Pack suitcases with clothes, shoes and toiletries. Take a carry-on bag or suitcase for easy access to particular items during your flight. Count the number of suitcases that you plan to ship.
Review suitcase shipping options offered by the businesses that provide this service. Luggage Free and Luggage Forward specialize in shipping luggage overseas. These companies will pick up your luggage at your home and will pack it in a box or plastic wrap for you. Service charges will be billed to the traveler once the service has concluded. FedEx, UPS, DHL and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will ship your luggage as well. Suitcases shipped through these companies will need to be prepackaged prior to being picked up or dropped off. You can enter weight estimates online with FedEx, UPS, DHL and USPS to estimate cost. Service prices will depend on how quickly the suitcases need to arrive at their destination. Prices can be lower if suitcases are shipped four to five days in advance.
Contact the shipper that offers the best service options for shipping your suitcase. All companies offer online scheduling for pickup. Schedule pickups at least one day in advance of the anticipated shipping date.
Place your suitcase in a reasonably sized box and enclose with packing tape if required by the shipper. UPS offers a special suitcase box for customers. If placing suitcases in a used box, mark out any old barcodes, labels or logos on the box with a permanent black marker. Tape the box with clear shipping or mailing tape. Using the black marker, write your return address on the top left corner of the box. Write the address of the hotel or destination in the top center of the box.
Set suitcases or packages near the front door so they will be ready when the shipping company arrives to pick up packages. Some companies do not require you to be home when the packages are picked up. Set the packages in a safe location near your front door for collection. Do not leave packages unattended if you do not believe they will be safe left alone.
Collect suitcase packages at your destination.
