richbogle84

Hi All,

My wife and I are moving from UK to US at the very beginning of July. Due to the cost of checking additional baggage with the airline, we had planned to send two suitcases filled with our [used] clothes in advance, and my [used] snowboard -- three items in total.

We had planned to send these with FedEx through Parcel2go.com however when I spoke with a parcel2go representative I was told that they could not carry these outside of the EU

She explained that we may be able to use Fedex directly for this, but unfortunately we could send through Parcel2go as they do not hold a license to carry 'personal effects' through US customs. She said that if we attempt to send the items through Parcel2go and the order gets through without being cancelled, then there would be long delays trying to clear the items through customs, and they would attract large customs charges

Has anyone encountered this issue before? Surely it's not that uncommon for people to send used clothing and personal effects from UK to US. The reason I ask is that Parcel2go are providing good prices for FedEx services, and I really don't want to check these items with the airline.

If anyone has any experience or advice, that would be a huge help

Cheers,
Rich.

civilservant

To send personal effects, and I have done on a couple of occasions, I've used Fast Lane International. They use FedEx and a couple of others - never had any problems and all the items were correctly declared on the shipping documents.

richbogle84

Thanks CS,

Are these the folks you mean; http://www.wedelivertheworld.co.uk/quote/index.php

Many Thanks,
Rich.

civilservant

That's the one

King Gimp

I wouldn't touch parcel2go with a long bargepole.

They lost sooo much of my stuff over the years back in the UK and customer service was a joke.

Jerseygirl

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=629133

robUK81

http://www.transglobalexpress.co.uk/

A company I have used a couple of times to send to the U.S.

civilservant

And that's where I got the link

Bob

The snow board, considering it's a while till winter, considered shipping it surface mail with the regular post? Would be the cheapest, though 6-12 weeks.

richbogle84

Thanks Rob! I have been on the phone with these guys and they seem quite professional. Can I ask if you were sending personal effects/clothing, and did you encounter any issues with US customs?

Transglobal quoted me for their economy service (5days delivery) a total cost of £225 which includes collection from my home and delivery to the specified address in US. How does this compare to other's experiences?

Thanks Bob! that could definitely be an option worth considering. Any suggestions in terms of what company we could/should use if we decide to do this?

Cheers,
Rich.

civilservant

Well I sent a large box with FLI for £80, but it's more dependant on weight than anything else - and it was reasonably light.

robUK81

I sent personal items, framed pics and an antique.
There were no issues with customs at all. As long as your paperwork is in order there shouldn't be an issue.

Rob

agentred

At that price wouldn't it be cheaper just to check two suitcases? I know when I traveled and checked in an extra big suitcase it was less than £80 on British Airways IIRC, so if you and your wife each do that it could be easier and faster. Then send the snowboard via surface mail and it should still all end up cheaper.

civilservant

£59.50 for a second bag with Delta.

richbogle84

Hi CS,

Where did you get that number? The prices I'm seeing on Delta's site seem to be much higher...

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ip/excess.html

Bearing in mind that we'd be checking two additional suitcases, and a snowboard which is an 'oversized' luggage item, the costs of checking with Delta could be pretty huge. Unfortunately I'm struggling to get a straight answer from the airline, so I'm having my travel agent look into it to try and get a price from them.

Rich.