Along the lines of what crefloors posted, as long as you're careful about 'liquids' (this doesn't work for wine obviously) max out your carry-on coming home with your souvenir purchases. Buy a fun duffle or tote bag and use that.

Also shipping a box of clothes home from the local post office can work (I've done it a few times to lighten the load mid-trip in Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva).

For bringing back wine, I recommend a styrofoam wine shipper. Something like this:
http://www.uline.com/BL_5450/Styrofoam-Wine-Shippers

I bought my 6-bottle container in the post office in Adelaide, Australia, more than 20 years ago, and it's still keeping me company on my trips. I've also transported jars in it. The space doesn't go wasted.

Yes on the pimenton de la Vera! Great gift item for friends who cook.

Ditto pimiento de Espelette (peppers) in all forms, including pepper paste, in powder form, on and on. Very pricey and hard to find in the US. A luxury item here in the US. Fabulous on eggs.

What airport are you entering once back in the US?

Great ideas! Yes, I have been planning to carry on all my foodie treasures and only check the wine/olive oil/true liquids. I even bought a handy dandy suitcase scale so I can load it up to the weight limit. Pimenton - definitely, all forms.

I'll be coming through customs at Seatac, ekscrunchy.

Thanks, Idrian0. I didn't know that kind of thing even existed. That could come in very handy!!

Why is it cheaper than "getting it all on the plane"? That costs nothing.

StCirq, I assumed that Idrian0 meant cheaper than paying for an extra bag, which has become stupidly expensive now.

I know the costs vary but a second checked bag I believe is usually $25-$50 for around 20 kilos or 44ib. Based on the costs and hassles of shipping, I probably would choose an extra bag.

The things I buy now I can usually tuck in the corners of a checked bag. I've also packed a flat bag inside my checked bag then used it for dirty clothes and shoes, freeing up the better bag for purchases. Haven't done this in awhile so don't know if you still can but I have shipped a box as a second piece of checked luggage.

As a comparison, La Poste provides sturdy boxes of various sizes, 15 pounds is around 45€. Those figures might not be 100% accurate as they're from memory, La Poste website is not cooperating.

Personal preferences of course but for me checking a second bag has proven thr cheapest and most time-saving method.

Depends on the airline, but I agree, a second checked bag would usually be cheaper than shipping. United only charges $35, unless it's over 50 lbs.

I have sent things by La Poste to the US and it was really expensive, as you note.

I'm flying United this fall to Paris and the charge to check a second bag (economy) is $100 for a bag weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
I'd probably pay the $100 to check a second bag if I did a lot of shopping and needed to get my loot back home.

Delta charged me $100 for a second bag the last time I came back from France. And because I made a mistake in ticketing (never never again) I had to pay it for both legs of the return.

I should have put all my clothes in a box and shipped them the slowest boat back but I wasn't thinking straight at the time. So, yes, I am a little sensitive to the idea. But also, I have an interest in handpainted tiles and things that are too heavy to consider getting back on a plane. I assumed I could never do anything that, until the mention of this alternate shipping option. I don't actually think I will need it on this trip, but I found it an interesting alternative to file away for future.

At $100 for a second bag, I agree shipping begins to look interesting.

I've never declared "foodstuffs" when returning to the US from Europe. Unless you are carrying enough cheese, chocolate, caviar etc to feed an invading army - or plan to re-sell it - nobody at Customs is interested.

You can get folding cardboard six-pack carriers to bring back wine. Probably more practical than styrofoam.

Here's a fun list, not all of them packable. Love the sardine tins.

http://chocolateandzucchini.com/pari...g-back-france/