Pack as much as a week ahead in lightweight luggage or in a box. Some shippers offer special luggage bags or boxes. If you are shipping sports equipment such as golf clubs, skis, or bicycles, they must be in airline-safe containers. Make sure identification information is inside and outside of the bag.
Weigh and measure the luggage to determine shipping costs. Weigh the packed bag using a regular bathroom scale or digital hand-held luggage scales are available for about $20. Measure the height, width and length of the bag.
Get specific information for the luggage destination, including the exact address and a telephone number. If you are shipping to a hotel or cruise port, contact your travel agent or cruise operator to determine luggage destination details and handling fees.
Be sure to contact your destination about luggage being shipped there. It's best to have the bags there the day before you arrive. Verify that your bag will be kept in a secure location until you retrieve it.
You can ship to a residence, which for some couriers may cost more, or to a local retail outlet for the courier, which may cost less.
Choose the courier to use. A list of luggage shipping services can be found at seatguru.com. All of the regular package couriers -- FedEx, UPS, DHL and USPS -- will send your luggage to any destination. There are also specialty luggage shipping services such as luggageahead.com . When selecting couriers, remember some companies do not deliver on weekends or holidays.
Calculate shipping charges. Most shipping couriers offer online calculators to estimate shipping charges. Log in and enter the luggage weight, size, and pickup and destination locations.
In general, the faster you want the bag to be delivered, the more expensive the shipping charges. The cheapest rates are charged for seven-day delivery. Heavier bags cost more and, depending on the service you choose, there may be extra charges to pick up or deliver the bags to a residence.
Optional extra fee services include insurance and weekend deliveries.
Schedule shipment either online, by phone or in person. Most couriers charge your credit card the quoted amount, but the transaction may not be complete for other shippers until the bag is actually shipped.
Read all the terms and agreements for the transaction. Print the shipping label, put it on the bag and give the bag to the courier. Keep the shipping receipt, tracking information and courier phone numbers with you. Most offer online baggage tracking systems.
Retrieve the bag at the destination. Verify the tracking and luggage tags to make sure it is yours. Assess the condition of the luggage and the contents for insurance purposes.
