Suitcase Too Heavy? Can You Ship It Instead?

You've packed everything you need for your trip. Your flights are booked and you're nearly ready to leave. Then you weigh your suitcase and discover it's several kilograms over your airline's baggage allowance.

It's a familiar situation for anyone heading overseas for an extended holiday or moving to another country. You start taking things out and trying to decide what you can leave behind. But what if you actually need everything you've packed?

The good news is that you may have another option. Instead of paying excess baggage fees or leaving your belongings behind you can arrange to have a suitcase shipped separately to your destination.

How much luggage can you actually take on a flight?

Your checked baggage allowance depends on the airline and the type of ticket you've purchased. Some tickets include one checked bag while others include two or none at all.

For example Air New Zealand generally allows a standard checked bag weighing up to 23 kg before additional charges apply. Bags weighing more than this may be accepted up to 32 kg subject to the airline's conditions and available space.

These figures are based on Air New Zealand's published baggage guidance. Other airlines have different limits and charges. Always check the rules for your actual flight especially if you're travelling with more than one airline.

If your suitcase is only a kilogram or two over the allowance it may be easiest to rearrange your belongings. But if you're carrying considerably more than your ticket permits it's worth looking at the alternatives.

Is it cheaper to pay excess baggage fees or ship a suitcase?

It depends on how much extra luggage you have and where you're travelling.

Airlines often offer the option of purchasing another checked bag before departure. This can be cheaper than paying for an overweight suitcase at the airport.

International courier shipping is a separate service. The cost depends on the collection location and destination as well as the size and weight of the suitcase. Additional charges can apply for customs processing or delivery to certain locations.

For a single suitcase that's only slightly overweight paying the airline will often be the simpler option. In some cases it may also be cheaper.

Shipping becomes worth considering when you're moving overseas or travelling with several bags. It can also be useful when you want to arrive without having to manage all your belongings through airports and transfers.

What if you're moving overseas with three or four suitcases?

This is where things can become more complicated.

Imagine you're moving from Auckland to London. You have two suitcases included in your ticket but you've packed four. You've got clothing for different seasons along with shoes and other belongings you've accumulated over the years.

You could pay the airline to take the additional bags if your booking allows it. You could also look at sending one or two suitcases ahead or arranging for them to arrive after you've settled in.

There isn't one correct answer for every traveller. Someone heading away for two weeks will have different priorities from someone relocating permanently.

Can you send your suitcase before you fly?

Yes. You can arrange to ship a suitcase before your departure provided you have a suitable delivery address and enough time for the shipment to arrive.

Some people prefer to send nonessential belongings ahead. Others arrange shipping after they've arrived at their new home.

Keep in mind that international delivery dates are estimates rather than guarantees. Customs clearance and other transport delays can affect the arrival date.

If you're sending luggage to a hotel or temporary accommodation make sure the property is willing to receive it. You should also confirm how long they can hold it and whether any receiving fees apply.

Can you send a suitcase after you've already flown overseas?

You can. For example you might move to Australia and leave some of your belongings with family in New Zealand until you've found somewhere to live.

Once you're ready you can arrange for those belongings to be packed and collected for international shipping.

The person holding your luggage may need to help with the collection and confirm exactly what's inside. An accurate description of the contents and their values is important for customs purposes.

This can be particularly helpful when you're moving into temporary accommodation and don't want all your belongings arriving at once.

How does international suitcase shipping work?

Although the process varies between shipping providers the general steps are straightforward.

Be careful about what's inside your suitcase

One of the biggest differences between flying with luggage and sending it by courier is what you're allowed to pack.

You might be permitted to carry certain toiletries or battery powered devices in your personal airline baggage under specific conditions. That doesn't automatically mean those items can be sent in an international courier shipment.

Items that commonly need further checking include:

• Perfume and some fragrances
• Aerosol deodorants and spray products
• Power banks and spare lithium batteries
• Electronic devices containing batteries
• Paint and flammable liquids
• Certain cleaning products and chemicals
• Food and products subject to biosecurity restrictions

If you're unsure about something inside your suitcase ask the shipping provider before packing it. Removing or correctly assessing a restricted item before collection is much easier than dealing with a shipment that has been rejected.

Will you have to pay customs duty on your suitcase?

Possibly. This depends on the country you're sending it to and the circumstances of the shipment.

Some countries offer customs concessions for used personal belongings when someone is moving their normal place of residence. These concessions often have eligibility conditions and documentation requirements.

Sending a suitcase to yourself does not automatically make the contents exempt from import duties or taxes.

You may be asked for a description of the contents and an estimated value for each item or group of items. Avoid declaring everything as having no value simply because it's used.

If you're relocating permanently it's worth checking the destination country's customs rules before you arrange shipping.

How to prepare your suitcase for shipping

A suitcase designed for airline travel isn't necessarily designed for every stage of an international courier network. It may pass through sorting facilities and several handling points before reaching its destination.

Before arranging collection it's worth spending a few minutes checking the following.

What would I do if my suitcase was overweight?

If I was travelling tomorrow and my suitcase was only 2 kg over the limit I'd start by checking the airline's overweight fee. I'd also see whether I could redistribute a few things without exceeding my other baggage allowances.

If I had an additional 20 kg of belongings and was moving overseas I'd compare the cost of another checked bag against shipping those belongings separately.

And if I didn't need the extra items immediately I'd be more comfortable arranging a separate delivery rather than trying to carry everything through the airport.

The important thing is to make the decision before you get to the check in counter. That gives you more options and time to organise them properly.

Frequently asked questions

So should you ship your suitcase instead?

If your suitcase is only slightly overweight I'd check the airline's fees first. There's no point arranging a separate shipment if moving a few items or purchasing additional baggage solves the problem.

But if you're moving overseas or travelling with more belongings than you can comfortably manage then shipping a suitcase separately is certainly worth considering.

You don't necessarily have to take everything on the plane with you. Sometimes it makes more sense to travel with the essentials and arrange for the rest to follow.