Shipping luggage overseas before you travel. How it works

Whether you’re planning on travelling, moving overseas or returning home after an extended stint down under, you may be wondering how best to transport your belongings.

In this guide, we’ll delve into different types of options and services for sending luggage abroad, what you can and can’t send, where to find help and more. Covering key details, this can help you to make an informed choice.

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Can I ship my luggage internationally from Australia and is it worth it?

Yes, you can ship your luggage overseas from Australia and there are many ways you can go about this.

However, whether or not this is a worthwhile exercise will depend on several different factors. This includes things such as cost, shipping times, convenience, value of the items and more.

Ultimately, this will be a personal decision based on your circumstances and the importance of the items in question.

How it works

Exactly how sending your luggage abroad will work will depend on the shipping provider you work with. Many allow you to book and pay online for simplified luggage sending.

Generally, no matter who you choose, you’ll be expected to package all items to a set standard and complete any relevant forms and declarations before they can be transported. In most instances, you’ll need to pay in advance, by weight, dimensions or both.

Upon collection from your address or when dropping at a collection point, you’ll then be provided with a receipt and any tracking information.

From here it is simply a matter of waiting for delivery to your nominated shipping address or pick-up location. Your chosen provider for the service will give you more details on how their process works and what to expect.

Options for sending luggage abroad

As already stated, there are many different options for sending your luggage overseas. Depending on your preferences for speed, cost and convenience, there include:

Australia Post

Alongside their standard international postal services for letters and small packages, Australia Post also offers international shipping for large parcels. However, strict weight limits and package dimensions apply, making it best suited to smaller, lighter luggage items.

Courier and shipping companies

International courier services such as DHL, Startrack, TNT or similar can provide fast door-to-door service, but often only deal with smaller, lighter luggage items.

Dedicated luggage shipping services

These companies specialise in shipping luggage for travellers and often offer more tailored services. This can include managing multiple or heavier pieces of luggage and overseeing things such as customs and insurance.

Airline Cargo Freight Services

Some airlines such as Qantas will allow you to ship luggage separately from your flight. This service is marketed as air cargo rather than checked baggage and can work out to be more economical than paying for excess baggage at check-in.

Sea Freight Services

Typically used for larger shipments or when time is less of a concern, sea freight can see luggage arriving many weeks after it is sent. This method is not recommended for shipments of less than 1 cubic metre in size.

The costs of sending luggage overseas

How much it will cost to send your luggage overseas is typically determined by size, weight and destination.

However, how much a company will charge per kilogram or item of a particular size can be vastly different. This is because as an unregulated industry, each one is free to set its own fees.

We’ll take a closer look at these costs further on.

Limits and weights

Which shipping option you choose may not only come down to cost. Most providers will have limits concerning maximum weight, dimensions or number of pieces that you’ll need to consider too.

To give an idea of the costs involved and what the limits or restrictions may look like, we’ve outlined some details in the table below. In this example, we’ve based our pricing on sending 20kg to the UK via post, courier or specialised freight service.

Shipping Service	Approx. cost per 20kg AUS to UK	Maximum weight limit per item shipped	Maximum dimensions
AusPost¹	AUD$378.30	20 kg	105 cm long 140 cm in diameter
DHL²	AUD$749.17	20 kg	Length + width + height must be less than 150 cm. Length must not exceed 105 cm
Send My Bag³	AUD$425.00	70kg	350,000cm³
Luggage Forward⁴	AUD$529.00	Varies by category	Varies by category

As seen on 20 September 2024

For pricing or dimension details for airline cargo shipping or sea freight, you’ll need to reach out to your chosen provider directly for a quote. These services are typically tailored to your specific needs and unable to be quoted or booked online.

What can and can’t you send this way?

If shipping clothing, small personal items such as photos, knick-knacks or other items that are generally considered safe, you shouldn't have any issues in sending your luggage overseas. Bikes, golf clubs, prams/strollers, skis, snowboards and more can also be sent without issue.

However, you should check carefully that you are not sending any items that are restricted or prohibited due to customs regulations, safety concerns, or international laws.

