Few moments are more frustrating during travel than when the baggage carousel stops and you realize your bag didn’t make it. While mobile tracking helps airlines ensure your checked luggage arrives at your destination safely and on time, it is a far-from-perfect system. In 2023, 6.9 bags were mishandled per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA, an IT provider for the air transport industry. That’s about 7.6 out of every 1,000 passengers who have mishandled bags (“mishandled” meaning delayed, damaged, lost, or stolen). And while some airlines will compensate passengers with miles if their bags are delayed (or reimburse them for travel essentials while they wait for their bag’s return), the figure is high enough that some travelers might wonder if there’s another—and better—option.
Enter: luggage shipping services.
In recent years, a number of baggage shipping companies have appeared. They offer a potentially attractive alternative to checked bags, especially for those who don’t relish the hassle of lugging bags through busy airports. Some even cost less than baggage fees for checked bags on airlines, in particular if you’re shipping multiple bags. While most U.S.-based airlines charge between $30 and $45 for your first bag, the prices increase significantly with additional pieces of luggage. For example, on United, the first bag per customer is $35, then $45 for a second, $150 for a third, and beyond. Special items, such as bikes, skis, and golf clubs, are often subject to oversize luggage surcharges. Shipping companies, however, offer the same price per bag, no matter how many you send.
Luggage shipping companies also offer additional services like at-home pickup and drop-off, in addition to shipping bulkier items like golf clubs, ski equipment, or bicycles. Here are 11 useful luggage shipping services, in alphabetical order.
1. Luggage Forward: the company that focuses on cruise ships
Cost: $99 for a 25 lb. bag; $134 for a 50 lb. bag; $154 for a 75 lb. bag. Also, $114 for standard skis or snowboards; $124 for a small golf bag; $219 for a bicycle case for five business days of shipping.
Boston-based Luggage Forward ships luggage domestically and in more than 200 countries worldwide. But it specializes in shipping to cruise ships—meaning the bag will be in the passenger’s stateroom on embarkation. Luggage Forward’s prices include doorstep pickup and delivery, 24-hour phone support, insurance that covers lost and damaged items, shipping labels that are mailed to clients, and an on-time delivery guarantee that promises a full refund and up to $500 in additional expense reimbursement if the bags don’t make it by the quoted date.
2. Luggage Free: the white-glove company that does it all
Cost: Prices vary depending on the services selected. Some examples include $95 for a 50 lb. bag shipped from New York City to Los Angeles, $265 for a bag shipped from the USA to Hong Kong, $564 for a bag shipped from the USA to South Africa.
If you’re looking for white-glove service and are willing to pay a premium for it, New York City–based Luggage Free is a good option. All you do is pack your bag, and the service will take care of pickup and drop-off, shipping labels, and customs forms.
Luggage Free ships between 150 countries and has guaranteed on-time delivery. If, for some reason, your bag doesn’t make it on the designated day, the company will waive the fee (up to $500). There’s also a complimentary insurance policy on every shipment, up to $500 for loss or damage.
3. Luggage To Ship: the low-cost company that also stores luggage
Cost: Prices start at roughly $30 and increase based on how far your luggage will be traveling and the overall weight.
This New York City–based, budget-friendly service ships around the world. The company is able to ship everything from suitcases to boxes to sporting equipment. What makes Luggage To Ship unique is that it offers free storage: It will hang onto any item for up to six months. After six months, the cost is $10 per package, per month. The service is convenient for those who don’t have extra space around their home for big items like ski gear or who would like to settle into a new location before all their belongings arrive.
4. LugLess: the company that scales cost based on timing
Cost: Prices start as low as $15 but increase based on bag size and weight, distance traveled, and optional extras.
This luggage shipping service, based in Boston, offers some rates that are comparable to what the airlines charge for checked bags if travelers are willing to send their suitcases off five or six days in advance of their departure and receive them five or six days after their return.
Prices for LugLess are calculated based on the size of the bag, how far it’s going, and how fast you want it. With that in mind, sending one 50 lb. bag using the company’s slowest service costs between $15 and $50 (within the continental United States). The quicker you want the bags sent and the more service you want with those bags—such as optional doorstep pickup and drop-off (versus dropping the luggage off at a UPS location), insurance, customer support, and refundability—the more the price rises. Note that LugLess doesn’t offer international shipping.
5. My Baggage: the company that specializes in customs
Cost: Prices start at £30 for suitcases up to 20 kg (44 lb.) and increase based on additional weight, distance traveling, and how quickly you need packages to arrive.
If you’re moving abroad, My Baggage, a U.K.-based company, makes shipping your boxes and suitcases easy. Once you start your order, you’ll be prompted to answer a handful of questions about the items you’re sending, and My Baggage will direct you to the appropriate customs forms for that country. After you’ve filled out the forms, My Baggage will submit them on your behalf.
6. SendMyBag: the company that focuses on travel in Europe
Cost: Prices are the cheapest within Europe, starting at $43, for bags up to 30 kg (66 lb.). From the United States to Europe, expect prices to begin at $173, depending on the destination.
SendMyBag, a U.K.-based shipping service, is a solid choice for those traveling within Europe. In many cases, its rates are cheaper than airlines. (Shipping from the United Kingdom to Spain, for example, is US$43, for a 20 kg—or 44 lb.—bag).
The company is also a good option for those moving to a new country, either long-term or to work abroad, as SendMyBag provides users with all the information and forms they need for the bags to breeze through customs. Beyond suitcases, SendMyBag can also send boxes, bicycles, ski bags, and golf bags.
Travelers just need to print their labels and schedule a day for pickup, either from their home, dorm, or office. From there, SendMyBag collects the bags and gets them to the other address. Most bags are delivered within four or five business days, and for an additional fee you can use “Express” shipping, with bags arriving in two to three working days.
7. Ship&Play: the company that will ship most anything
Cost: Prices start at $60 and vary from there based on the weight and size of your shipment, how far it will be traveling, and how quickly you need it to be delivered.
Ship&Play, a Florida-based company, makes it easy to ship a wide array of boxes and bags, including suitcases, duffles, golf bags, ski or snowboarding bags (including boot bags), boxes, trunks, and bikes. It will send you your shipping label in an email, which you’ll just need to affix your shipment. Then, on the scheduled day, drivers will pick up the items at your hotel, house, or cruise ship and whisk them to your next stop. The company services 180 countries and territories, and if your bag doesn’t arrive on time, you’ll get your money back.
8. ShipGo: the company that delivers to remote locations
Cost: Starts at $35 and may increase based on how far your luggage will be traveling and the overall weight.
ShipGo, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, will pick up bags from your home, business, or hotel and have them delivered to a destination of your choosing in more than 180 countries, including some fairly remote locales, like Fiji, Bangladesh, and Seychelles. Travelers can schedule the shipment date online and then attach the provided shipping labels. ShipGo offers an on-time delivery guarantee, free insurance that covers loss or damage on every shipment, and real-time tracking.
9–11. UPS, FedEx, and DHL: the usual suspects—and for good reason
Cost: $50–$75 for suitcases under 50 pounds; $100 for a 70 lb. bag, all with four-day ground shipping.
Of course, traditional shipping companies, like UPS, FedEx, and DHL, can get your bag to your destination, too. Just don’t expect the same amenities as boutique operators that specialize in sending luggage. You’ll still have to drop your suitcase (either as is or boxed) at one of the companies’ shipping centers or schedule a one-time pickup several days before you leave. At least you’ll receive a tracking number so you can follow your items along in their journey.
This article was originally published on August 8, 2023, and was updated on December 16, 2024.
