Shipping & Customs
There are many companies out there that can ship things for you, but you have a few decisions to make before you start packing. Here are some questions to consider:
Am I shipping anything fragile?
If so, you’ll want to pack it VERY carefully, and potentially avoid land or sea mail, which can be rough on boxes.
How much am I shipping?
Decide how much will need to be shipped. Some shipping companies charge by volume rather than weight, so this could be more economical for you.
Will I need my box(es) within 2 months of my return?
While sea and land mailing are cheaper, there’s a trade-off in time. Packages may take up to 3 months to arrive to their destination.
Am I even ALLOWED to take this home?
Shipping foods is not always a good idea. Make sure you catch up on your country’s prohibited items list to prevent any nasty run-ins with border control!
- Australia
- Canada
- Jamaica – Prohibited/Restricted
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Trinidad & Tobago – Section 45, Ch. 78:01 FAQ
- Taiwan – English/中文版
- UK
- USA
Japan Post
Allied Pickfords
Nippon Express
Econoship
Yamato Kuroneko
Important notes:
- Make an inventory of everything you’re sending in each box, along with estimated worth. Label the boxes somehow (A, B, C etc.) so you know which ones have arrived and which are still en route.
- And for the shipping newbies in the crowd, here and here are some resources for how to pack a box that survives.
- Check your shipping company’s guidelines – Coming from someone who used to work in corporate distribution, if the company can prove you didn’t pack the box according to their guidelines, they don’t have to pay any damage fees. Follow the shipping company’s guidelines as closely as you possibly can.