These items can vary by destination country, but below is a general list of items commonly prohibited for international shipping:

• Hazardous Materials
• Weapons and Related Items
• Drugs and Controlled Substances
• Perishable Food and Animal Products
• Cash and Valuable Documents
• Counterfeit Goods

Restricted items that you may be able to ship, but are recommended to do so with caution include:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Batteries
• Medications
• Cultural artefacts
• Food items
• Political or religious materials
• Pornographic material

Large electronic items, artwork or antique items may also be restricted or require special documentation for shipping. Your chosen shipping company will be able to guide you in more detail regarding what you can or can’t bring and any special paperwork you will need to complete.

Benefits of sending luggage abroad using dedicated companies

If you’re unsure about the merits of using a dedicated luggage shipping service, the benefits of doing so include:

• Convenience. There is no juggling extra bags at check-in, options for door-to-door pick-up and delivery and often pre-arranged customs handling
• Enhanced tracking and security plus the option to insure items against loss
• Flexible delivery options to suit your onward travel or arrival schedule
• Tailored, reliable service that ensures your luggage makes it safely from A to B
• Greater cost-effectiveness than simply paying for excess baggage at the airport
• Allowing you to send much larger or heavier items compared to using a post or courier service

Cons of shipping luggage abroad

Alongside the benefits of shipping your luggage abroad, there are of course also some potential downsides to consider such as:

• While often less expensive than excess baggage, shipping luggage can still come with significant costs
• In some circumstances, items may be held up in customs and unexpected duty charges required to be paid before your shipment can be released
• Just as with any luggage handed over to a third party, the risk of items going missing applies, particularly when sent in a shared shipment.
• Delivery delays can occur, especially when sent by sea.

Companies in Australia that ship luggage abroad

A competitive industry with many companies to choose from, some of Australia’s most highly rated, specialised providers for luggage shipping include:

1. Send My Bag

A highly rated service on Google, Send My Bag specialises in luggage shipping for travellers, expats and students. They offer competitive pricing, multiple door-to-door shipping options, real-time tracking and detailed customs support.

2. Seven Seas Worldwide

A global shipping company that offers both luggage shipping and international moving services, Seven Seas Worldwide has options for sea and air freight with competitive pricing for large or multiple shipments. They’re a preferred option for anyone with a large volume of luggage to ship.

3. Luggage Forward

A premium luggage shipping company, Luggage Forward provides guaranteed on-time delivery, real-time tracking and insurance for your belongings. Reviews note it’s a bit pricier than some alternatives but also that they offer exceptional service and specialist shipping for golf clubs, skis, boxes, trunks and bikes.

4. My Baggage

Reviewed as affordable and reliable, My Baggage is a dedicated luggage shipping company popular with students, expats and people relocating internationally. They offer door-to-door service, online tracking and budget-friendly options.

5. Pack & Send

An Australian-based shipping company with a global reach, Pack & Send offers a variety of solutions for sending small parcels, luggage and larger cargo overseas. They are noted online as a reliable choice for handling oversized or fragile items, including artwork or musical instruments.

Things to keep in mind

Before deciding whether to send your luggage overseas and who to send it with, we recommend keeping in mind the following:

• If delivery Speed is important, air freight will be faster but more expensive. Conversely, while sea freight is cheaper it can also take weeks.
• You will need to adhere to the customs regulations in the arrival destination. Depending on what you are shipping, this means you may need to fill out customs paperwork in advance and/or pay import duties.
• You should ensure that your shipping includes insurance for lost or damaged items, all handling charges and any other associated costs.
• If you need to send several suitcases or oversized luggage items, it is recommended to speak with an international removalist rather than a luggage transport company. This can be far more cost-effective as they often provide shared shipments by sea.

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Sources:

1. AusPost - International Parcel Shipping
2. DHL - International Courier Quote & Parcel Limits
3. Send My Bag - Baggage Prices & Size Allowances
4. Luggage Forward - Baggage Prices & Dimensions

Sources checked on: 20 September 2024