Excess baggage for students: Costs, box sizes and your options
Your airline allowance was never designed for a full academic year. Between clothes for every season, bedding, textbooks, a laptop and a few comforts from home, most students run out of space long before they run out of things to pack. This guide walks you through every option for your excess baggage, what each one costs, how long it takes and the customs rules you need to know for the most popular study destinations.
| from £180 one suitcase by sea |
from £320 one suitcase by air |
up to 30kg per shipping box |
3 to 10 days air freight door to door |
Checked October 2026. All prices are indicative “from” figures for door to door shipping and are confirmed when you book. Airline fees and customs rules change often, so check the latest position before you travel.
What counts as excess baggage for a student?
Excess baggage is anything that will not fit inside your airline allowance. For most long haul economy tickets that means one or two checked bags of around 23kg each, plus a cabin bag that is often limited to around 7kg. Anything beyond that either goes on the plane at a premium or travels separately as unaccompanied baggage.
For students, excess baggage usually falls into three groups:
- Everyday essentials such as clothes, shoes, bedding and towels.
- Study kit such as textbooks, notes, stationery and specialist equipment for your course.
- Comfort items such as photos, a favourite duvet, sports gear or a musical instrument.
The more of your year you can ship ahead, the lighter and cheaper your flight becomes.
Your three options compared
You have three realistic ways to move the things that will not fit in your suitcase. The right choice depends on how much you are sending, how soon you need it and your budget.
| Option | Typical cost | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline excess bag | £60 to £120 per extra bag, per leg, and higher at the airport desk | Arrives with you | One extra bag you need on day one |
| Air freight | From around £320 for a suitcase, door to door | 3 to 10 days | Urgent items or a short lead time |
| Sea freight | From around £180 for a suitcase, from around £290 for three to five boxes | 2 to 12 weeks depending on destination | Most of your belongings, booked early |
Airline excess fees look simple, but they are charged per bag and per flight, and a 23kg case paid for at the check-in desk can pass £400 on some long haul routes. Once you are sending two or more bags, shipping almost always works out cheaper. Freight is charged by the size of your shipment rather than by the kilogram, so packing tightly saves you money.
Box sizes and what to pack in each
Choosing the right box helps you avoid paying to ship empty space. These are the standard sizes used for shipping boxes:
| Box | Approximate size | Approximate volume | Ideal contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 18 x 18 x 18 inches | 0.096 cubic metres | Books, notes, kitchenware and anything dense or fragile |
| Medium | 18 x 18 x 24 inches | 0.127 cubic metres | Clothes, shoes, towels and bed linen |
| Large | 22 x 22 x 24 inches | 0.190 cubic metres | Duvets, pillows, soft toys and light, bulky items |
Keep each box to a maximum of around 30kg. Heavier boxes are hard to handle and more likely to split in transit. As a guide, three to five boxes make up around half a cubic metre, which is enough for most first year students.
How much do students usually ship?
| Shipment | Approximate volume | Sea freight from | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| One suitcase | Up to 23kg | around £180 | A top up for clothes or books |
| Three to five boxes | around 0.5 cubic metres | around £290 | A full first year move |
| Small flat contents | around 1 cubic metre | around £550 | Postgraduates or shared flats |
Transit times by destination
Build your shipping date around the start of term. Sea freight is the cheapest option, but it needs the most notice.
| Destination | Sea freight | Air freight | Book sea freight by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 2 to 4 weeks | 3 to 5 days | 2 to 4 weeks before term |
| Asia and the Middle East | 4 to 8 weeks | 5 to 10 days | 4 to 8 weeks before term |
| USA and Canada | 5 to 9 weeks | 5 to 10 days | 6 to 10 weeks before term |
| Australia and New Zealand | 8 to 12 weeks | 7 to 10 days | 8 to 12 weeks before term |
If term starts in September, aim to book sea freight to Australia or New Zealand by early June. Air freight can usually be booked two to three weeks before you fly.
