How To Reduce Luggage Shipping Costs?

Moving away from home for higher studies is the first step in diving into a more adventurous and fulfilling life. Moving away will not just give your career a kickstart but also help you grow as an individual since you will be exposed to many different and new experiences. However, the initial struggle with shifting and setting up can get really overwhelming if you do it for the first time. 

To make the move easier, many students opt for shipping their luggage. But, if not done with proper planning, luggage shipping can be a very expensive affair. There are, however, some hacks and tips that can be used to reduce luggage shipping costs.

Here’s our list of hacks that will help you cut luggage shipping costs and save significant money. Read along! 

Make your packing checklist 

The step towards reducing luggage shipping costs is to make your packing checklist and choose the essentials that must be packed. If you are moving away from home for higher studies for the first time, you may pack everything you own. You may feel like every single item is essential and need it at any moment to make yourself feel at home. This mindset can lead to overpacking and thus cost a lot of money while shipping, especially if it’s shipped internationally. To avoid this, plan out how much stuff you need, how much can be bought there and how much you must pack. Add only essentials to your packing list and stick to it. Remind yourself that you can always buy most of the essentials later if you need them. 

As a student, you can also opt for a curated student essentials kit for your kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom essentials. This can help you eradicate the need to pack these essentials and significantly reduce luggage shipping costs. 

Leave the big things behind 

One of the biggest reasons your luggage shipping costs can get really high is shipping items that are massive and weigh a lot. These items can include furniture like a bed, table, chairs, etc., gaming consoles, computer setups, and other instruments related to hobbies like sports and music. If you want to reduce your shipping costs, avoid shipping as many of these things as possible. You can easily exclude all of your furniture by finding yourself student accommodation that are already furnished. Ship your sports or musical instruments, gaming consoles and compute setups only if you are moving away for an extended period and need them. 

Make use of free packaging material 

The cost of packing material definitely adds up to your luggage shipping costs. However, many shipping companies provide their customers with free, good-quality packaging material. Find out if your shipping company is offering anything of that sort. If so, make use of it and pack your things with the material they offer free of charge and save some money on your shipping. Learn to ship luggage internationally at low cost.

Choose the right size boxes 

Think only the weight of your luggage will affect the luggage shipping costs? Many shipping companies also calculate your costs based on your package’s dimensional or DIM weight. So, even if you haven’t packed much and kept the box light enough, the shipping company will still charge you the same amount based on your box size. This is done because a big box will take more space than a smaller one, even if the weight of the box is appropriate. So, to make sure your DIM weight is low, and your shipping charges are reduced, ensure that you use the right size boxes to pack your things. Pack nice and tight to utilise the space in the box. 

Use lighter packaging material 

Your total luggage weight also includes the weight of your packaging supplies. Thus, if your material is inherently heavy, your luggage will weigh heavier, and thus your luggage shipping costs will be higher. To eradicate this possibility while shipping, make sure to use sturdy but lightweight material. You can use corrugated cardboard boxes rather than heavy ones to make your package lighter. Similarly, use lighter packaging material inside to secure your stuff. The supplies can include bubble wraps, air pillows or even lightweight foam. 

Negotiate with different shipping companies 

If you are looking for a reliable shipping company to ship your luggage abroad, be assured many options are available in the market. So, take advantage of the options and put some time and energy into finding the right company. Browse through your option and talk to each of them separately to understand each company's luggage shipping costs. This information will let you compare the prices and choose the cheapest one. While understanding the charges for each company, try negotiating with each company. The individual negotiation will again give you an upper hand, as you can choose your best option. 

Know your insurance policy 

As per international guidelines, it is normal for your luggage shipping company to provide insurance in case your stuff is damaged or lost. However, what you have to do here is to make sure that the amount the insurance is covering is enough. Calculate the value of your goods and see if the insurance money indeed covers them. If not, you can purchase additional insurance for your luggage. For example, Sherpr is a shipping company that lets you buy additional insurance if you feel their coverage is insufficient. You can also opt for third-party insurance companies if the coverage is insufficient. 

Check for student discounts 

It may sound too good to be true, but many shipping companies offer special student discounts for students shipping their stuff domestically or internationally. You can check out the best student services that offer discounts on luggage shipping costs. Companies like EuroSender, Mybaggage and Lugless are known for offering their customers 5-10% of student discounts that can be availed by showing a student ID or even a university acceptance letter. However, the shipping companies don’t avidly advertise these discounts. So, while dealing with these companies, it is your responsibility to remember and ask about such discounts. If you are a student, do not hesitate to ask for student discounts since you can use such deals to reduce luggage shipping costs.

Pack your stuff appropriately

Ultimately, any damage, loss, or returns adds up to your luggage shipping costs. So, make sure you pack your stuff well and in a way that it reaches your desired destination in intact condition. Go through all the dos and don’ts of luggage shipping and ensure you follow the rules and regulations provided by your company for a smoother shipping experience. Label your luggage properly, so nothing is lost or returned to you. 

Moving away and starting anew as a student can be difficult. But having the things you use daily at home with you can make you feel home away from home. However, these hacks can come in handy to ensure that you don’t have to pay high luggage shipping costs while trying to ship your luggage! Make sure you check our detailed blog on tips and tricks to ship luggage internationally.