DVS

What would be the easiest and/or least expensive way to ship packages from London to Chicago, USA? Last trip, we posted two heavy packages of books and stuff at more than 110 GBP. They arrived home long before we did. I've done a search on this forum, but didn't find much on the topic. I've checked UPS, but find that two such packages would cost about GBP 300. There seems to be no option for surface slow shipping, which would be fine. Any ideas?

David

cls2paris

I've mailed packages to myself via regular mail. They took about 6 weeks to arrive (this was about 6 years ago) and the cost was around $20 if I recall. I purchased the box, etc. at the post office. Some stores will ship your package for you if you make a large enough purchase. I've had great luck with this. The cost is not very high and they do all the packaging. Hope that helps!

hopscotch

If you have books or printed matter there is a special cheap rate from most European countries to the USA. It's for packages up to 5kg, 11lb. The books go by boat. Most post offices have special boxes available for sale at a very reasonable price. Also, there is no US duty on books.

Postal clerks are not always up to speed on this. I once had a protracted encounter at a Paris post office trying to mail my boxes of books at the special rate. I hung in there and the clerk finally admitted I was right.

nytraveler

How heavy were the packages - if they were really big boxes that might not be a bad rate. Or, perhaps ship a bunch of small boxes book rate per the last poster.

flanneruk

The UK printed paper rate surface rate with Royal Mail (max 5kg) is about £4.10 per kg. Check rates at http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/c...mediaId=400393. Incidentally, staff at most post ofices are usually excellent at answering the question "what's the cheapest way of sending this to country x?"

The alternative for heavy stuff is probably a retail-oriented freight shipper like Excess Baggage (www.excess-baggage.com). The Lonely Planet site frequently has questions about baggage shippers, and a search there might throw up a few alternatives.

DVS

Thanks for the excellent ideas. I hope I can resist buying too many heavy books, especially old ones not available in the USA. And Cathedral CD's and tourist booklets and well, you know.

David