Hello!
My daughter will be shipping a large luggage (of personal clothing mainly) from Amsterdam to Canada. We are getting quotes from DHL and SendMyBags which I believe uses DHL as the courier.
What are the pros and cons of either using SendMyBags or DHL directly?
In any case, has anyone experienced any surprise charges due to customs clearance after paying the initial cost of the service?
I used SendMyBags from Rome to Los Angeles last year and although there was a delay, I was able to track the bags throughout. It is important to have a very detailed list of the contents (i.e. two sweaters, three shirts) and their value (and used clothing obviously is worth very little so I used numbers like $5) to avoid customs charges. It's not cheap, and the pickup in Italy was a bit chaotic, which I attribute to "Italy", but delivery was smooth in the end once my bags got to the US. The courier was DHL.
Thanks for your reply and suggestions for using small $ amounts. Those used clothing pieces are probably not worth much more. Do you know at which point or amount customs would charge duties? Do they look at an overall amount or individual items? Were you charged extra at all?
Why not just check it as an additional bag? Coming with her as her used clothes avoids the issue of dealing with customs/import duties.
Is it worth shipping compared to cost of replacing it at your local 2nd hand store?
Carefully sort out the 'must keep' from the 'OK to donate' and leave some stuff behind...??
Joe, thanks for your reply, but checking the bag is not an option as she is traveling onward from Amsterdam to Asia with a carry-on only.
Years ago my daughter sent a large box of extra winter clothes back home after her study abroad semester.
We went to MailBoxes, Etc. and the package was sent via FedEx. The staff will find the best price with the usual carriers (FedEx, DHL, etc)
I believe you can get a quote on their website but you’ll need to know the weight & measurements of her package or luggage,
Mail Boxes, Etc. will provide shipping materials and will make sure all forms are filled out correctly.
We’d considered SendmyBags but decided against them since we’d have to wait several hours at her apartment, or hotel, for pick up.
Hope this helps!
I used Sendmybags a few years ago to send a bag from London to the US.
It went without a hitch and arrived in four days. Using Sendmybags was cheaper than using DHL directly. My hotel was willing to give the bag to the courier went they came to pick it up and it was delivered to my PMB without a problem. (That's the only real difference is that someone has to be around to give the package to DHL when they pick it up and available to accept it at the other end.)
I don't know the customs laws for Canada but I didn't get any extra customs charges. If it's just used clothing I don't think it would be much if anything at all.
Concerning customs charges, they had my credit card on file so presumably any extra charges would have landed there. The instructions for SendMyBags include a form that you fill out and print with the details of the contents and an attestation that you sign. That form goes into a plastic envelope which is secured to the outside of the bag. So they review the form and then may or may not open the bag and inspect the contents. It was clear to me that my bags were never opened, by the way. I don't think your daughter will have any issues with used clothes. I had a few household items and framed pictures cushioned by clothing so more of a "mixed bag" and that didn't cost me anything more.
Thank you all for your help. Understanding the little nuances of the process and what worked is very helpful and puts my mind at ease. Much appreciated!!
