Ship Goods Back Home Or Load As Baggage?

[micah323]

I plan to visit Chiang Mai in January for 6 weeks and then Bangkok for 2 weeks before heading back to the states. I plan on purchasing my Muay Thai equipment while I am there plus other stuff I find for presents for family back home.

I think I can fit it all in a large duffel bag weighing less than 35-40lbs.

Should I ship it home and pay the high FedEx rates or will I be okay trying to check it as baggage?

I will be flying United Airlines

Will customs give me any problems?

The equipment will be boxing gloves, head gear, thai pads, shin guards, etc.

[Vespa]

I plan to visit Chiang Mai in January for 6 weeks and then Bangkok for 2 weeks before heading back to the states. I plan on purchasing my Muay Thai equipment while I am there plus other stuff I find for presents for family back home.

I think I can fit it all in a large duffel bag weighing less than 35-40lbs.

Should I ship it home and pay the high FedEx rates or will I be okay trying to check it as baggage?

I will be flying United Airlines

Will customs give me any problems?

The equipment will be boxing gloves, head gear, thai pads, shin guards, etc.

At the fedEx rates for those weights you are much better off paying the $150. bucks for an extra suitcase at checkin time .

Mentioned items are not an issue at customs.

[qualtrough]

I plan to visit Chiang Mai in January for 6 weeks and then Bangkok for 2 weeks before heading back to the states. I plan on purchasing my Muay Thai equipment while I am there plus other stuff I find for presents for family back home.

I think I can fit it all in a large duffel bag weighing less than 35-40lbs.

Should I ship it home and pay the high FedEx rates or will I be okay trying to check it as baggage?

I will be flying United Airlines

Will customs give me any problems?

The equipment will be boxing gloves, head gear, thai pads, shin guards, etc.

At the fedEx rates for those weights you are much better off paying the $150. bucks for an extra suitcase at checkin time .

Mentioned items are not an issue at customs.

No need to pay extra for that piddling amount, so save the $150 and buy more stuff! For trans-pacific flights from Asia to the US you generally get a baggage allowance of two 32 kg. (70 lbs) bags. Here are the baggage allowance details from the United site for flights to/from Japan, which is what you will be doing if you are using them to go back to the USA:

Travel to/from Brazil, Japan, and The Philippines:

Any Ticket Purchase Date:

Economy Class 2 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each First or Business Class 2 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each

1K Premier Executive,

Premier Executive and

Star Alliance Gold Members 3 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each

Military customers on tour 2 duffel bags, sea bags or B-4 bags up to 70 pounds/32kg and 115 linear inches/292 cm

Maximum linear dimensions of all bags: 62 inches/158cm (length + width + height) each

You can also put stuff in a carry on, and usually get away with another small bag like a computer or shopping bag. I have never had much problem bringing commercial items back to the US. On my last trip I had a bunch of stuff for sale and when asked I told them it was for sale on e-Bay. They said no problem. I asked an agent what amount you were allowed to bring in duty free and he told me $800. That was about 3 weeks ago at LAX.

Edited October 17, 2006 by qualtrough

[udon]

Take it all with you.

Good luggage is cheap and of good quality in Thailand.