Aviator

Parcel force comes into Canada through Purolator, it travels on an aircraft as Cargo, the airline make money out of it so do parcel Force and still has to clear customs. It may be cheaper surface, but takes 6 - 8 weeks to arrive. As it is personal effects only the shipper can do the clearance, otherwise taxes will be charged and you'll have to go through the hassle of trying to reclaim them.

How much money is likley to be saved here anyway that is worth all the aggravation. As was said before, just take it excess and you may or may not have to pay the extra. All too often we try and save a few $$ that ends up costing $$$$ in money time and effort and possible inconvenience. I for one used to do it, not any more.

If the OP is coming for just a few weeks and then leaving, it could end up costing way more than excess. In addition, as the shipper and importer without an address here, that is going to complicate things a lot at the point of clearance and taxes will probably be charged and then have to be reclaimed when taking the goods back out of the country at the airport.

bzriddell

Sorry!! We sent 3 large boxes with Parcelforce, took only 6 days door to door

Aviator

Not by surface, or that would have been one super fast boat. That would have been by air, Parcel Force use both. Air cargo can be done same day, between Europe and North America, two to three days is the norm depending on the routing and the carrier. However surface (comes by boat and train) takes a lot longer, costs less but you have to wait for it, 6 to 8 weeks Europe to north America, can be a bit longer going the other way.

KS2008

Are you sure? I'm flying out of Manchester with Thomas Cook next month and when I emailed Canadian Affair to ask if laptops were included as part of the 5kg carry-on I was told that they were.

lindamcc

check out Air Transat web site as this is who you will be travelling with lots of good information regarding upgrades and prepaying for excess baggage

Aviator

Each carrier has their own policies regarding carry on. Extra pax weight means less cargo revenue space available, so airlines are cutting down on what can be carried, particularly the budget airlines. Passengers want cheaper fares and these cannot be achieved with the frills of the scheduled carriers or the liberal attitude to weight of the past. Ask your carrier, they are the only ones who can definitively give you their current restrictions. Usually this information is on their website.

Rob_999

A few tricks I've used to avoid excess baggage fees:

1) Place all small heavy items in your laptop bag (if it's over 5kg don't worry - they rarely weigh carry on unless it looks bulky)
2) Wear your winter jacket and stuff the pockets with small heavy items
3) When placing your case on the scales, make sure it's hanging over your side of the counter then stick your foot under it and prop it up
4) Be nice and friendly with the check in staff

deeb81

Thanks that sounds like good advice!

KS2008

Canadian Affairs uses both Air Transat and Thomas Cook Airways. Looking at their websites, Air Transat allows one piece of carry-on and a laptop, while Thomas Cook only allows one item.

Of course, to confuse matters further, I've just noticed that while my particular flight was supposed to be with Thomas Cook it isn't actually listed on their website, but Air Transat does have one listed on that date/time but they say that it is with TC. I suspect that I'm going to be stuck with the more restrictive TC rules, but I'm going to have to email them to check.

Miss Clinique

When we came out in May our bags were 8 & 9 k over. The lady just smiled sweetly stuck the lable's on and off they went. Not a penny extra was asked for.

We flew out of Birmingham

Fingers crossed you might have the same luck.

deeb81

I hope I'm that lucky!!

kate holt

That made me laugh! Will try next time!

Thomas cook but not air transit allow 20kg of "sporting equipment" could any of your packing be classed this way? I can honestly say ours has never been checked and have many times resorted to putting our dirty washing in with OH's fishing gear. We also once packed our sons skateboard in with the fishing gear - could be classed as sporting equipment could it???

Worth a try - but you need to book it with them.

Good luck

deeb81

Thanks for that!

I'm not taking any sporting equipment but I did notice on the website that as of the 21st May 2009, you can take a free ski/snowboard/boot bag weighing up to 10kg!!

I think I'll buy a ski boot bag and chance my arm - and hope it doesnt get checked!

Thanks for the tip!