goddesstogo

Since we're going to be in London for an extended period, I don't think a suitcase each, even with the addition of a carry-on each, is going to be enough especially since we'll need some winter clothes.

What are your suggestions for the best way to send stuff ahead (Toronto to London)? I've never done this before so I have lots of questions. Do we get boxes from the shipping company? I assume we drop them off somewhere at this end but do they get delivered at the other end or do we pick them up? Is it outrageously expensive? Does it take a long time (ie how much in advance should I do it)? And finally (unless you think I've forgotten to ask something), any recommendations for a shipping company?

Thanks in advance for your help.

sassy_cat

Hi gtg,
We moved in the opposite direction (London to Massachusetts) and the company paid so I can't help with rates but we used an air freight company.
(We also shipped a container with furniture)

The air freight company provided the boxes and they packed for us. We were allowed up to 300 pounds so I kept adding stuff to the pile until we'd reached our maximum. The stuff arrived within 10 days (delivered) but the container took 6 weeks so air freight was for 'essentials' like clothing, kitchen equipment, etc. I also included my photo albums.

The air freight company dealt with all the paperwork for customs etc. It was easy and worked well for us but might have cost a fortune!! Try googling air freight. Good luck with your move.

goddesstogo

Thanks, sass. I'll definitely google air freight and I'm glad I'm getting an early start on shopping around.

J62

How much stuff are you talking about? If you're just looking at a box or two, you can go to your local UPS or FedEx retail office and look into various options. They will have everything you need, boxes & packing materials. Ground shipment will be cheapest, next day air the most expensive.

tod

Have you thought of doing this just oneway? Buy what you need when there and if its good enough to keep - ship it home.
Take crappy stuff to start off with and buy when there.
Ditch the crap and go home with lots of new stuff!

Cathinjoetown

If you find a reasonable way to ship one or two extra boxes or cases, please post your "find" on here. I can't buy clothes to fit in France (wonder why?) and would like to do online shopping care of my sister, then have her re-pack and send over.

You may find that a combination of Tod's suggestion and paying the extra charge to check a second piece of luggage on your flight is the best way to go.

BTW, there's no charge that I know of on to carry your winter coat on board--even if it may look a bit odd in August.

Have a wonderful time on your extended trip.

Cathinjoetown

"that I know of to carry.."

goddesstogo

The stuff we're going to ship is the bulkier stuff that takes up a lot of room in a suitcase -- sweaters, shoes/boots, heavier jacket (I'll be wearing the 'good' coat), a sportsjacket or two for my SO. I'm not much of a shopper and I don't really want to spend any time in London doing that though, of course, if I find I absolutely need something, I'll go out and get it. Plus, it's too expensive to shop there. If you love shopping, that would certainly be the way to go but it's not for me.

Yes, it would be just a box or two so I'm going to check with UPS and Fedex, thanks.

Dayenu

Will somebody keep the boxes for you in London and will they charge you for that? Just a thought...

goddesstogo

Do you mean so we can ship stuff back? We'll be staying in an apartment. I'm hoping we can fold the boxes flat and stick them under the bed or something but it's a good thought, Dayenu. I hadn't even thought about shipping back and I would have forgotten to ask about that, so thanks.

kayd

The advantage of taking extra suitcases even with the airline's fee is that the stuff arrives at the same time you do (or the next day if something goes amiss). If you ship separately, you might have to wait for the packages, or if you send them well in advance, arrange for someone to accept and hold them until you arrive. Just a thought, as you compare costs.

sassy_cat

I, too think the extra suitcase route might work for you. I don't know the cost of shipping from Canada but it's expensive from the US to the UK. Another option...Will you return to visit family back in Canada or have visitors from home during your time in London? Maybe someone else can bring your extra case at a later date.

Ha, I wouldn't shop in London either.

Dayenu

No, I meant, are you sending them in advance of your trip? Or to yourself, let's say you are there from June 1, you ship them to arrive on June 5 so you will receive them in London?

Or you ship them to arrive on May 25 to make sure they'd arrive, who will hold them for you till June 1?

HuisClos

I've sent things both ways in steamer trunks -- protected my clothes much better, I think, than a cardboard box, but had no problems with those either. It also doubled to stow things in my apartment. It is the cheapest shipping by ship -- that takes anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to arrive, but the cost is almost nothing, and the package is delivered to your door.

goddesstogo

Oh, well, that was one of my questions, Dayenu. How long will Fedex or UPS or whomever hold on to them for me? I have no one there to get them for me.

I hadn't thought about extra suitcases. Maybe that will work. Will have to borrow extra suitcases though.

I certainly could send things by ship since there's plenty of time but I'd have to make sure our rentor was there to receive it and that seems like a bit of an imposition.

Hmmm...thinking about extra suitcases now.

sassy_cat

gtg check the cost of extra suitcases with the airline and compare to shipping costs. If you do decide to ship then pack the stuff but don't send it until a day or two before you leave... then no way will they arrive before you do.

kappa1

Let's say if you leave this summer then your winter clothes can arrive their well after yourself, months later?

> It is the cheapest shipping by ship -- that takes anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to arrive, but the cost is almost nothing...

I wonder what is "almost nothing" but suppose cheaper than an extra suite case when you fly.

goddesstogo

I think the extra suitcases may be the way to go but I will check shipping costs. If we do ship, I'll try to time it so that we get our boxes within a week or so after arriving. Of course, then I have to count the cost of cab fare to bring the boxes back to the apartment and I have no idea where the fedex place would be in relation to that.

Still, this has gotten me thinking about lots of options, so thanks for that, friendly posters!

J62

For the quantity you are talking about I would use extra suitcases and just pay the airline the extra bag fee. I find that large nylon/canvas duffel bags are a great thing to use. They can also squish into a taxi (or on your lap), whereas an extra rigid suitcase might not fit as well, and once empty you can stash them inside your suitcase in a closet.

Walmart carries them, as do camping and sporting goods stores.

goddesstogo

Now I'm sorry I gave away my extra old suitcases!