Cheapest way to ship luggage internationally: Tips for every type of move
The cheapest way to ship luggage internationally depends on what you are moving, how far it is going and how soon you need it. A student with three boxes, a family with a house full of belongings and a retiree heading to the sun all have different answers. This guide compares airline excess, air freight, sea freight and Groupage, then gives you practical advice for each type of move, so you can choose the lowest cost option that still gets your things there on time.
| from £180 one suitcase by sea |
from £320 one suitcase by air |
£60 to £120 airline excess per bag, per leg |
around £550 1 cubic metre by sea |
Checked October 2026. All prices are indicative “from” figures for door to door shipping and are confirmed when you book. Airline fees change often, so check your airline’s current charges before you compare.
Your options compared
There are four main ways to send luggage abroad. The cheapest per kilogram is almost always sea freight, but only if you have time to wait.
| Option | Typical cost | Transit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline excess baggage | £60 to £120 per bag, per leg; a 23kg case at the desk can pass £400 on long haul | Arrives with you | One extra bag you need on arrival |
| Air freight | From around £320 for a suitcase | 3 to 10 days door to door | Small, urgent shipments |
| Sea freight | From around £180 for a suitcase, from around £290 for three to five boxes | 2 to 12 weeks by destination | Most luggage when you can plan ahead |
| Groupage | Priced by volume; small flat contents from around £550 | Similar to sea freight | From around 1 cubic metre up to part of a household |
| FCL (full container load) | Quoted per move | Similar to sea freight | A whole household |
Sea freight for luggage and boxes usually travels by Groupage, where your goods share container space with other customers’ consignments, so you pay only for the space you use. Freight is priced by volume, door to door, and fixed when you book, so packing tightly saves money.
| Pros of shipping instead of paying excess | Cons |
|---|---|
| Usually much cheaper for two or more bags | Sea freight needs weeks of notice |
| No per bag weight limit, only around 30kg per box | Your things arrive after you |
| Collection and delivery to your door | Customs paperwork is needed |
| Travel light on the day | Restricted items cannot be shipped |
Students
Students usually ship between one suitcase and five boxes. Sea freight from around £180 for a suitcase is the lowest cost option if you book early: 8 to 12 weeks ahead for Australia and New Zealand, and 4 to 8 weeks for Asia or North America. Collection is available from halls, student flats and family homes, and the service runs in reverse for your return.
See our student shipping page and our guide to excess baggage for students.
Professionals relocating for work
If you are moving for a new job, time matters as much as cost. A popular approach is to send a suitcase of work clothes by air freight, from around £320, and ship the rest by sea so it arrives as you settle in. Ask your employer whether a relocation allowance covers shipping, and get a written quote they can approve.
Check your work visa with the official source for your destination, such as USCIS and the U.S. Department of State for the USA, IRCC for Canada or Home Affairs for Australia.
This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Our luggage shipping to the USA page and guide to moving to Canada cover the details.
Families
Families often have more than a few boxes. Once you are past around 1 cubic metre, Groupage sea freight usually beats any baggage option on price. For a full home, an FCL container may be better value. Plan around school start dates, and pack a separate air freight box with children’s essentials if your sea shipment will arrive after you.
| Family move size | Approximate volume | Usual cheapest option |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and toys only | 0.5 to 1 cubic metre | Sea freight boxes |
| Partly furnished flat | 2 to 10 cubic metres | Groupage |
| Full family home | Full container | FCL |
For larger moves, see international removals.
Retirees
Retirees often have more flexibility on timing, which makes sea freight the natural choice. You can book well ahead and pick a sailing that suits you. Think about what you really need: furniture with sentimental value may be worth shipping, while large white goods are often cheaper to replace, and voltages and plugs differ abroad.
Visa rules for retiring abroad vary widely by country, so check the official government source for your destination before you plan.
This is general guidance and not legal advice.
If you are moving money as well as belongings, Halo Financial can help with currency transfers. This is general information and not financial advice.
People returning to the UK
If you are moving home to the UK after living abroad, the service runs in reverse through partner agents overseas. You may be able to bring your used belongings in without paying import duty or VAT under Transfer of Residence relief. According to GOV.UK, you usually need to have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months, have owned and used your goods for at least six months, apply using a ToR1 form before your goods arrive, and import them within 12 months of moving back.
This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Hidden costs to check before you choose
The headline price is only part of the picture. When you compare options, check what is included so you are comparing like for like.
- Collection and delivery. A door to door price includes both. Port to port or airport to airport prices leave you to arrange the rest.
- Destination charges. Some quotes leave out port handling or customs clearance at the other end.
- Duty and taxes. Used personal belongings are often exempt, but new items may be taxed. Check the destination’s official customs source.
- Storage. If you cannot accept delivery on arrival, storage charges can build up quickly.
- Insurance. Transit cover is usually optional, so check the cost and what it covers.
- Return flights. Airline excess is charged per leg, so a return trip doubles the cost.
A fixed door to door quote avoids most of these surprises, which is why it is often cheaper overall even when the headline price looks higher.
Fly with what you need for the first week, ship the rest by sea, and you will almost always pay less.
Money saving tips for every type of move
- Book sea freight early. Late bookings push you towards air freight or airline excess.
- Never pay excess at the airport desk. Prepay online or ship instead.
- Pack tightly, because you pay for volume.
- Use the right box size: small for books, medium for clothes, large for duvets.
- Vacuum pack soft items.
- Sell or donate bulky items that are cheap to replace.
- Make a full inventory to avoid customs delays and storage costs.
- Combine shipments with family members moving to the same address.
- Get a quote from an inventory or free video survey before you decide.
- Compare the full door to door price, including collection and delivery.
Typical costs at a glance
| What you are sending | Airline excess | Air freight from | Sea freight from |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 23kg suitcase | £60 to £120 per leg, more at the desk | around £320 | around £180 |
| Three to five boxes | Several bags, often several hundred pounds | Quoted on request | around £290 |
| Small flat contents, around 1 cubic metre | Not practical | Quoted on request | around £550 |
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the cheapest way to ship luggage internationally?
Sea freight is usually the cheapest, from around £180 for a suitcase door to door, if you can wait several weeks.
2. Is it cheaper to ship luggage or pay excess baggage?
For one bag, airline excess can be competitive. For two or more bags, shipping is usually cheaper.
3. What is Groupage?
Groupage is sea freight where your goods share container space with other consignments, so you pay only for the space you use.
4. When should I use air freight?
Use air freight for small, urgent shipments. It takes around 3 to 10 days door to door.
5. How long does sea freight take?
Around 2 to 4 weeks to Europe and up to 8 to 12 weeks to Australia and New Zealand.
6. What is the cheapest option for a family move?
For more than around 1 cubic metre, Groupage is usually cheapest. A full home may suit an FCL container.
7. Can I ship luggage back to the UK?
Yes. The service runs in reverse, and you may qualify for Transfer of Residence relief. Check GOV.UK.
8. How heavy can each box be?
Keep each box to around 30kg or less.
9. Do I need to pack my own boxes?
You can pack yourself using supplied double walled boxes and packing materials.
10. How do I get a quote?
Send an inventory or book a free video survey through the Anglo Pacific app for a quote the same working day.
Find the cheapest way to ship your luggage
Compare options on our baggage shipping and excess baggage pages, see shipping boxes, or get a quote today. You can also call 020 8965 1234.
