Starting university abroad means fitting a life into a couple of suitcases — and airline excess baggage fees can cost more than the flight. Shipping the overflow separately is almost always cheaper and less stressful.
Ship it, don't drag it
Airlines typically allow 20–30 kg and charge steeply for anything over. A courier or cargo shipment for the excess is usually far more economical, and it means you're not hauling extra bags through airports and train stations on day one.
What students commonly send
- Books and study materials (heavy, so ship rather than fly them)
- Warm clothing and bedding for colder climates
- Kitchen basics and spices to cook familiar food
- Packaged food and snacks where permitted
- Personal essentials that are cheaper from home
Time it right
Aim for your shipment to arrive after you do, so someone can receive it. Factor in transit time plus a buffer for customs. If you're shipping to a university residence, check whether it accepts parcels and from what date.
Keep the cost down
Because student shipments are often bulky but not heavy, volumetric weight is your main cost lever. Pack tight, right-size your boxes and consolidate into fewer, well-filled parcels. Our student rates are built to be budget-friendly, and we'll help you pack economically.
Documents
You'll usually need your photo ID and an invoice or value declaration for the contents. Personal effects for students are common shipments and rarely attract high duties when declared honestly, but rules vary by country — we'll advise for your destination.
Packing tips that save money and heartache
- 1Boxes, not loose bags — they stack, protect and measure predictably.
- 2Heavy items low and central so boxes don't burst.
- 3Cushion electronics and fragiles or use our packaging service.
- 4Label each box with contents and your destination address.
We make it simple
Tell us your destination country, roughly how much you're sending and when you fly. We'll suggest the cheapest compliant option, arrange a door pickup and get your essentials there safely — so you can focus on settling in.
