Shipping items Lisbon to US

Its no sin to check a bag. We do carryon only over, and check a bag on return.

Stan, I've done that before too, but this time the return flight is Transavia then Delta (tickets purchased from KLM). We don't have the ability to add on luggage except at the airport. Something about how the codeshare works.

I believe you will find it very expensive to ship heavy items like books. The Portuguese post (CTT) might be a bit less expensive than private carriers like FedEx, DHL and UPS. I encourage you to check their rates before you head over to Portugal. That nice 10-euro book could end up costing 20 euros or more (maybe much more) by the time you get it home. The cheapest thing to do is to max out the weight in your checked bag and put other heavy stuff in your carry-ons; that would be free. After that, it might be cheaper to pay for an extra checked bag rather than for international shipping.

I can assure you that finding an adequate shipping container, going to the right location (in some countries packages cannot be mailed from just any old post office), getting the required customs forms filled out correctly and waiting in line will most definitely not be less hassle than paying for extra luggage. Anyone expecting to do significant shopping in Europe should take an extra, folded-up bag (a gym bag would do) with them. Non-valuable, non-breakable items like clothes can be switched to the soft bag and the new purchases placed in the primary, more-protective suitcase. However, I should point out that an inexpensive suitcase may not hold up well to being stuffed with heavy books and tossed around by airline personnel.

If you have to ship something, try to make it clothes rather than books.

Don't forget to check to see whether you can order some of the desired books online from a US or Canadian source and have them shipped, comparatively cheaply, right to your home. Unless you're buying valuable, rare books, this may be more hassle than it's worth.

We went the main post office in Lisbon, stood in line with locals until a postal clerk pulled us to the head of line since we were guests in their country! We shipped several boxes but don’t remember cost. All went well.

I generally bring an extra duffel bag that we stuff with items to check for the return flight. But then, I generally pay for that extra bag online prior to the airport. It's just the first leg being Transavia that is creating the hassle. They also have a very low weight limit,.

Well, there are always pockets in jackets.

Another question, a bit related on why I'm hesitant to add luggage at the airport. If you check-in online, can you bypass the check-in counter and go directly to the gate? That is if your Covid documents have been preapproved? Traveling in Covid times confuses me a bit regarding if everyone still needs to stand in line to have documentation reviewed. I understand that Transavia lines can be long and I don't want to risk missing a flight while waiting unnecessarily or to wait to add a bag.

Doing a dummy booking on transavia there is a step in the booking process where you can pay for checked bags; price depends weight.

As you bought your tix through KLM you should have a KLM locator number and a locator number for each airline that is operating the flight. Are you not able to use your transavia number to access your reservation and add checked bags? If not, I would phone the airline(s), (or have you already done that?)

I suspect it easier and cheaper to take the stuff as checked baggage than finding a way to ship it, and have it subject to duty.

I already contacted KLM. They stated that "only possible to add baggage per one-way if all flights are operated by KLM and/or Air France" and that I could purchase at the airport.

I looked at their weight pricing and so much cheaper if could pay for it ahead of time.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good place to buy a cheap suitcase in Lisbon or Porto for a return trip check-on?

If no one comes up with a specific suggestion, I'd look for luggage displays outside the sort of cheap store that tends to be found around a city's main railroad station. It's possible you'd see something at a street market, too. I know I've seen gym bags at street markets.

cool thanks!