending your cargo by sea is one of the most popular ways to send large shipments, such as clothes, appliances, or even a car. It’s also one of the cheapest methods. The price is based on the size and weight of your shipment, so it’s essential to plan. For example, if you send a care package to multiple people, you could save money by shipping them together.
This is the most common form of sending care packages for Filipinos. Sea cargo to the Philippines is so common because it can bring many items home at an affordable price. It also has very few limitations, so people can send back as many things as they want back home. The average cost of sea cargo is around $100, making it the cheapest option on this list. But that depends on how much you’re planning to send back home.
Air Cargo
For those who want their items to arrive faster, you can send them through air cargo. This is an excellent option for smaller items that are time-sensitive, such as perishable food items or medicines. The price of air cargo is based on the weight and size of your shipment, so it’s essential to plan. Air cargo is an excellent option for those who need their items to arrive quickly and safely.
There are a lot of limitations to air cargo, such as the size and weight of the items. You also can’t air certain cargo items such as liquids, food items, and cosmetics. Because of this, this kind of delivery service isn’t used as much by Asians unless it’s for emergencies. The average cost of sending an air cargo care package is around $200.
These two kinds of cargo are the most common ways to send care packages to your family in Southeast Asia without getting any help. First, ensure that you have a Courier service ready to deliver the items to your family’s doorstep. Some cargo services already have their courier service to help you out. However, if your service doesn’t have couriers, consider hiring one yourself.
Asking for Help From Friends
One of the most common ways people send packages back home is by asking for help from friends heading there. If you have a friend going on a trip back to their home country, they can help you send your items. All you need to do is give them your items and the money for shipping, and they will take it from there.
However, this method isn’t foolproof as your friends might not be able to bring everything with them. This depends primarily on their mode of transportation. For example, if they travel mainly by air, then what they bring is very limited. It’s because most airlines have weight and size restrictions for luggage.
Another thing to consider is that your items might get lost or damaged in transit. So, this method would be best to send only non-essential items. They also might lose or damage your things while en route. Make sure that you trust your friend before entrusting them with your belongings. This is the least safe option when compared to the other options above.
Buy Items Through E-commerce
Buying E-commerce shops and shipping items is becoming another common way to send packages to Asia. The most significant advantage of this method is that you don’t have to be physically present to send the items. Instead, you can shop online and have the items shipped directly to your family.
This is a convenient way to send gifts or other necessary items back home. However, there are some disadvantages to this method. First, it’s essential to find a reliable E-commerce shop that ships to your family’s country. It would be best if you also read the reviews first before buying anything. Second, the shipping cost might be quite high, depending on the weight and size of your purchase. If you’re ordering something big, you might pay double the amount compared to the options above. It’s also not an option if you’re planning to ship something you already have.
You should only use this method if you’re confident in the E-commerce shop. Ensure that they provide tracking numbers so you can check on the status of your items.
Sending Packages to Asia
There are many ways to send packages to your family in Asia. By choosing the right method, you can ensure that your items arrive safely and on time. Do your research first and compare the prices and services of each option before shipping anything back home.