Shipping from the UK

[JFH 12,190]

How much stuff is everyone taking with them? Can anyone recommend a cheap way to ship as much as possible from the UK? I have no idea of the costs of these things and the cost will determine how much I have to convince myself to part with stuff and what is worth taking. I've already started going through stuff.

One drawer at a time....

[trudi 1,317]

Sorry i'm only taking what i can fit in suitcases and i'm trying to keep that to 2.

We decided it was not financially viable to ship my furniture and as he has a house already we will just buy new furniture to make it 'ours'.

the only thing I am shipping is my dog and he is costing 3 times my flight!

It is really hard deciding what you can't bear to part with though

[crazyworld 54]

We have started looking in to this too. The places I have found from this forum want dimensions and weight before they quote you a price. So my fiance is packing up what she want to take with her and then we will get some pricing. Most of her stuff is here already due to her visits as she bring 2 suit cases full each time and brings them back empty.

[gavw72 23]

I'm using SevenSeas Worldwide. They costed out quite reasonable for what I'm taking (2 boxes of personal items, ornaments, photos, books, DVDs/CDs, clothes & a 27" iMac). Online quote page gives an instant cost door to door.

Mine are going by air, 16-20 days (actually cheaper than sea when the port charges were added in the US). They supply boxes, bubble wrap, a pen, tape & all the customs paperwork, inventory paperwork, etc. I booked mine Monday and the boxes arrived this morning - I then book a collection online when I'm ready for them to go.

http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com

[JFH 12,190]

I'm using SevenSeas Worldwide. They costed out quite reasonable for what I'm taking (2 boxes of personal items, ornaments, photos, books, DVDs/CDs, clothes & a 27" iMac). Online quote page gives an instant cost door to door.

Mine are going by air, 16-20 days (actually cheaper than sea when the port charges were added in the US). They supply boxes, bubble wrap, a pen, tape & all the customs paperwork, inventory paperwork, etc. I booked mine Monday and the boxes arrived this morning - I then book a collection online when I'm ready for them to go.

http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com

Sounds great! Thanks for the info and I'll have a look at their site.

Currently my husband doesn't have his own place so there is nowhere for me to leave a large amount of things when I go each time (otherwise I would definitely do the "take 2 suitcases, come back with nothing" routine).

But it is so hard to decide what not to take. Definitely not taking furniture. I'm not taking household linens except a new Union Jack tea towel from Primark! I've been looking at my cushions and rugs and trying to mentally separate myself from them. But my books! I have over 400. I can't leave them behind. I just can't.

[Boiler 45,467]

Looked it up because I still have hundreds of books, seems like GBP90 for 2 cu ft...

Medium sized suitcase?

[DJ6372 111]

I spent a year of taking 2 suitcases, bring pack a pair of socks

I also shipped stuff through the mail, books and CD's, I used parcel2go, they get cheap rates and were very reliable

[JFH 12,190]

I had thought about mail too, especially these online parcel companies like parcel2go.

I'll check out their prices. It doesn't have to be express mail.

[oscillate.wildly 1]

I started this process about a month ago and I am still going through things. I hang onto stuff and it's been really hard. I have a lot of sentimental things from my childhood and young adult life seeing bands and travelling.

My main problem is a large dinner set which I have collected (a Portmeirion bird one which is hard to get in the US) and my record deck and massive vinyl collection. I'm not sure what to do with the vinyl... it's so heavy, but I just can't let it go. The record deck is a vintage one, high quality and also sentimental to me, but I am considering selling it and purchasing a new one when I get to the US.

I am also in the position of not having anywhere to store things in the US! My plan is to package things up and make a big list of what's what and where it is so that when family come over then can bring items and I can also take suitcases back and forth

[DJ6372 111]

I took the decision to leave my Vinyl behind, thought I would hate it, but nope not at all

Its an ideal time to clear out, I had so much sentimental stuff it was scary!

You'll manage without it

I admit I brought 1 LP with me, my orange vinyl signed Killing Joke album lol

Don't bother bringing electrical stuff, sell it on EBay and buy new, electronics are sooooooooooo cheap now

Edited January 15, 2016 by DJ6372

[AMZJ 61]

I took 2 big suitecases and 2 hand luggage full of things over at Christmas. I'm also planning on sending 3 25kg, boxes by a shipping company which is costing about £300. I'm going to send books, dvds and my little statue things over in that. Then SO is taking a suitecase back for me when he visits. I am worried I won't fit it all in.. I had wanted to do another trip in April but we just can't afford to and I might have my medical/interview around that time anyway. So If I have anything important to take with me, then it'll have to stay with my aunt until I can ship it over.

[oscillate.wildly 1]

If only they had invented the teleport machine by now and all of our problems would be over! No more missing each other or leaving our stuff behind, ha! And no more of those AA flights across the ocean with no movies >