Shipping from Paris -HELP
 

College daughter studying abroad has A LOT of stuff to ship home, as we are meeting her Fri to travel and refuse to take it with us throughout France. Any suggestions, PLEASE, as to cheapest method to get probably 2 large, heavy boxes or suitcases to USA?
THank you!

The prepaid boxes from the Post Office.

Do you know where you're staying before you leave for home? Can you mail the boxes there, and then take the items home with you on the plane? We've done this a number of times and it worked well (once shipping from France to London, and once shipping within Turkey). Paying for an extra bag + nearby shipping was much cheaper than shipping all the way home.

Depending on your airline and the fact that there will be at least 3 of you, you may not even have to pay for extra bags.

Second the prepaid boxes at the Post office....easy and relatively inexpensive.

The French Post Office sells prepaid boses called "Colissimo International". You can send up to 20 kg to the US for €152.30 (insurance included).

I just told the college daughter that Fodors people are the best! Thank you...

I've used those prepaid boxes but don't think they are that cheap, but don't know of a cheaper method. But I don't think they will work for things that are really heavy, they are too flimsy. All I packed in them was clothing, and the box was smashed when it arrived. It's just thin cardboard, but on the other hand, if it is books, they can't get damaged that well. You aren't allowed to send more than 20 kg that way, I believe, of course, you could fill out several boxes. It costs about 150 euro per 20 kg, which is not cheap to me.