The world is becoming smaller while ways for you to automate your everyday life are growing every day. Think: shipping your Taylor Swift merch to your new house house abroad right before the Eras tour within a week. There's a catch: Our personal belongings often become extended parts of ourselves, meaning if you are ever to move abroad, carrying all your stuff on a single aeroplane ride is a hassle and a half. In addition, shipping luggage can be expensive. What’s the point of spending twice as much money? That’s where the knowledge of the cheapest way to ship luggage internationally comes in. So let us tell you the cheapest ways to ship luggage internationally.
Cheapest ways to ship luggage internationally and its costs
1. Air Freight
Average cost to ship luggage internationally = $2 - $6 per kilogram
Companies that support shipping luggage internationally: DHL, FedEx, UPS, USPS (United States Postal Service), Luggage Forward, Send My Bag
There is good news, and then there is bad news. Good: you get your luggage quickly. Con: You need to sort out customs as well as hire an air freight company or hire a customs agent who will do it for you. What outweighs the other? Now, if the company of your choice does not offer the service in the first place, the whole burden of transporting your luggage to and fro the airport lies on you.
If you ship large bags, you must do it by hand, which can sometimes be very slow and expensive. So even though this option makes it to our list of cheapest ways to ship luggage internationally, it is not the cheapest way to ship internationally. Let us tell you a few more options that you can consider. This may cost more than other shipping methods. However, it's still the cheapest way to ship luggage internationally since air freight generally takes less time than ground transportation options. If you are someone shipping luggage internationally, obviously there will be a knowledge gap that needs to be bridged. Therefore, here are some tips and tricks to use while shipping luggage internationally.
2. Courier Services
Average cost to courier luggage internationally = $30 - $50 per kilogram
Companies that support courier luggage internationally: FedEx, Eurosender, TNT Express, Aramex, USPS (United States Postal Service), ParcelForce (for UK-based couriering), Purolator, TOLL Group, Japan Post
The cheapest way to ship internationally is through a courier service such as the classics like UPS or FedEx. It is one of the best and cheapest ways to ship luggage internationally. The courier service should deliver the merchandise or products promptly and safely. The courier service assesses fees based on the following:
- Volume
- Weight
- Size
When selecting a courier service, dependability is crucial. The delivery should occur on time, regardless of distance. The international courier service should guarantee on-time and accurate delivery. Even though it is one of the cheapest way to ship luggage internationally, it is highly reliable. The worldwide courier firm uses cutting-edge technologies, such as online tracking, to give its customers information on the shipment, package transportation, and delivery. The customer can use this system to monitor the order's progress and learn the expected time and day of delivery.
Door-to-door delivery is a feature of international courier services. The package will be brought to your door or taken there for delivery. Customers' lives are now more convenient and comfortable thanks to the advancement. You can get the product using this service without going to the courier's office.
The drawback of checking bags is that
- You must go through customs once you reach your final destination. Waiting for your luggage to arrive at the baggage belt before continuing to the customs processing process may take some time.
- If you have connecting flights and have to have your bags checked in every nation on your schedule, the process can get rather onerous.
By choosing to deliver your luggage abroad, you can avoid potential delays at the customs clearance station. You will simply need to show your ticket and passport, in this case, once you pass through the checkout area.
Your eagerly anticipated stay abroad will get off to a trouble-free start. Courier Services are the cheapest way to ship your luggage internationally and are also convenient.
3. Sea Freight or Container shipping
Average cost to ship luggage internationally: $5 - $10 per kilogram
Companies that support shipping luggage internationally: Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), CMA CGM Group, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen Line
Water transportation has much reduced maintenance costs compared to air and rail transportation. This is another important factor in the low cost of shipping goods by ship, and therefore, it is added to our list of cheapest way to ship internationally.
Benefits of sea freight shipping
- The ability of shipping companies to convey big, heavy, or bulky goods, commonly known as break bulk or Not in Trailer (NIT) loads. The cargo may include large vehicles, machinery, building supplies, and other products.
- Little trouble transporting massive cargo, which is frequently too large or big for air freight or even over-the-road transit.
- Ships are designed to transport hazardous goods, and risky cargo securely is another benefit of ocean freight transit.
The industry is experienced in managing such goods, and regulations have been implemented to protect the well-being of the environment, crew, and cargo. As maritime security increases, cargo damage caused by disasters at sea is steadily declining and has fallen significantly over the past ten years. Containers are made to be sealed and locked during travel for extra security. The fact that ships are designed to transport hazardous goods and risky cargo securely is another benefit of ocean freight transit.
Pros and Cons of Shipping Luggage Internationally
You should ship some of your baggage ahead if you travel overseas, move abroad, or travel with sports equipment. It is great to research the cheapest ways to ship your luggage internationally. Shipping luggage internationally has pros and cons, so make sure you know them before you do it.
The pros are as follows:
- Checking in baggage is faster and cheaper than paying additional fees for excess or oversized luggage.
- You can save money on transportation by sending large bags ahead of time.
- You can transfer more oversized bags and equipment like sports or musical instruments.
- No hassle or expense for transportation. They’ll pick up your luggage and deliver it to your door.
Cons are as follows:
- International shipping can be time-consuming, of course, and also dangerous if it is transported through another country, so be careful.
- You are susceptible to paying extra if your luggage doesn’t end up meeting the sizing requirements.
However, this is amongst the cheapest way to ship luggage internationally, making the entire process a breeze. From courier to mail service, these methods can be a lot cheaper than hiring a company to move your luggage, and we are here to tell you the cheapest way to ship luggage internationally!
Tips to Ship Your Luggage Internationally
Now that you know the pros and cons, here are some important tips for you to keep in mind when it comes to international shipping.
- Definitely pack your suitcase in a sturdy box. It is tempting not to use one, but trust us, it is safer to store it that way.
- Select a courier that knows how to handle personal belongings during shipping.
- Find a courier service that offers full online tracking so you can monitor your shipment.
- Compare different rates from various couriers to save time using our shipping calculator.
- Ensure there's someone at the destination to receive your luggage and take care of any customs procedures.
- Check out your do’s and don’ts for shipping luggage internationally.
Another of the cheapest way to ship luggage internationally is by using an online shipping service such as Sherpr or Lugless. Finally, USPS offers flat-rate boxes, which make it easy and affordable to send items overseas; this is among the best and most economical cheapest way to ship luggage internationally.