Mailing Items from London to the States

http://www.excess-baggage.com/ They have stores in most all the major train stations in London. MBE also has locations in London: http://www.mbe.co.uk/pack_ship/ups.aspx

We have often picked up bubble wrap and tape at the post offices in the UK. Even got a mailing tube once when I bought a poster (didn't mail it, but wanted to protect it. )

I've used Mailboxes Etc quite a bit and they do a great job. But keep in mind, it can get expensive very quickly. If I ship a box with some books and papers and gifts, it costs me about $200-300. The post office will be cheaper and pretty reliable from the UK. Paying an extra bag fee to the airlines is often the cheapest route, if you can carry the items around with you.

Oh my that is indeed expensive. Is the post office significantly cheaper? Thanks to all who have replied!

Have a look for yourself - their rates are at http://www.royalmail.com/price-finder . Where's it going to, how heavy, how big, how fast, what insurance, push a button - BINGO!

I'll be shipping gifts for my family from the Olympics. I can't risk checking a bag going home as I have two connections...so I'm limited to what I can carry-on. The package will likely have t-shirts and other trinkets, nothing too heavy I imagine.

Jennifer, I'm not clear why two connections would be a concern for checking a bag. Plenty of people with multiple connections check bags with no issues. Is there something unique about your situation?

Well, the last two international flights I have had my luggage was lost for at minimum of two days. To add to that the bag and contents were damaged or destroyed. I prefer this go around to carry-on. Plus, it's a buddy pass so I am not 100% sure I will be headed to the same place my bags are.

Well you've certainly been unlucky with checked baggage. I've had bags delayed a few days but never destroyed. The only other thing I can suggest is buying from a shop that will ship for you. Sometimes when the shop does the shipping, they can deduct the VAT upfront and this offsets the shipping costs. Usually to deduct the VAT your purchase needs to be over a certain amount.

Laura, good to know, thanks!

I think the Royal Mail option will be very expensive for what you want to send. I recently sent a very light package (a watercolour and a couple of pens in a small cardboard tube) and that cost about $7. Took a while to get there too.

Maggie, If royal mail is expensive too what agency did you mail your items with for $7? Thanks!

Jennifer, did you follow my link above for the Royal Mail prices?

Nigel, I did but I had a hard time (don't make fun of me please) converting from our backwards measurement and weight system to yours. I'll give it another go when I can convert more efficiently. I do think Royal Mail is cheaper than mail box etc. so that's likely who I'll go with regardless. Btw Nigel you're a rockstar on this forum and you're always so helpful in many posts. Thank you!

Jennifer: you can convert measurements quickly on Google. For instance, type in "5 feet in meters" and right at the top of the resulting page, you get the conversion (1.524, since I know you were all dying of curiosity).

The cost range I quoted using Mailboxes Etc. was definitely for heavier boxes with books and papers in it. So t-shirts and trinkets will be far cheaper and even more so with the Royal Mail. Still, expect close to $100 if it's a sizable box.

That was Royal Mail Jennifer. I was hoping to show just how expensive it is.
Sorry that wasn't clear!

Thanks for all the feedback! Leaving in 6 days, can't wait!