AloneinOregon

Hi All,

Well that time of year again, And last Christmas it cost me nearly 300$ to ship 3 medium size boxes (no more than 15lbs each) back to the UK using FedEx.

Most of my family back in the UK like American Sports/Toys/Games etc and know things are pretty much cheaper here but of course dont know how much it costs to send it back!. (even though i tell them!)

Anyway i would like to send stuff back this year but wondered if anyone knew of a cheaper method?. I looked at the US postal service but that also seems very expensive when you choose registered mail (which of course i need).

Anyone one have any suggestions, What are other people doing about sending presents back to family at home?

Cheers,

lisag8070

trust me when I say we've all tried to work this one out and USPS is the cheapest (without registered mail) I think they call it first class international now..

unfortunately its not cheap no matter which way you look at it...

scrubbedexpat099

Buy them on line in the UK.

TruBrit

best to buy online from the likes of M&S, Harrods, Fortnum and Masons etc. I've used all three over the last few yrs and they are great and deliver on time....no worries.

Bob

to late now, but the slow boat shipping via postal service is the cheapest option....perhaps try UPS or DHL?

TruBrit

think the slow boat option is no more.

Bob

Weird, can send to the US via ship still, just called economy shipping I think....I had the option to ship to the UK last time I sent something but then I guess that was a while back now.

TruBrit

ok, it may still be an option but i thought i read on BE that it had been stopped but then what does anyone on BE know

lisag8070

sorry nope...its not an option anymore...the cheapest way is called first class international (was airmail) takes 7-10 days.

oh and this is only for packages that are under 4 lbs in weight, anything above that has to go by international priority mail, which is 3 times more expensive...

Jaxbar

Yesterday I mailed my 6 pound package to UK, the woman in the post office wrapped it for me and gave me free boxes (said they had been in the back for awhile) she cut and taped them to make my oversize package fit. She admitted she didnt always offer to wrap packages but saw it as a challenge. It went priority mail and cost 42 dollars,

There is no longer a boat. this is second time in a week i have had brilliant service from the post office.

NC Penguin

Now that seamail overseas has been abolished it's pretty much airmail or using couriers like FedEx, UPS and similar.

However, USPS does offer fixed price Priority Airmail boxes which you can pick up at post offices and stuff. One such box costs $37.00 which has a weight limit of 20lbs. I packed a bunch of stuff in this box and mailed it on November 19th to the UK. As of November 28th, the box hasn't arrived so I'm not that impressed with the Priority service.

Bob

It's weird how service differs....up in maine where we use to live the bloke at the posty office was top notch nice fella and helped out with loads of stuff....around here, there's one friendly old bird, the rest are a miserable dour bunch of sods that aren't in the least bit helpful

Jan Alaska

I usually use USPS for my Christmas packages, however they can be slow .. very slow. Not sure if thats this end or the UK though.
This year gifts are being hand delivered. My son is getting married on the 7th so I'm flying to Ireland for the weekend and will do a present swap then.

Jan

Mandana

Someone kindly sent me this link http://www.smartgiftsolutions.co.uk/shopentrance.htm which might be of some help to someone on here??

NC Penguin

Have a safe trip. Will you be spending Christmas in the UK too?