Customs rules for popular study destinations
Every country treats unaccompanied baggage slightly differently. Used personal belongings are often allowed in without duty, but you will need the right paperwork and you must declare restricted items. Your shipping provider prepares the customs documents with you, and the table below gives you a starting point.
| Destination | What to know | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Complete an Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement. Biosecurity is strict: no food, seeds, soil or plant material, and used boots and sports kit must be spotless. | Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| New Zealand | An unaccompanied baggage declaration is required. Clean all used footwear, camping and sports gear before packing. | New Zealand Customs Service and the Ministry for Primary Industries |
| Canada | List the goods that will follow you on your arrival declaration so they can be cleared later. | Canada Border Services Agency |
| USA | Unaccompanied personal effects are declared on a customs form when they arrive. Keep receipts for new items. | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
| Singapore | E-cigarettes and vapes are prohibited. Duty and GST can apply to some new items. | Singapore Customs |
| UAE (Dubai) | A copy of your passport and visa is usually required. Some medicines need approval before import. | Dubai Customs |
| India | Unaccompanied baggage usually needs to arrive within a set window around your own arrival date. | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs |
These rules are a general guide and not legal advice. Always check the official government source for your destination before you pack, as requirements can change at short notice.
Pros and cons of shipping your excess baggage
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Far cheaper than airline excess fees for two or more bags | Sea freight needs several weeks of notice |
| No weight limit per bag, only per box | You need someone to receive the delivery if you are not there yet |
| Collection from your home or university halls | Restricted items cannot be shipped |
| Travel light and stress free on the day you fly | Customs paperwork must be completed accurately |
Ship the bulk of your year by sea, fly with the essentials, and keep your budget for the things that matter once you arrive.
Ten tips to cut the cost of your excess baggage
- Book sea freight early. It is the cheapest way to move most of your belongings.
- Use double walled boxes. Supermarket boxes are rarely strong enough for international shipping.
- Fill every gap so items cannot move, and pack heavy items at the bottom.
- Vacuum pack bedding and winter clothes to save volume.
- Keep an inventory of each box. You will need it for customs.
- Label every box with your name, delivery address and phone number.
- Check your accommodation will accept a delivery in your name before term starts.
- Clean outdoor and sports kit thoroughly if you are heading to Australia or New Zealand.
- Fly with your laptop, documents, medication and a few days of clothes.
- Book the return leg at the end of your course, so you are not paying excess fees on the way home.
For a full checklist of what to send, read our guide to what students should and should not ship.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the cheapest way for students to send excess baggage?
Sea freight is usually the cheapest option, from around £180 for a suitcase door to door. It takes longer than air freight, so book it well before term starts.
2. Is shipping cheaper than paying airline excess baggage fees?
For one extra bag, an airline fee can be competitive. Once you are sending two or more bags, or paying at the airport desk, shipping usually costs less and has no per bag weight limit.
3. How much can I put in one box?
Keep each box to around 30kg or less. Heavier boxes are harder to handle and more likely to be damaged.
4. Can my belongings be collected from university halls?
Yes. Collection is available from any UK address, including halls, student flats and family homes.
5. How long does sea freight take for students?
Sea freight takes around 2 to 4 weeks within Europe and up to 8 to 12 weeks to Australia and New Zealand.
6. How long does air freight take?
Air freight usually arrives within 3 to 10 days door to door, depending on your destination.
7. Do I pay customs duty on my student belongings?
Used personal belongings are often allowed in without duty, but it depends on your destination and your visa. Check the official customs website for your destination.
8. What can I not ship?
Most countries prohibit food, plants, seeds, weapons and certain medicines. Some destinations also restrict alcohol, e-cigarettes and vapes.
9. Can I ship my belongings home after my course?
Yes. The same service runs in reverse, so you can send your things home at the end of term or after graduation.
10. How do I get a quote?
Send an inventory of what you want to ship, or book a free video survey through the Anglo Pacific app, and you will receive a quote the same working day.
Ready to ship your excess baggage?
Get a fixed quote for your student shipping today, or explore our full excess baggage shipping service. Moving to a specific destination? See baggage shipping to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
