Left Belongings Overseas? Here's How to Get Them Back

You've returned home from an overseas trip or finished living in another country. Everything seemed sorted until you realised some of your belongings are still sitting thousands of kilometres away.

Maybe you left a suitcase with a friend because you couldn't fit it on your flight. Perhaps you've moved back to New Zealand but still have clothes and personal belongings at your old flat in Australia. Or maybe you've got a storage unit overseas that you're finally ready to empty.

Whatever the situation you might be wondering whether you need to travel back to collect everything.

In many cases you don't.

What if you've left your belongings with friends or family?

This is probably one of the easier situations to manage.

For example you might have spent a year living in Melbourne before returning to New Zealand. You took your essential belongings home on the flight but left another suitcase with a friend because you couldn't fit everything into your baggage allowance.

Now you're back in Auckland and want the rest of your clothes and personal belongings returned.

Rather than booking another flight you can look at arranging an international courier collection from your friend's address.

Your friend may need to make sure the suitcase is packed securely and available for collection. They might also need to attach a shipping label or place the suitcase inside a protective carton depending on the carrier's requirements.

You can generally organise the shipping arrangements remotely as long as the required information is available.

Common situations where people need belongings collected overseas

Can you arrange collection if you're not in the country?

Yes. Many international shipping arrangements can be organised remotely.

The important part is having someone who can provide access to the belongings at the collection address.

For a suitcase sitting at a friend's house this is usually straightforward. Your friend can make the package available when the courier arrives.

If the belongings are in storage it can be more complicated. Some storage facilities may allow a courier or authorised representative to collect items while others may require you to arrange access separately.

You'll need to check whether the facility can release your belongings and whether the goods are already packed for transport.

Remember that a courier collecting a package is not necessarily responsible for packing it. If the belongings are loose or unpacked you may need someone locally to prepare them first.

How to arrange international collection from another country

The process is usually easier when you have the collection details and an accurate list of belongings ready before requesting a quote.

What if your belongings are in a storage unit overseas?

This situation needs a little more planning.

If you have a storage unit in another country the first thing to check is whether someone can access it on your behalf.

Some facilities require the account holder to provide written authorisation before another person can collect goods.

You'll also need to find out whether the items are packed into suitable cartons or whether they're loose inside the unit.

A standard courier collection generally assumes that packages are ready to transport. It doesn't usually include opening a storage unit, sorting through belongings and packing everything.

If you have several cartons or larger household items it may be more appropriate to contact a moving company or freight provider that offers local packing and collection services.

Example: You left two suitcases in Australia and now live in New Zealand

Do your belongings need to be packed into cardboard boxes?

Not always. Some international courier services accept suitcases as packages provided they are suitable for transport.

However a suitcase that works well for airline travel may not be suitable for every courier network.

Wheels, handles and loose straps can be vulnerable during handling. Some carriers require luggage to be placed inside a strong cardboard carton or other protective outer packaging.

If you're sending fragile items such as glassware or electronics you'll need to make sure they're protected properly.

Before booking collection check the carrier's requirements rather than assuming the suitcase can be shipped as it is.

What if you don't know exactly what's inside?

This can be a problem especially when you've been away from the belongings for several months.

You might remember leaving clothes and shoes behind but forget about the perfume, power bank or aerosol deodorant sitting in one of the pockets.

These items can affect whether a shipment is accepted for international transport.

Ask the person holding your belongings to check every compartment and send photographs if necessary.

Will you have to pay customs duty on your own belongings?

Possibly. The fact that you already own the belongings doesn't automatically mean they can enter another country without import duties or taxes.

Customs authorities may need to know what the items are, how much they're worth and why they're being imported.

Some countries offer concessions for used personal belongings when someone is moving their normal place of residence. These usually have specific eligibility requirements.

If you're bringing belongings back to New Zealand you should review the New Zealand Customs rules for household and personal effects.

You may also need to provide evidence of your previous residence or the circumstances of your move.

Don't assume that declaring something as a gift or assigning it a value of zero will avoid customs charges. The information should accurately reflect the shipment.

What happens if nobody can be there for collection?

If your belongings are sitting at an empty property or in a locked storage unit you'll need to organise access before a courier can collect them.

A courier usually won't be able to enter a property or retrieve loose belongings without prior arrangements.

Depending on the location you might be able to ask a friend, property manager, storage facility or local packing service to assist.

It's best to sort this out before booking collection so the driver doesn't arrive and find that the shipment isn't available.

How much does it cost to get belongings shipped home?

The cost depends on several things including the collection country, delivery destination, number of packages and their weight and dimensions.

International couriers may charge according to volumetric weight rather than actual weight when a package takes up a lot of space.

For example a large suitcase weighing 12 kg could have a higher chargeable weight because of its dimensions.

Additional costs may apply if the belongings need professional packing, collection from a remote location or customs processing.

If you have several large cartons or household items it may be worth comparing courier shipping with freight or moving services.

Checklist: Getting belongings returned from overseas

Frequently asked questions

You don't always need to travel back for your belongings

Leaving belongings overseas can be frustrating especially when you're already settled back home.

But whether you've left a suitcase with a friend or still have cartons sitting in storage there may be a way to arrange their return without another international trip.

The most important things are knowing exactly what's being sent and making sure someone can prepare the packages for collection.

Once you've got those details it's much easier to compare shipping options and work out the best way to get everything home.