Shipping luggage internationally can be a convenient and cost-effective way to transport your belongings from one country to another. With the right delivery provider and proper preparation, you can ensure that your luggage arrives safely and on time at your destination.

That being said, if you don’t know much about shipping luggage overseas, look no further! In this blog, we’re going to talk you through everything you need to know about shipping luggage internationally.

Who are some people that would Ship Luggage Internationally?

Firstly, you might be unsure of when you might need to ship your luggage ahead using a courier. So, here are some reasons why people may need to ship their luggage internationally:

• Travellers who are going on a long trip and need lots of belongings brought along with them
• People who are moving to a new location and need their belongings transported to their new home
• Students who are studying abroad and need their belongings transported to their destination
• Business travelers who need lots of equipment or materials brought with them on their trips
• Military personnel who are being deployed overseas and need their belongings shipped to their destination
• Tourists who are visiting multiple destinations and want to avoid carrying their luggage with them all the time.

Based on our experience, JustShip commonly ships out luggage for people relocating to another country or people going on an extended trip and need their belongings shipped to their destination.

When is Shipping a better option than using Airline Baggage?

Shipping luggage internationally using a reliable courier can be a better choice compared to using airline baggage in a few different situations, such as:

1. Going on a long trip or moving to a new location where many belongings need to be shipped.

Airlines often have strict weight and size limits for baggage, which can make it difficult for you to bring everything you need on the trip.

In these cases, shipping luggage internationally can be a great solution, as it allows you to send your luggage directly to its destination without having to worry about fitting it into an overhead compartment or paying excess baggage fees.

2. Transporting valuable or fragile items

Shipping luggage internationally allows you to have more control over the handling and transportation of your belongings, which can help to protect valuable or fragile items from damage or loss.

In contrast, using airline baggage can often result in rough handling of belongings, which can increase the risk of damage.

How to Declare Luggage for Customs

It’s important that when you ship out your parcel with any delivery provider, you provide a clear detailed description of your items on your package invoice. This will help reduce the risk of customs delays or additional documents required.

More specifically when shipping luggage, it’s important that you declare the type of items that are inside your luggage. For example:

Item Description in JustShip's Shipment Form

(Note: If your luggage is packed into a box whereby customs might not work out what your item is. It may be best to add an extra item description for ‘Used Luggage’ just to be safe!)

It is also important to declare the value of your items accurately. Declaring your item value accurately reduces the risk of customs clearance delays and helps you get the correct compensation if your shipment is lost or damaged in transit.

If you want a broad overview of how to ship internationally, check out our Ultimate guide to shipping internationally from Singapore!

However, before you skip to filling in shipment forms and declaring your shipment items, it’s essential that you do your own research into your destination country’s restricted and prohibited items before booking your shipment.

At JustShip, the shipping process is effortless as we provide an expert review of your item documentation to ensure that you don’t ship items that are prohibited or restricted in other countries!

(However, it’s important that you respond and make changes to your documentation if you’re prompted to.)

If you have doubts or enquiries that need clarifying, feel free to contact us via Whatsapp or Gmail: hello@justship.sg!

How to Pack Luggage for International Shipping

Do I Need to Pack My Luggage in a Box?

It is possible to ship luggage internationally without a carton box. However, using a carton box can provide additional protection for your luggage and its contents during shipping, which can help to ensure that your belongings arrive at their destination in good condition.

How Do I Pack My Luggage Without Using a Box?

Here are some luggage packing tips if you're not going to pack it in a carton box:

1. Use a sturdy luggage bag

When shipping luggage internationally without a carton box, it's important to choose a sturdy and durable luggage bag or suitcase that is able to withstand the rigours of international shipping.

Strong, sturdy luggage is typically made from high-quality materials designed to be strong and durable, such as reinforced polycarbonate or hard-side polyester.

image source: amazon.sg

2. Bubble wrap your fragile items in your luggage

It's also important to properly pack your luggage to protect your belongings during shipping. This means using packing materials such as bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and cardboard dividers to cushion and protect your items.

Luggage with items packed with bubble wrap

3. Label your luggage

It's also a good idea to label each piece of luggage clearly with your name and destination and to include a detailed inventory of the contents of each bag.

