Couriering laptop?
Jan 9, 2019 | 10:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SEMM; AA,DL, Hyatt and Starwood. Ex-status:SQ PPS,CSA,Hilton,AA,UA
Posts: 752
Couriering laptop?
My niece had a nice visit with us. And left her laptop behind rushing to the airport last night on her way back to Prague.
Anyone with experience what couriers offer good mix of price and service level shipping something this size to Europe? Thinks to do/not do to avoid customs hassle?
So far quick online quotes for delivery sometime next week range from $160 (Canada Post Priority worldwide) to over $340 (Purolator). Maybe others who have been in same/similar boat have tricks'n'tips....
[Realize this is not AC-specific; happy to move it elsewhere, but it's not Canada as a destination, and in general Travel forums will get swamped by US participants....so hoping our friendly AC/AP community can help!]
Anyone with experience what couriers offer good mix of price and service level shipping something this size to Europe? Thinks to do/not do to avoid customs hassle?
So far quick online quotes for delivery sometime next week range from $160 (Canada Post Priority worldwide) to over $340 (Purolator). Maybe others who have been in same/similar boat have tricks'n'tips....
[Realize this is not AC-specific; happy to move it elsewhere, but it's not Canada as a destination, and in general Travel forums will get swamped by US participants....so hoping our friendly AC/AP community can help!]
Jan 9, 2019 | 10:15 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
Fedex will likely handle this for CAD 70 or so (could be a lot more if it is heavy or valuable). Bear in mind that if it has a lithium battery, you may need to toss it and that you will also likely need to provide a clear explanation of the fact that the laptop belongs to your niece and was not purchased in Canada on this trip. May need to translate that into Czech for easy reading on arrival. Finally, given security screenings, you should back up the hard drive before shipping and hang onto the backup on a flash drive or somesuch until the laptop arrives and your niece verifies that all is in order.
Last edited by Often1; Jan 9, 2019 at 10:25 am
Jan 9, 2019 | 10:26 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 57,065
As this is not Air Canada or Aeroplan related and given it's concerning a laptop have relocated the thread to the "Travel Technology" forum for further discussion.
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
Jan 9, 2019 | 10:38 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SEMM; AA,DL, Hyatt and Starwood. Ex-status:SQ PPS,CSA,Hilton,AA,UA
Posts: 752
I see this has been moved; noting this is shipping from Canada to the Czech Republic.
[MENTION=297911]Often1[/MENTION], thanks for sensitizing me to the battery issue. According to https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/m...-e.asp#1510298, seems with Canada Post at least we are fine for a battery installed in the laptop, but can't be packed alongside.
The advice on precautions is appreciated; we are actually running a backup and copying crucial files to the cloud as I am writing this.
I was hoping Fedex would be a choice, but instead of $70 they are over $250 apparently. (Canada Post priority is currently leading contender.)
[MENTION=297911]Often1[/MENTION], thanks for sensitizing me to the battery issue. According to https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/m...-e.asp#1510298, seems with Canada Post at least we are fine for a battery installed in the laptop, but can't be packed alongside.
The advice on precautions is appreciated; we are actually running a backup and copying crucial files to the cloud as I am writing this.
I was hoping Fedex would be a choice, but instead of $70 they are over $250 apparently. (Canada Post priority is currently leading contender.)
Jan 9, 2019 | 4:40 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 5,083
We had a laptop shipped from US to EU for approx 60 usd. If battery under certain capacity, it's likely fine, though make sure you research it and make all disclosures regarding the battery.
My country specifically are big sticklers on customs, and people who have had their old, long-term, legitimately personal use electronics shipped to them have had duties levied on it.
Of course they appeal it successfully most of the time...the point is the recipient should be prepared to go through that, and if you can access document like dated purchase receipts with the recipient name to put in package that could help
My country specifically are big sticklers on customs, and people who have had their old, long-term, legitimately personal use electronics shipped to them have had duties levied on it.
Of course they appeal it successfully most of the time...the point is the recipient should be prepared to go through that, and if you can access document like dated purchase receipts with the recipient name to put in package that could help
Jan 10, 2019 | 1:56 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Marriott Titanium, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,531
In the US, USPS (ie, the post office) is generally the best best for this type of thing. Fedex/UPS/etc will all do it as well, but in my experience, USPS is cheaper. You can do all of the paperwork via their website.
I'm guessing you're shipping from Canada, so I'd start with CanadaPost as I'd guess they have similar functionality.
For a (relatively) low value, used item there should be no duty payable.
I'm guessing you're shipping from Canada, so I'd start with CanadaPost as I'd guess they have similar functionality.
For a (relatively) low value, used item there should be no duty payable.
Jan 10, 2019 | 3:00 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,678
CanadaPost Priority 2-3 day or Xpresspost 5-day looks to be best.
If you're close to a US border, USPS from my home to Prague is US$94 (C$124) for 3-5 days, US$75 (C$99) for 6-10 days - probably not worth the effort.
If you're close to a US border, USPS from my home to Prague is US$94 (C$124) for 3-5 days, US$75 (C$99) for 6-10 days - probably not worth the effort.
Last edited by CPRich; Jan 10, 2019 at 3:05 pm
Jan 15, 2019 | 9:26 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: RDU
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 334
Aside from the cost of shipping, as this belongs to a relative whom I presume you care for, it would be a very nice gesture to buy an external HDD and back her laptop up before you ship it, just in case it disappears in transit. That way, even if it does get lost permanently, you'll be able to provide her a backup of her data.