One of the most common mistakes people make when they are preparing to travel is not being organized enough. However, there are several important things you need to know before going abroad, and one of them is how to send unaccompanied luggage. If you don’t want your valuables and clothes to get lost or damaged during the trip, below are some useful tips on sending unaccompanied luggage abroad.
Make sure your luggage is the right size to avoid overage fees
One of the primary things that you can do when you are preparing to send unaccompanied luggage abroad is to make sure that your bags fall under the right size. This way, you can avoid extra fees for having oversized items in your bag when checking it in at the airport or train station. If you are a student, take the time to explore online sources where you may come across student shipping services at a very reasonable cost to help ship your luggage in advance. This will prove to be beneficial for you, particularly if you have a limited budget in moving or for your trip. However, you still need to ensure that your luggage is inside the standard size before checking it in, or else you will end up paying extra cash.
Pack light and avoid buying new clothes during your trip
You also need to make sure that you know what to pack for your upcoming trip abroad. Avoid bringing too many items especially if they are heavy, bulky, or unnecessary like expensive jewelry unless you want to pay a lot of money for them to be shipped. If you have the luxury of time, try going on an online shopping spree and order items from sites that ship internationally at reasonable rates, or opt to buy clothes in your destination country instead when you arrive there, alleviating you from the need to pack and ship them in advance. In addition, it is best if you only bring light clothing, especially when traveling during summer, to lessen the items that you need to include in your luggage.
Get a proper shipping box for your luggage
Another thing that you need to do when sending unaccompanied luggage abroad is to make sure that it has its box, so people can easily identify where it came from and who owns the bag. Make sure that the label on the package is clear. Also, put your address on the outside of the box so that it won’t get lost along with other packages when they are being transferred at different stops before reaching their destination country. As much as possible, do not use the original box of your luggage because this might get it damaged along with other boxes.
Take care of your luggage before sending unaccompanied luggage abroad
When preparing to send unaccompanied luggage, another thing that you should do is to take good care of your luggage first. Make sure that all the important documents and items are inside a protective case or bag, so they won’t get wet, damaged, or lost during shipping. Other items such as coat hangers and shoe bags should also be removed from the luggage before you send them. Also, make sure that all zippers of your bag are closed tightly to avoid any damage when it is being shipped. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you pack your luggage and take care of it.
Be aware of any airline baggage restrictions or charges that apply to certain destinations
Some destinations have stricter airline baggage restrictions than other countries. For example, there are airports where the weight limit of your luggage is only 15 pounds for checked bags and 25 pounds for carry-on items, or else it will be sent back to you immediately because they can’t accommodate overweight pieces in their planes. Make sure that you know all the important details about traveling abroad, so you can be ready with all the important documents that will prove useful to give your luggage a smoother trip. In this way, you can avoid being charged with overweight luggage fees, fines, and other associated charges from the airline company. Knowing these restrictions will also help ensure that your luggage will not be sent back during the middle of their trip. Otherwise, you can always get help from a professional shipping company if necessary, particularly if you do not want to go through all that hassle.
Check if all of the required paperwork and documents have been filled out properly
Another thing that you need to do when sending unaccompanied luggage abroad is to make sure that all of your paperwork and documents are complete. You need to have a passport, boarding pass or tickets, visa papers for the destination country, proof of onward travel upon arrival at the final delivery point in addition to other necessary documents before you send your suitcase overseas, so it will not get delayed along with other unclaimed luggage. These documents will prove useful for your luggage to get through customs without any hassle. These will also help ensure that you will be able to retrieve your suitcase as soon as possible after it has been sent.
Get an international travel insurance plan before you go
Finally, get an international travel insurance plan before you go, so your luggage won’t get lost, regardless of whether it’s a suitcase or box. This way, if anything happens to its content while being shipped, then at least you can file for an appropriate claim that will cover the full value of what is inside your luggage as well as other damages. For you to be able to save on insurance premiums, you can start searching for a plan that is suitable to your needs and requirements as early as possible. In this way, you will be able to compare the different travel insurance plans offered by various companies and choose the best one for you.
Traveling abroad can be expensive. But if you are planning a trip, make sure to take the time to plan and pack smart. The simple steps listed above will help you save money on your next adventure overseas, particularly when it comes to your unaccompanied luggage.