Luggage with label

4. Shrink wrap your luggage

Consider shrink-wrapping the luggage if you are not placing the luggage in a carton box. This is to protect your luggage from scratches, especially on the locks and handles.

A JustShip shrink-wrapped Luggage

JustShip offers professional packing services at a small price. Save all your efforts on finding packing materials like bubble wrap, tape, and boxes because we have everything you need for shipping luggage at our warehouse!

We’ll pack your luggage securely, whether into a box or simply shrink-wrapped, and ensure the lowest possible volumetric weight so you save on shipping costs!

When Should I Get Insurance for Shipping Luggage?

There are a few situations when it may be particularly important to get insurance for shipping your luggage internationally, especially when you’re:

1. Shipping valuable or irreplaceable items.

e.g. Expensive Jewelry, Artwork, or Sentimental Items

2. Shipping delicate or fragile items

e.g. Electronics, Glassware, or Delicate Clothing

3. Shipping a large number of items

4. Shipping to a destination that is known to be prone to natural disasters

There is a greater risk of item damage or loss in areas prone to natural disasters. (e.g. Places, regions with earthquakes or hurricanes.)

5. Shipping to a destination that is known to have high rates of crime

e.g. Countries with a high rate of theft vandalism, as there is a greater risk of your belongings being lost or stolen.)

This can help to protect your belongings in case of damage or loss during shipping and can provide peace of mind for travellers who are concerned about the safety of their belongings.

Note: The luggage will not be covered by the insurance if the luggage is not packed into a carton box

Choosing a Reliable Delivery Provider

When choosing a courier for shipping your luggage, there are a few important factors to consider. These include:

1. The reliability of the courier

It's important to choose a courier with a good reputation for delivering packages on time and in good condition. You can research the courier's track record and read reviews from other customers to get a sense of their reliability.

JustShip is well-loved by our community with a rating of 4.9 stars on google reviews.

Not only that, we have a great deal of experience with shipping luggage and other bulky items like guitars, electronics, bags, etc.

Our aim is to provide every client with the best shipping experience no matter what they plan to ship!

2. The cost of shipping

Shipping luggage internationally can be expensive, so it's important to compare the prices of different couriers to find the best deal.

Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best choice, as some couriers may have hidden fees or surcharges that can add to the overall cost of shipping.

At JustShip, our shipping fees are transparent as we provide all our clients an accurate quote for their shipment without any hidden costs! However, this is provided that the details of your packages are declared properly in our shipment form, such as the dimensions and weight of your items!

In fact, we offer cheaper rates compared to other couriers! Since JustShip charges by volumetric or actual weight (the higher of the two), we try our best to minimise the volumetric weight of your packages by cutting and using custom-sized boxes so that you save on shipping costs!

3. The speed of delivery

If you need your luggage to arrive at its destination quickly, it's important to choose a courier that offers fast delivery options.

Some couriers may offer express or expedited shipping for an additional cost, which can help to ensure that your luggage arrives at its destination on time.

JustShip will ship your luggage to your destination within 2-5 working days worldwide.

We also offer a free next-day pickup from your doorstep, so all you have to do is leave your items outside your house and the rest is taken care of! (Note: Items are usually shipped out on the same day of pickup/dropoff)

4. The level of insurance provided

Most couriers offer some level of insurance for shipped packages, but it's important to carefully read the fine print and understand exactly what is covered.

In some cases, it may be worth purchasing additional insurance to protect your belongings in case of loss or damage during shipping.

JustShip offers shipping insurance, pegged at 2.4% of your declared item cost. More so than insurance, it scopes the maximum liability taken for your shipment if it was damaged/lost in transit.

You can have a worry-free shipping experience knowing that your items will be covered in case of any damages or loss!

You’re Ready to Start Shipping!

Overall, shipping luggage internationally can be a great option for travellers who need to transport a lot of belongings or valuable belongings to their destination.

It's important to carefully consider the cost, speed, and reliability of different shipping options, and to make sure to properly pack and label your luggage to ensure its safe arrival at your destination.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the convenience and peace of mind that comes with shipping your luggage internationally.

Create a shipment with JustShip and have a fast, worry-free shipping experience! Alternatively, you can get a quote for your package using our rate calculator to get an estimated cost of your shipping fees!