When summer vacation beckons, the thought of sending your luggage abroad via courier may cross your mind. Many travelers opt to ship their baggage ahead, especially for extended trips or when lugging around sports equipment. But is it a worthwhile endeavor?
In this guide, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of shipping luggage in advance. We’ll help you determine if using Sprint Express, a trusted courier service, is a cost-effective alternative to airline baggage fees. Additionally, we’ll provide insights into the considerations when sending unaccompanied baggage.
Quick Links:
Pros and Cons of Shipping Luggage Ahead
Airline Baggage Fees Versus Courier Costs
Top Couriers for International Luggage Shipping
What You Should Know About Shipping Unaccompanied Baggage
Tips for International Luggage Shipping
Is Shipping Your Luggage Ahead the Right Choice?
Sending your luggage ahead can be an ideal solution when embarking on extended trips, moving abroad, or traveling with bulky sports equipment. However, before you take the leap, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of international luggage shipping.
Pros of Sending Luggage Ahead:
Streamlined check-in and baggage collection processes.
Potential cost savings compared to airline fees for excess or oversized baggage.
Effortless airport navigation with fewer oversized bags or sports gear.
Savings on taxi fares by using public transport, as Sprint Express will collect your luggage from your doorstep and deliver it to your destination.
Cons of Sending Luggage Ahead:
Packaging requirements, with Sprint Express mandating suitcases to be enclosed in an outer box.
Possible customs delays due to specific rules and restrictions in certain countries.
Extensive customs documentation, requiring detailed information for unaccompanied baggage.
A designated recipient in the destination country to complete the customs process.
Beyond potential cost savings, the allure of a hassle-free, baggage-free travel experience is a driving force behind luggage shipping. However, the convenience should be balanced against the extra preparation time required for international luggage shipping and potential contingencies.
Is Shipping Luggage by Sprint Express More Affordable?
With excess baggage fees on many U.S. airlines exceeding $150, shipping luggage in advance could be a cost-effective solution. But how does the cost of shipping a suitcase through Sprint Express compare to airline baggage fees?
Airline baggage fees fluctuate depending on various factors, including the airline, the travel class, and excess baggage specifics. To provide a cost comparison, we assessed excess baggage fees for economy class travel from the U.S. to Europe with Delta and American Airlines. It’s essential to understand that these fees apply in both directions.
Delta’s Excess Baggage Fees:
1 x extra bag (outside free allowance) = $100
2nd extra bag = $285
Standard size/weight limit: 62 inches (combined L+W+H), 50 lbs
Oversized baggage fees: 63-80 inches, $100-$300 (variable by destination)
Overweight baggage fees: 51-70 lbs, $100-$150 USD (variable by destination)
American Airlines’ Excess Baggage Fees:
1 x extra bag (outside free allowance) = $75
2nd bag = $100
Standard size/weight limit: 62 inches (combined L+W+H), 50 lbs
Oversized baggage fees: 62-126 inches, $150-$200 (variable by destination)
Overweight baggage fees: 51-70 lbs, $100-$200 (variable by destination)
These fees are applied for each leg of the journey, meaning they double for round trips. While sending a medium-sized suitcase that exceeds the complimentary baggage allowance may not significantly impact your wallet, the costs escalate when shipping excess baggage exceeding weight and size limits.
For instance, sending a single extra-large suitcase (L32 inches, W22 inches, H14 inches) that’s both oversize and overweight would result in a total fee of $600. When this fee is doubled for a round trip, or if it’s your second checked bag outside the complimentary baggage allowance, costs can become burdensome.
The Cost of Shipping a Suitcase:
The cost of shipping a suitcase via Sprint Express depends on its size, weight, and destination. By using our free shipping calculator, you can quickly and easily determine the shipping cost for your suitcase.
We’ve compiled approximate costs for shipping a large suitcase to the UK from the U.S. and compared them to Delta’s excess baggage fees. Notably, Delta charges $300 for oversize baggage traveling to Europe.
