The b/f and I are planning a backpacking trip to France, Italy, Spain, and England next year and were wondering if anyone knows how much it would be a send a small parcel from each of these countries. We'd like to pick up some treasures but do not want the hassle of schlepping it around with us the whole trip. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

It will cost different amounts from each country -- and I'll have to check current postal rates (you can do the same BTW - google is your friend).

But one thing to consider -- many merchants will ship things for you. They will take the VAT off the top and often that will pay for much of the shipping/insurance costs.

Usually makes it easier than looking for packing materials, wrapping and mailing packages in multiple cities. Even if it costs a little extra - often the convenience is worth it.

From France, I think it might be about 35 euro. They have some prepaid boxes in the post offices called Collissimo where everything you can fit in the box ships for about that rate, as I recall (they have some bigger ones, also). The box isn't that big, either, maybe the size of 2 shoe boxes. I did that once and it took a long time to get home (and was kind of beat up in the process, but I didn't have anything breakable in it), but it worked ok. go to www.collissimo.fr to check the tarifs for international rates (US is zone C).

It seems to say 1 kg is only 23 euro (but that is only a couple pounds), but those may not be the prepaid boxes which only come in a couple sizes.

sorry this is the correct link
http://www.colissimo.fr/particuliers...nce_coulok.pdf

I've done the collisimo shipping in France...actually shipped dirty clothes to make room in my luggage for more valuable purchases. Worked fine, delivered in a couple of weeks.

I shipped two boxes from Spain, both came in less than 10 days. I believe I paid 30 euros for 4 kgs in prepaid green boxes.

I too have shipped the collisimo boxes from France back here to Oregon. So far I have done this 5 times and 4 of the times it took 7 days, and the other time it took 10 days. So not a bad record, lol!

Thnx everyone. I was trying to figure out if it was cost efficient to do so. I did check google but all that turned up was ups (very expensive btw) was expecting $60-$80 USD but was only getting $100+. Colissimo sounds much more affordable.

KayDoll,

This is my recent experience:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rom-france.cfm

To me sending packages from France to the US is the the most convenient.

I usually ship things from merchants. In most cases, the VAT is taken off, and I have found that the savings is usually enough to cover the postage. Plus, it saves so much time either filling out forms to recover VAT, or schlepping to the post office.

even if they are only little trinkets? I wasn't planning on buying anything major but a few things here and there eventually add up.

KayDoll--The first time I did this, I hauled the stuff to the post office and packed the box there and sent it off. After that I learned to buy the boxes, which they are flat when you get them, and they give you the paper to fill out. Then you can take those back to your hotel or apartment and put the box together (self adhesive, so you don't need to bring tape or anything), fill out the form and take it back and just drop it off. Much easier that way! I have had to pack the boxes a few more times at the post office due to our itinerary, but if you can do it elsewhere you wont feel as frantic.

Well, small nonbreakables can go in jiffy/padded bags which in France can be found at post offices, large groceries, etc. Not sure

To finish, Not sure of weight limit after which you need a Customs form, maybe 250 g? La Poste has an English web site.

Prepaid boxes are the way to go. Even though they have an official maximum weight, nobody really weighs them. The most important thing is that they not bulge too much from being overloaded.

There are even cheaper rates for printed matter and books, but they will really take the slow boat -- usually not a problem. The package arrives just when you have forgotten that it ever existed, so it is a real treat.

I am glad pooky had good luck with the Spanish post. It is notriously poor.

thanks so much for answering my questions! hehe now i can tell my b/f to relax as he won't have to be carrying all of the things i'll be picking up along the way! =P