Transport of Pottery from Greece
May 25th, 2006 | 12:59 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 60
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Transport of Pottery from Greece
I plan on buying a piece of the ancient replica pottery you find all over in Athens, especially in the Plaka. I wanted to buy an urn or bowl on my first trip to Greece but afraid of how to get it home. Any adivce on how to transport it home or should I pay the shipping. I am on a budget so wondering if they pack it well enough to check or if it could go as carry-on since I am not sure of sizes for carry-on. Flight will be from Ath to USA via Zurich.
May 25th, 2006 | 02:10 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
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First question:
Small enough to carryon? If yes then buy some bubble wrap, put in box and take as carry-on
If no, bubble wrap again and, if possible, put in middle of clothes in hard sided suitcase.
At enmd of last year I packed hard-sided suitcase with glass, china and pottery - all breakable - used a lot of bubble wrap (no clothes of filler, checked bag and everything arrived unbroken - trick it to make sure that it is firmly pakced in the suitcase. have allso carried the same in hand luggage.
sometimes they will pack well enough but you cannot rely on that
Small enough to carryon? If yes then buy some bubble wrap, put in box and take as carry-on
If no, bubble wrap again and, if possible, put in middle of clothes in hard sided suitcase.
At enmd of last year I packed hard-sided suitcase with glass, china and pottery - all breakable - used a lot of bubble wrap (no clothes of filler, checked bag and everything arrived unbroken - trick it to make sure that it is firmly pakced in the suitcase. have allso carried the same in hand luggage.
sometimes they will pack well enough but you cannot rely on that
May 25th, 2006 | 02:23 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,227
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Just be aware that many airlines have changed how much weight you can check. It used to be two bags of 70 pounds each and its now two bags at 50 pounds each. So you might find it cheaper to ship (by ship) and wait for its arrival.
May 30th, 2006 | 10:17 AM
#4
Joined: May 2006
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Another thing to keep in mind if you are flying from island to island on Aegean Air; the weight limit for coach passengers is ONE checked bag at 15kg and 6kg for one carry-on. Overweight baggage is charged at 2 euros per kg.
Sad, but true.....
Sad, but true.....
May 30th, 2006 | 08:31 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,962
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Agree with the options already given:
optimum: hand carry
less optimum: in hard sided suitcase
other option not mentioned: mail
If you have the room in your luggage, bring the bubble wrap w/you from the States...saves time looking for it on-site and guarantees the space for the return trip. Also, bring a roll of heavy tape (like strapping tape, not masking) If you end up packing the wrapped/boxed item in your luggage, secure it to the hardsided luggage in the middle with the tape before putting anything else it. Be sure to place another strip of tape accross each tape piece at right angle close to the object, thus forming a "T" at each secured point (this will prevent the tape from working loose at all). Then place soft items, like clothes, around it.
If you have to mail: You'll already have the tape. Pack the box within a bigger box snugly secured between soft, lightweight products. We've used styromfoam peanuts, scrunched up local newspapers, empty egg cartons (avail from grocer), EMPTY plastic water bottles, cleaned out juice cartons, anything filled with air space. These products bring back fond memories when you unpack, too! The key is to have the outer box snugly filled so the inner box can't move around at all.
Good luck!
optimum: hand carry
less optimum: in hard sided suitcase
other option not mentioned: mail
If you have the room in your luggage, bring the bubble wrap w/you from the States...saves time looking for it on-site and guarantees the space for the return trip. Also, bring a roll of heavy tape (like strapping tape, not masking) If you end up packing the wrapped/boxed item in your luggage, secure it to the hardsided luggage in the middle with the tape before putting anything else it. Be sure to place another strip of tape accross each tape piece at right angle close to the object, thus forming a "T" at each secured point (this will prevent the tape from working loose at all). Then place soft items, like clothes, around it.
If you have to mail: You'll already have the tape. Pack the box within a bigger box snugly secured between soft, lightweight products. We've used styromfoam peanuts, scrunched up local newspapers, empty egg cartons (avail from grocer), EMPTY plastic water bottles, cleaned out juice cartons, anything filled with air space. These products bring back fond memories when you unpack, too! The key is to have the outer box snugly filled so the inner box can't move around at all.
Good luck!
