Shipping Spouse application package

Is it ok to ship completed package by FedEx and just buy return UPS shipping via VFS Global or does Sheffield processing center only accept incoming packages via UPS too?

I shipped via FedEx and did the return from the VFS Global site.  It was fine.  I didn't have a UPS dropoff center as close as a FedEx one.  They just won't return your application via FedEx.  (Unfortunately, I think!)

Yeah, it should be okay to ship it TO Sheffield by FedEx (or DHL)... they just won't return it that way - they'll only return by UPS or DHL.

They used to accept returns through FedEx, back when Sheffield first started processing settlement visas, but then they had some issues with return shipping from FedEx so they had to stop using them.


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It's just more expensive to buy two one-way courier trips. Sigh!

Well first lesson learned today is don't rely on FedEx anyway!

We shipped daughter in laws passport Monday from Uk to USA for delivery next day which FedEx said was perfectly OK because she has her fingerprint appointment on Monday and soda law that today it's still sitting at stansted airport undergoing clearance procedure. We are totally screwed. Can we change the fingerprint appointment any way to buy us some
More time?

That kind of thing is not limited to FedEx, unfortunately.  On my passport's return via UPS with the VFS global service, it was supposed to arrive Friday and instead spent all of Friday and Saturday sitting waiting to be cleared by customs in Germany, of all places.  Originally they said it was a mechanical failure but when I called to be like, is that the ONLY plane you have? they changed their story to 'it's sitting at customs'.  It sucks but it happens with all of the services--better them than the regular post at least.

seriously....I am beyond p!ssed right now.....

Yes, reschedule the biometrics appointment.

This is why we tell everyone to not submit the application until EVERY SINGLE document is in the applicants hands.  It can happen with any carrier (though less likely with FedEx, UPS, and DHL).

Can we reschedule by going to the application online and "update appointment" or do we "cancel appointment" and make a different one? Don't want to do anything that has a devastating effect on the actual application!!

My preliminary price shopping has resulted in this:

UPS will charge around $140 for one-way shipping, and they guarantee by 9 AM on the third business day TO CUSTOMS (so it can take longer than that to get to final destination).

Fedex charges $108.6 for international first and guarantees 9 AM on the 2nd business day (but if you mail Thursday, it arrives on Monday). Again, this is guaranteed to get to CUSTOMS, not the final destination.

DHL charges $82.21 for 2nd business day by 9 AM. Same deal, only guaranteed to get to customs.

All options include $100 insurance.

I have not found any overnight shipping options, and 2nd day really doesn't mean 2nd day if customs holds up the package/envelope. I'm hesitant to go with the cheapest route, though, as this will mean months of waiting if they lose the package.

All international couriers have their own customs agents that their packages go through. I can't think of anyone who has had their package lost.

The only way you get much of a delay with international shipping is if you ship it with the USPS. Never ship anything important with them or with UK parcel force when it's international between the US and UK. They're so delayed!

Eh, we've seen some interesting things happen with packages over the years.  But none have ever been LOST LOST.  Just delayed.  I think one person took a couple of weeks to receive their passport back.  And Sheffield has totally written the wrong address on return packages before and passports have ended up in the wrong state.

But without question 99.999999% of the packages arrive just fine and in 2 days.  I do think it's impossible to find a guaranteed overnight internationally - short of hiring a courier and hand delivering it.