Parcel post overseas

liquoriceleglucy

Hi I avidly read MSE. Read post re parcel post overseas. So followed direction of shoe box  30cm/15/12cm under1kg.  Then .... no perfume ( Sml 30ml had to remove not allowed)  eventually it’s now well under 1kg to Australia. Post office/Royal Mail.  Quoted £9.95 BUT WILL TAKE 42Days!!!!  ie arrive end of January 2021!!!!  So how much air mail  post ? £19.92!!!! It now only had a Xmas bauble and some chocolate! Value not £19!!! So I check out MSE LINKS.... cheapest £36  varied providers up to £64!! What for a shoe box under1kg? Oh please where am I going wrong? 

p00hsticks

I'm afraid you need to be much quicker off the mark next year - the last Christmas posting dates for most overseas destinations for cheap delivery via sea is usually sometime in October - for Australia / New Zealand it was 5th October this year for letters via Royal Mail (international Economy) , and 23rd October for Parcels via ParcelForce (global economy). Leave it any later and you'll end up paying for air freight, which as you;ve discovered is considerably more expensive. 

MalMonroe

We have relatives in Oz and generally send them something from/via an online company who deliver there. Just have a look online. I've even sent flowers sometimes - not cheap but cheaper than any of the quotes you've been given just for postage.

As p00hsticks says, you really do have to be much quicker off the mark. When I lived in Oz myself years ago, prior to internet technology, we just sent cards back home because it was just too expensive to send any gifts. 

Oh, and ditch the shoebox, who told you to use that??? Jiffy bags all the way. Shoe boxes weigh heavy when going to Oz. Lightweight stuff - scarves and costume jewellery, maybe - not books as they also weigh a ton. You need to start thinking about this in about July! Truly, that's what we do. And check postal prices online and weigh things before you get to the PO to save yourself a heart attack when told of the cost.

MSE_ForumTeam5

Hi Forumites
After consideration, we've moved this thread to the Ebay, Auctions etc board - as this is where our resident experts on postage and parcels are likely to be found.

LadyDee

Auspost is notoriously slow too, so once your parcel arrives it could still face further delays.  I'd be happy to receive, for example, a gift card - that way all the value will be in the gift and not in the postage.  Maybe a Myer Gift Card?  They can be bought online.