Has anyone ever shipped anything home?

[BecBennett]

After our Disney portion of the trip we want to send some stuff home, so we don't have to take it to Mexico and back with us - namely my wedding dress, silk bouquet, basically anything we no longer need.

Has anyone done this? How difficult is it and how expensive does it get? Is it just like going to aust post or is there more to it then that?

Tia

 

[AussieCaribou]

Hi Tia,

Postage back to Aus from the US is expensive. My mom jokes that her gifts to my daughter always cost double due to postage.

That said, we have sent stuff home (never my wedding dress!) and it was costly but we sent it the slow 'turtle' way. We got it in about 6 weeks and were happy not to have all of the clothing in our bags that we no longer needed.

If you are happy to have the wait for the stuff, then sending it via US post 3rd class is good (insure you dress!). Sending it via air is expensive.

We have looked into other options but the US post seems to be very competitively priced.

Hope this helps.

Have a great time!!!

~ AussieCaribou

 

[BecBennett]

Thanks,

I don't mind waiting, or even the price really - it's the convenience I'm after

BTW - my name's Bec - TIA = Thanks In Advance

 

[Sugarglider]

I always post stuff home so I don't have to carry it - until I get to the last Disney stop. I usually pick up a very cheap backpack or wheelybag as the resort hotel deal and then load it up with my souvenirs.
However postage through USPS has always been reliable and priced roughly the same as Aust Post. Just be prepared that they rarely let you use their tape, and they want the box packed out with bubble wrap. But you can get cute disney themed bags and boxes.
Oh and don't forget to leave extra time cause you have write out the customs forms - buying the box, packing the box, writing the forms, queuing for stamps all takes more time than you'd think.

Disney will also post but they use Fed Ex and that is expensive. Also Disney will not post anything food like - incl tea, instant coffee and pet treats. I've never managed to get them to agree to post anything. And when I've said "Australia" then all problems start as if they didn't realise you could post things to Australia. They still want a 5 numbered post code, and they want a phone number but their computer system can't deal with the length of an international phone number.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Bec - I'm assuming that you'll have a few friends and family travelling from Oz with you for your wedding. I'm also assuming that Mexico will be the honeymoon part and that no one (or very few of the family and friends) will be heading south with you.

Given that it is your wedding dress and silk bouquet, you might be better off asking one of your friends or family if they would be prepared to take it back with them. It may work out the same dollar wise in terms of extra bags/overweight charges compared to using UPS or USPS or FedEx - but at least you'll know that the stuff will be at home when you get back.

 

[BecBennett]

Yeah we are considering that too, but while our family members aren't coming to Mexico, they are heading off on their own adventures. My sister is going to Canada, my BIL's are going to NY, my cousins are going to Hawaii, my MIL is going to Vegas etc. So I don't really want to load them up with the stress, just cause I don't want it

Plus I have to buy some storage boxes to put items in for our ceremony and reception to be delivered to Francks, so our planner can set all our stuff up for us, so I figured I could then use those boxes to post stuff home,

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

Bec let me give you the benefit of some advice if it's not too late. We run a small importing business from the US and bring goods in all the time, so I can hopefully give you the benefit of some experience.

A parcel sent via Post from the US which weighed 23lbs (approx 10-11 odd kilos) came to $135USD and took about 10 days. Fed Ex and DHL worldwide quote was in excess of $400USD for same parcel albeit guaranteed delivery in 5 days. We get parcels of this size at least twice a month. I recently went over to Vegas on a buying trip and returned with Qantas and paid $105AUD for each excess bag of luggage which gave me up to 50lbs of weight. Therefore from a financial point of view, it is a no brainer.....bring as much as you can in your luggage, even if you pay excess luggage you are MILES in front. I know it's a pain in the backside dragging stuff around but financially it makes sense.

Hope this helps....and enjoy your trip and very best of luck.

 

[BecBennett]

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

I'm still up in the air about what I want to do. I just like the idea of sending stuff home, so I don't have to drag it around Mexico... Plus it would mean not only excess baggage from the states to home, it would mean excess baggage from Florida, to Mexico, and back again (which only allows 1 checked bag each anyway), then from Florida to LA and then home...

The more I think about it the more I just want to post it...