Mailing a Letter or Package from Pakistan

Processes such as using the post office, which are fairly straightforward in your home country, are not necessarily so in countries where bureaucracy pervades the way of life. Save yourself the headaches and time by knowing what to expect before you try to mail a letter or package from Pakistan.

In most major cities in Pakistan there are four options available. From the cheapest to the most expensive, they are the Pakistan Post, OCS, TCS, and Fed Ex. Following are details about sending letters and packages from each of these options.

Pakistan Post

The Pakistan Post, or the government postal service, will be your most affordable option, although it may not be as reliable as other services. While the other services promise 4-5 business day delivery of international mail, letters or packages sent by the Pakistan post can take 2-4 weeks. One letter I sent to Canada even took longer than one month through the Pakistan Post. For low cost, it is a great option, but not for speed.

On the positive side, domestic rates are dirt cheap with a 20 gram envelope costing only 4 rupees (about 5 cents). A heavier envelope up to 2000 grams will not be more than 50 rupees (61 cents). You can send a post card internationally for 26 rupees (30 cents) or a 20 gram letter for 33 rupees (40 cents). A 2000 gram package will cost about 1120 rupees ($13). I've found that most of my letters can be sent internationally for 80 rupees, or about $1. Prices have recently gone up, but as you'll see these rates are much cheaper than those of the competitors.

Sending packages can be a bit more confusing. Not all post offices are authorized to send packages. You must visit a main branch, have your parcel weighed, checked and wrapped in burlap sacks. Then it must be tied with rope. Sometimes package walas are available to tie up your package for a low cost, but I've never been to find one when I needed one. I only successfully sent a package through the Pakistan Post once, and that was after a Pakistani friend spent a week trying to figure out where to get it properly wrapped and tied.

OCS

OCS offers a trackable mail and package service both domestically and internationally. To send merely a letter internationally it costs 1300 rupees, which is ten to twenty times what you'll pay at the Pakistan Post. What you pay for is what you get, as they guarantee delivery in 4-5 business days where the Pakistan Post may or may not deliver the letter at all. OCS also offers same day and overnight shipping for domestic mail at an extra cost. They can do import/export shipping and warehousing as well.

If sending a letter or package through OCS, it must be able to be opened and searched. You must bring a copy of your passport or ID card in order to send anything overseas. Do not bring gift-wrapped or sealed items. Once I brought a gift wrapped item that I did not want to be opened. The agent asked if he could look inside and I gave him a peak. He then continued my order and pretended as if he was sealing the package. After I left, he searched through my package and re-wrapped it. It ended up with crumpled wrapping paper, ugly packaging tape, and sad looking red ribbon. If it had reached its destination it would have been a sad looking present. In order to avoid this, bring all items and wrapping materials to the office. Show all items and then wrap the package at the sending office. Make sure to watch the agent SEAL the envelope or box with several layers of tape so that you know it won't be rummaged through afterwards. Bring a photocopy of your ID card or you may not be able to send your package. A 2 kilogram envelope costs about 2400 rupees ($29), so it's not cheap.

I have sent domestic mail successfully through OCS, but not international mail. I was so turned off at the fact that the agent had gone through my package when I wasn't there that I decided to get my money and send it through another company.

TCS

Sending letters or parcels via TCS is much like sending through OCS, although it is slightly more expensive. Locals tend to think of TCS are more reliable than OCS. A 20 gram letter going to the United States will run up a bill of just less than 2000 rupees ($24). Sending a 2 kilogram package to the United States will cost about 3700 rupees ($45) and will reach its destination in 3 to 5 business days. You must bring a copy of your passport or identity card for parcels or sealed envelopes. TCS agents will also search contents prior to making out an invoice.

I have used TCS successfully for both domestic and international mailing, although the high rates do not make me jump for joy!

Fed Ex

To be honest, I've never used FedEx to send outgoing mail from Pakistan. I have had several packages delivered to Pakistan via FedEx in a timely manner. Most locals and expatriates consider FedEx to be the most reliable, albeit the most expensive service available. If you really want to be sure your package will reach its destination, FedEx is the way to go. I have heard some colleagues complain that their international mail sent via TCS has been lost, and that they will now only use FedEx.

Prices were not readily findable on their website, but rates are likely to compare with those for shipping from the United States or any of their other branches worldwide. If sending a package, I'd recommend having a passport copy on you just in case.