alybain

Hi all,

We are moving to Ohio in the summer, and have a few questions about shipping.
We are not planning on shipping much, husband has alot of books for his job, clothes, office bits and pieces, and some personal bits and pieces, certainly not whole house stuff or furniture.

Is it best to look at a removal company, or UPS or just pay excess on a few extra suitcases (apart from the books)

has anyone had good/bad experience with companies, or have any recommendations?

DexterBerkeley

This may not be a good solution depending on how much time you have, stuff etc. But you could consider arriving by boat. We took the QM2 from Southampton to New York and brought 9 suit cases with us. We had a basic cabin so it was similar cost to a flight and you can bring as much luggage as you can fit in your room at no charge. There was room for 12 comfortably, 4 will go under each bed and then there is additional space in the room.

It takes 7 days but it was nice to have a forced break in the middle of the relocation, which is basically just a holiday. You would have a fair drive at the end of this though.

alybain

wahhh thats a really novel idea!! had not considered that, could be an option, will look into it, thank you

Speedwell

As a compromise, it would take a lot less money and time to ship the baggage from New York upon arrival than to ship it from Southampton. Then the OP and her husband could fly in from New York themselves.

DexterBerkeley

Indeed. Also, should you choose to drive from New York then make sure your hire car is big enough. We got very lucky and could just about fit our baggage into the Corolla my company rented for us, any more bags and a min van type solution would have been better.

Pulaski

I'd say for ease and cost that shipping is likely preferred over taking excess baggage. Companies that do international "removals" also ship much smaller quantities, down to just a few boxes. We used Allfreight which is based in Hampshire, and although our things took up 90% of a 20ft container, the container was shared with 5 or 6 others who had small shipments.

If it helps you weigh the decision, in recent years there has been a growing number of businesses that ship luggage for travellers/ visitors because the cost of excess baggage is so absurd. The next time my wife, family, and I visit the UK, we are planning to ship our luggage and fly with only carry-on bags lightly packed.

GinaCovey

I use a forwarding company. You still have the warranty issues. You need to check the shipping cost before you buy but if you make all of your US purchases at once and ship them together it is much cheaper. The company I have been using is called www.parcelbound.com

AdobePinon

If you're moving for a job, you could try and get the new employer to pay for shipping.

Ozzidoc

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Shipping_Via_Airfreight

CAdreaming

I brought 2 extra cases excess baggage when i moved over- cant quite remember but think it was £80 for the first case and £100 for the second - i didnt have a great deal tho to bring over - personal stuff really and nothing breakable.
Ive been back to the UK a few times and paid for an extra case but may well use a shipping co to bring household things back in the future