This will be our 9th RS tour. We normally avoid much shopping, but are quite enthralled by the idea of bringing home pottery from Portugal. Before tariffs and port problems I would have considered shipping. Now we will just take it home on our own. Any packing suggestions? Tips for throwing in extra bags? Can you take a well-packed box on a plane?
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3427 posts
Depending on the value of the pottery, you may still need to declare and pay duty on them if you bring it back yourself. The rules have been evolving so you'll need to look into that before you go.
To take any well packed box on a plane, if not in checked luggage, it would have to meet the airline's carry on size guidelines and fit in the overhead bins. If you put it in checked baggage you could face charges for overweight bags (depending on how much you buy). I've brought back breakables in checked bags with mixed success. I think I'm about 50-50 record wise, so I don't buy breakables any more. A reputable seller is going to know how to wrap/package for the mode of transport you decide, so tell them when you purchase so you can improve your chances.
Posted by
NC
651 posts
Pottery is a favorite travel souvenir of mine, including from Portugal. I always have the vendor wrap for air travel and then pad the piece with dirty clothes in my suitcase. Have never had a failure though my pieces have all been small to medium in size — nothing large. Would assume that, if boxed, you could bring it onboard in lieu of a carryon.
Good luck!
Posted by
Westford, MA
228 posts
I brought 2 large bowls and some other ceramics home from Sicily. On another trip I brought a large platter and bowl home from Italy. Both times they were packed for travel and stacked in a bag which I carried on to the plane and put in the overhead compartment. On the way home I often check my carry-on suitcase since I could make do if it is delayed or even lost.
Posted by
Western WA
220 posts
I've brought home small pieces of pottery from Portugal, vases and a few figurines. I put it in the middle of my carry-on bag with my clothes surrounding it.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1950 posts
At this point in time, Portugal and several other EU countries are not shipping packages to the U.S. due to the tariff issue. So, shipping may not be an option.
For an extra bag, you can buy duffle bags that fold into a quite small envelope type package. They go easily in your luggage when folded - then fold out to a nice size duffle bag when needed. You could pack nonbreakable things in it on the way home, then pack your pottery in a hard sided bag, or a carryon that you would control. I’ve used these bags for years and never go back to the U.S. without one.