I will be spending five weeks backpacking through Western Europe next fall and will be unable to lug many gifts around with me on my travels (limited carrying space). Has anyone mailed gifts back to the US? Is it costly? Any suggestions? I am a rookie. Thank you!

Hi Beth<BR>I think Rick Steve's suggests that you mail all your gifts back whenever you have enough to fill a shoe box. You can send them to your home address and then distribute them when you get there.<BR>The Custom's people tell you that <BR>"Packages should be marked "Unsolicited Gift", with the name of the donor, nature of the gift, and fair retail value of the package clearly written on the outside wrapper". If the value is less than $100 no duty is due. <BR>There is a limit of $100 per day per address.<BR>Least expensive way to ship is by surface mail (boat). It will take about 6 weeks, but you will have a lot of fun opening your presents.<BR><BR>Have fun.

I think it is also worth noting that packages to/from some countries don't always get to their addressed destination intact, if at all. For that reason, unless the contents were of trivial value, such as perhaps magazines, cards, cheap gifts, be sent insured. This advice from personal experience.

I shipped home my own clothing (for cooler weather once I reached a warmer climate) from Switzerland this psat summer. I purchased a yellow ready-to-use box at the post office. It was not cheap ($25US) but very convenient.<BR>

You can order a free brochure, "International Mail Imports" from www.customs.gov. which explains in detail how to label packages, duty, etc. Also, I believe that many shops will take care of shipping for you, although probably not cheaply.

You will probably want to print out detailed lists of where to find the countless locations of Mailboxes Etc. www.mbe.com - - very praiseworthy in the experience of many.<BR><BR>Think very judiciously about what items you are choosing to purchase with the plan to ship. Can quickly add 100% to the cost of the item.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>