ship from France to US?
June 13, 2008 9:13 AM Subscribe
Any up-to-date advice about less expensive (not cheap, of course) ways to ship about 100-150 lb of personal belongings from France to the US? I don't need fast delivery, just reliable and not break-the-bank.
What kinds of belongings? If France has an equivalent to the US' M-bags your books/printed media can go cheaply, at least. Ask at a post office.
posted by mdonley at 9:55 AM on June 13, 2008
posted by mdonley at 9:55 AM on June 13, 2008
Well, it depends on what you mean by less expensive. One time I shipped a bike back. I had to go down to the bike shop and get a special box... it weighed about 35 pounds and was oversize. I took it to La Poste and they shipped it for around 150 euros - mostly because it was oversize. But it did get back to the US, within 2 or 3 weeks. They are generally reliable but it might not be feasible to send 5 30lb boxes.
posted by infinitefloatingbrains at 9:58 AM on June 13, 2008
posted by infinitefloatingbrains at 9:58 AM on June 13, 2008
Several years ago, I shipped some personal items (books and a bicycle) via a major airline. the rates were relatively reasonable, particularly with the awkward size of the bike. They are more concerned about weight than size.
posted by zephyrian at 10:01 AM on June 13, 2008
posted by zephyrian at 10:01 AM on June 13, 2008
Use media mail for your books/print media, yes - they do have that - when I used it I just had to box things up and take to a post office. I think there are some specifics on what size boxes. It'll take a few weeks but not expensive. I would go to the post office and ask what to do, they'll help with that.
posted by citron at 1:21 PM on June 13, 2008
posted by citron at 1:21 PM on June 13, 2008
In the past I've shipped heavy things internationally by putting them on a pallet then contacting a delivery company (DHL in our case) who pick it up and deliver it to its destination. Unfortunately due to the way my organisation works, I have only a vague idea how much this costs - around $100 within my country, more internationally.
Of course, if you can break the shipment down into parcels that can be lifted by a single man under relevant safety regulations (about 50lbs, usually) most delivery companies will take them as normal parcels. But then, you probably knew that already :)
Also, a word about packing your stuff if you use boxes: Shippers sometimes stack boxes on top of one another. Make sure your boxes can take some weight from above without bursting open or damaging your stuff. Also, make sure you get insurance commensurate to the value of the items being shipped.
posted by Mike1024 at 1:42 PM on June 13, 2008
Of course, if you can break the shipment down into parcels that can be lifted by a single man under relevant safety regulations (about 50lbs, usually) most delivery companies will take them as normal parcels. But then, you probably knew that already :)
Also, a word about packing your stuff if you use boxes: Shippers sometimes stack boxes on top of one another. Make sure your boxes can take some weight from above without bursting open or damaging your stuff. Also, make sure you get insurance commensurate to the value of the items being shipped.
posted by Mike1024 at 1:42 PM on June 13, 2008
I used La Poste to send boxes of books and clothes to New York City. Took from four to six weeks and was very inexpensive and hassle-free.
posted by Mo Nickels at 3:05 PM on June 13, 2008
posted by Mo Nickels at 3:05 PM on June 13, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sharkfu at 9:18 AM on June 13, 2008