I'm sure this question must have been asked before, but I'm leaving for Berlin in two weeks, and hope to get some advice.
I'm thinking that I should mail things back to my home from Berlin Germany. I'm only bringing a back pack. The past two years I checked it through on the way home. On the way home this time, I have a shorter connection in Newark, and am afraid that I may not have enough time to get my backpack from check through for customs. It would take less time to have carry on and go right over to customs instead of getting it back from the checked bags and then customs.
I should be able to carry on my back pack like I did on the way over, when I had less to carry, if I mail things to my home from Berlin. Some things I can't carry on like snow globes and anything that has even a little fluid in it.
Has anyone ever mailed things to your home from where you were in Europe? If anyone knows anything about how dependable the postal service Germany has, I would be grateful for some information.
Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Fanwood, NJ, USA
62 posts
Mailing things back would be pretty easy. The German post is very reliable. (I have never mailed stuff back to myself, but lived there for a couple of years and mailed stuff to relatives regularly.) Most German post offices have boxes and other shipping supplies for sale. If you mark the package with something akin to "USA origin traveler's personal property" or declare a value less than $50 and mark as "gift" you should not have to pay duty. However, that said, the cost is quite high. Prices are at http://tinyurl.com/moff2 (Deutsche Post uses DHL for package shipping.) For example, a 20 lb box, would be EUR 42.
Paul
Posted by
OP
Beautiful Austin TX
582 posts
Thank you so much Paul! This is very helpful information! It does sound expensive, but most likely the package will weigh less than 20 lbs.
I'll still think about it, but it is nice to have options.
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
yes - i did a couple of packages home from germany last year - about 30euro for 5kg and 40 or so for 6kg. It took about 10-14days. just make the items as used (if clothing) and gift (for other trinkets) and keep it under $200 value. Also remember to send it to someone at your home other than "yourself" since they dont always like the "from me - to myself" names. Put another family member on the TO. They will have to sign or pickup at postoffice and sign if no one is home - so keep that inmind too! but go for it. Its easier than checking bags sometimes!
Posted by
OP
Beautiful Austin TX
582 posts
Thank you Tom!
I'm lucky that my son lives only a block away from me, so I can send the package to him!
Nice to have a helpline like this to get such great pointers!
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
There's also Mailboxes etc. in Germany. Check with their website. Even though Deutsche Post Worldnet (German postal serivce) who own DHL are probably the cheaper alternative. You can drop off your packages and any of the yellow German Post stations...
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
You didn't say whether you had a military connection. If you do, you can mail from a military base. Last time I was in Germany, 2005, parcels were charged as if you mailed them in the US.