Informational handbook

Baggage

Excess Baggage Allowance - An excess baggage allowance is included in the terms of each Fulbright award. This allowance is for the entire round trip. You may use it up completely for the trip to Korea or save it all for the return trip home or divide it as you wish.
The excess baggage allowance may be applied to either accompanying or unaccompanied baggage. You may apply it to the costs of mailing items via either the international postal system or APO (see below). In any case, you will not be entitled to more than the actual cost incurred, up to the limit, and payment will be made only upon presentation of valid receipts. Any additional baggage costs are at your own expense. Hence it is wise to make full use of the airline's free accompanied baggage.
Accompanying Baggage - If possible, you should bring all clothing and other personal effects along with you on your flight to Korea. Each economy passenger is entitled to check up to two pieces of baggage. Check with your airline before packing about the maximum weight and size allowed per bag. Each passenger is allowed to have one or two pieces (depending on the airline) of carry-on luggage, which should be small enough to fit under a passenger seat (usually 20” x 12” x 8”).
If you have more than the maximum weight allowance of personal stuff to bring, probably the best way is to bring it with you on the plane as excess baggage. Airlines have a standard excess baggage charge, whether the bag weighs 10 lbs. or 50 lbs., so 50 is better. Check with the airline what the excess baggage charge will be. $100 per bag is a common charge. Normally bringing stuff with you is cheaper per pound and much faster and safer than international mail.
Post Office - Another way to send personal effects and any clothing you will not need immediately is via international mail. Use the KAEC office address for your packages. For anything sent by surface mail, you must allow at least two months for delivery. Appropriate personal effects, particularly used ones, are free of duty. Do not send new items in their original packing as they will be subject to what may be substantial duty charges. Do not send personal items by APO (see below).
Unaccompanied Baggage - If you must have a lot of household goods with you in Korea you may need to send some things as unaccompanied baggage, via sea or air. Unaccompanied baggage that does not reach Korea soon after your arrival may be subject to duty. Due to the cost and the potential difficulties, we strongly recommend that you not send unaccompanied baggage unless you feel it is absolutely necessary. If you plan to do so, please contact our office in advance.


Educational Materials and APO - Most Fulbrighters need to send books and research notes to be used during their stay in Korea. By authorization of the U.S. State Department, Fulbright grantees coming to Korea are permitted to mail small quantities of educational materials through the U.S. military postal system known as the "APO." When you mail by APO, you are mailing us domestic mail, not international, and so it is much cheaper as well as more secure.
IMPORTANT: The U.S. Department of State sets limits on the quantity, weight, and content of educational materials sent via APO. Fulbright lecturers, researchers, and students are authorized to send a single shipment (all mailed at the same time) of not more than four boxes of educational materials (books and notes), none of which can weigh more than 40 pounds.

For mailing authorized educational materials use the following APO address:

Cultural Affairs Officer

Public Affairs Section

American Embassy
Unit # 15550
APO AP 96205-0001

As the above address indicates, the packages must be addressed to the Cultural Affairs Officer. Do not address the packages to yourself. Your own name must be on each package as the sender (no matter who does the actual mailing for you) and only as the sender. On the lower left-hand corner you should write your name and “Fulbright Scholar Educational Materials.” As a backup means of identification, you should enclose a slip of paper with your name and home address and the words "Fulbright Grantee to Korea" inside each package. Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays and additional costs as the packages may be returned to the sender.

Provided you mail a month or two in advance of your projected arrival date, your packages should be available soon after upon your arrival in Korea. Books and printed matter sent via Special Fourth Class (book rate) usually are delivered within a month (though sometimes it takes up to two months). Books in particular are much cheaper via APO (i.e. US domestic) book rate than any other method of getting them to Korea. Items sent via First Class or Priority Mail should arrive in 7-10 days. Early mailing will allow you to stretch your allowances by taking full advantage of the lower postal rates. Don't forget to insure all packages adequately.

NOTE: Fulbrighters are not authorized to use the APO system except for these one-time shipments of EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ONLY just prior to departure for Korea. Do not give the APO address to colleagues, family or friends for routine use. Also, remember that all personal effects such as clothing, household items, camera and computer equipment, etc. must be brought with you or sent via international mail. Educational materials include books and notes only, and do not include computers or other electronic equipment. No exceptions are allowed. Personal items, excess packages, and items arriving at a time other than the beginning of your grant period are routinely sent back to the sender by the Embassy mailroom. Furthermore, the use of APO for return shipments to the U.S. at the end of your grant period is specifically forbidden by State Department regulations. Use of the APO is a very special consideration we are given and misuse of the privilege could result in its being revoked for all Fulbright grantees.