Hi folks,

I'm about to go overseas and need to ship my gear to the US. It comes in at just under 22kg, and I've got 53 days before it needs to be there.

Can anyone recommend companies to use for shipping?

I'm currently looking online but need to do some follow up calls to find out about insurance/warranty in case the equipment is damaged in-transit. 'Pack and Send' seem cheap, but I've yet to find out if they have insurance.

Cheers!

For those interested, I'm going to use "Pack and Send", who have been very helpful over the phone, price seems comparable with other shipping companies, but they seem easier to interact with and you can buy all the packaging you need at the store front. I think to ship the gear it's going to cost between $400-500.

If you can always try and take your gear on the plane with you. Second option would be unaccompanied baggage through the airline. It's generally a fraction of what international carriers charge for excess.

Using a company like Pack and Send make sure your gear is properly packed. I would go as far as packing everything into a proper gear bag then wrap that bag into bubble wrap and finally pack it into thick card board. Having seen how this stuff is handled I'd be worried of damage.

ya take it on the plane, 22 kg of equipment and 8 kg of others. Get a lift to the airport, check it in ....see it on the other side and spent the saving on renting a car in the states, pack it all inside the car and off to the beach

I'd check the excess baggage rates with your airline as it may be the cheapest option. Unless they have changes policy, normally Going to North America they usually charge a fixed price per piece of luggage rate, as opposed to Europe where its per kg and can be up to $50 / kg.

Pack & send can provide loss and damag cover, providing your stuff is adequately packed.

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stehsegler said..
If you can always try and take your gear on the plane with you. Second option would be unaccompanied baggage through the airline. It's generally a fraction of what international carriers charge for excess.

Using a company like Pack and Send make sure your gear is properly packed. I would go as far as packing everything into a proper gear bag then wrap that bag into bubble wrap and finally pack it into thick card board. Having seen how this stuff is handled I'd be worried of damage.

Actually it turns out it's the same price. I ended up using Pack & Send, very convenient. Didn't need to overdo the wrapping, even managed to send it in a canvas/cloth bag with some internal padding of individual items. It was plastic wrapped. I'm told it made the journey safe and sound in just 3 days!

The reason I couldn't take it with me, is that I'm visiting a number of other countries where I wouldn't use the gear and it's not practical to take with me. I'll meet up with in later :-)

Many international freight companies will charge by either volume or weight. Whatever is the greatest value and can make the most money out of you.

I sent a bag to France and packed it to 44kg since volumetrically it was worth the price of 48 kgs and they said it was ok to do this. probably cost me about 400 in the end by the time you add all the fees at both ends. In France i paid a 80 euro fee for handling and bull****.

This was airfreight and they can make it arrive at the airport pickup as you land from your flight.