Delta’s Fees (USD) versus Sprint Express Prices (One Way):
Large suitcase: L27 inches, W18.5 inches, H14 inches, 50 lbs (First extra bag, not overweight)
Delta fee: $100 each way, Total: $200
Sprint Express price*: $198
Large suitcase: L27 inches, W18.5 inches, H14 inches, 60 lbs (First extra bag, overweight)
Delta fee: $100 + $100 each way, Total: $400
Sprint Express price*: $204
Large suitcase: L27 inches, W18.5 inches, H14 inches, 70 lbs (Second extra bag, overweight)
Delta fee: $285 + $100 each way, Total: $770
Sprint Express price*: $253
Extra large suitcase: L32 inches, W22 inches, H14 inches, 60 lbs (First extra bag, oversize & overweight)
Delta fee: $100 + $300 + $100 each way, Total: $1,000
Sprint Express price*: $204
Extra large suitcase: L32 inches, W22 inches, H14 inches, 70 lbs (Second extra bag, oversize & overweight)
Delta fee: $285 + $300 + $100 each way, Total: $1,370
Sprint Express price*: $253
*Prices are accurate as of July 2022 and are based on shipping suitcases of specified weight and size from the U.S. to the UK. Prices are subject to change and do not cover packaging or customs fees.
From the table above, it’s evident that substantial savings in international luggage shipping occur when you need to send excess baggage that’s also overweight and oversize. While sending one extra bag that’s overweight may align with courier costs, baggage fees soar when oversize fees are introduced. Add a second oversize and overweight bag into the equation, and courier shipping likely becomes the more cost-effective option.
Moreover, most airlines typically refuse to carry bags over 70 lbs, which necessitates a courier experienced in shipping large and heavy items for travelers with such requirements.
Top Couriers for Shipping Luggage:
When searching for a courier to ship your suitcase internationally, UPS, FedEx, and DHL are top recommendations. These courier companies offer international luggage shipping services from the U.S., particularly for larger items. Sprint Express is also an option for shipping suitcases internationally, provided they are boxed and remain within size and weight restrictions.
Prices may vary among couriers, but you can efficiently compare luggage shipping quotes from multiple carriers using our convenient shipping calculator.
Shipping Unaccompanied Baggage – Key Considerations:
If you’ve decided to ship your luggage through Sprint Express, there are essential factors to keep in mind regarding shipping unaccompanied baggage.
Country Restrictions on Personal Effects: Certain countries impose specific regulations on the import of personal effects, so it’s always best to research this thoroughly before you ship. Mexico for example, has strict rules on the import of used clothing that’s not part of your personal luggage and India and Japan have specific processes for importing personal effects.
Recipient Contact Information: To ship any item internationally you need to provide local contact details for the person who will be receiving it. This is because the customs clearance process needs to be completed by the recipient. Do not use your US phone number as the recipient contact number on the customs declaration, as customs will rarely make international calls to clear shipments.
Customs Declarations: When you send an unaccompanied bag you’ll need to provide a full itinerary of the items you’re sending. This is an important part of the customs declaration and needs to include a detailed description, value and use for each item. If you’re shipping to Europe you’ll need to provide an HS code for each item.
Packaging: Some couriers will only accept suitcases that are in an outer box. This is because the wheels and handles can cause damage to the conveyors/sorting systems. UPS will accept unboxed suitcases but often add an additional fee.
Insurance: If your suitcase is not in an outer box, only the contents will be insured. This means if your favourite MontBlanc gets damaged in transit, it won’t be covered.
To ensure your suitcase is adequately protected, if it lacks an outer box, make sure wheels, straps, and handles are secured in place (ideally wrapped with plastic). Avoid attaching shipping labels or customs documents directly to fabric suitcases, as they may come off during transit.
So, Should You Ship Luggage Internationally via Sprint Express?
If you’re taking an extended trip and you know you’ll be travelling with large bags that are likely to be over the standard size and weight limit, then shipping those bags with Sprint Express, a reputable courier company, could save you time and money.
Check the baggage fees applied by your airline for excess, overweight and oversize bags (remember fees are applied both ways), then get a quick quote through our shipping calculator to compare the cost of shipping your luggage by courier. We’ll help you find the cheapest rates with Sprint Express so you can make the best choice for you.
Final Tips for Shipping Luggage Internationally with Sprint Express:
Box your suitcase before you ship – it may be tempting not to bother with an outer box but your belongings will be better protected if you do.
Pick a courier service with experience in shipping personal effects.
Select a courier service with comprehensive online tracking capabilities.
Compare rates from various couriers to secure the best deal, with the aid of our shipping calculator.
Ensure there’s someone at the destination to receive your luggage and fulfill any necessary customs requirements.
