Anyone have experience or recommendations on shipping good from Italy to North America? My wife and I are traveling very light this trip to Europe and want to ship some food/wine /clothes back home about halfway through the trip from Rome or Venice.
I expect a box around the size of a standard 12 Bottle wine box. I understand there will be costs involved but speed is not an issue. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Silverdale, WA, USA
141 posts
If money is no object, you can do so. I suggest you look at the post ending on 8/30 re shipping to the states. If you buy from a store, shipping generally makes sense. On your own, not so much.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
We shipped wine directly from Brunello wineries in and around Montalcino to San Francisco. Best to let the winery and/or store do the shipping. It works out at about 8 Euros per bottle for a full case, so really only worthwhile for high end wines that you can't get easily in the US. Otherwise, it is cheaper to use lightweight but strong packing materials and max out your baggage allowance.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
For expensive purchases you are best to have the store ship for you. You save the VAT which typically can cover the cost of shipping. The store is also responsible for packing and providing insurance. Always pay by credit card for such things as added protection. The other alternative is to bring an extra suitcase and carefully pack everything in that. You can buy bubble wrap at a shiping store. The extra checked bag fee will be less than the cost for shipping (though you've paid the VAT). If carrying around all that stuff is not an option, then a place like Mailboxes Etc will pack everything and ship UPS. I've had good luck with that but it IS expensive. Expect about $300 for what you've described. Do not use the local post office for anything you want to ever see again.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4408 posts
"... but speed is not an issue..." If that means you could wait an eternity, then simply use Poste Italiane ;-) Otherwise, definitely use the Big Shippers - FedEx/UPS/DHL, etc. - for this job. And there WILL be costs involved...but sometimes it's worth it.