Shipments to Germany??
 

Hello,

My son is looking to move from the US to Germany this fall. Can anyone comment on the costs/methods of shipping boxes to Germany, i.e.; air freight, freight consolidators, surface, etc...? I don't believe he's transferring his entire household contents. These would be more like personal belongings, clothes, small electronics, etc...

Thanks

Hello, I work for a German freight company I'm the USA
 

I suggest as follow. If he is not bringing enough, and can carry it, might as well checked it as luggage, and insure it. If a lot, then look for a local international freight company. They can assist you with packaging, shipping, customs, and delivery to his foreign address. Cost is variable, depending on weight, and there will be accessorial charges in Germany. It is cheaper to send it by ocean, but it will take time. Transit time from USA to Germany can take at least 2 weeks.

The best way is to book it as air cargo (unaccompanied baggage).

Hi,

I might be point out the obvious, bur given the prices of many small electronics plus the potential for not working in Germany (other plug & 110V vs. 220V) I would reconsider this one.

Small electronics items aren't generally a problem. Laptops, mobile phone chargers etc etc are generally designed to work on anything between 100 and 240V (the label will tell you). Plugs aren't a problem either - adaptors are easy to come by, and if you have multiple items you just get a multi-way socket and put a European plug or plug adaptor at the end.

It depends on how much stuff you are sending and how often you will ship things.

Look into TNT. They have much better rates than UPS/FedEx/DHL and better than the USPS for heavy things. They can have it there in 2-3 days.