MetEx House, 496a Great West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW5 0TE  ·  Shipping since 1998
0800 096 38 39
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Unaccompanied baggage specialists · UK-wide collection

Unaccompanied Baggage & Excess Luggage Shipping from the UK

Excess Luggage Co. provides unaccompanied baggage shipping, excess baggage shipping, and personal effects shipping from the United Kingdom to destinations worldwide. Since 1998, we've helped students, expats, families, and business travellers ship luggage overseas by air and sea freight — a cost-effective alternative to airline excess baggage charges.

1998Established
180+Countries served
UK-wideDoor collection
Service typeUnaccompanied baggage
Freight optionsAir & sea
DeliveryDoor-to-door or airport collection
DocumentationUK export prepared for you
CollectionAnywhere in the UK

Ship luggage overseas without the airline baggage fees

Excess Luggage Co. provides international luggage shipping, excess baggage shipping, and personal effects shipping services from the United Kingdom to destinations worldwide. Since 1998, we have helped students, expatriates, families, and business travellers send luggage, suitcases, boxes, and household belongings overseas by air freight and sea freight — often providing a cost-effective alternative to airline excess baggage charges.

Whether you need to ship luggage overseas ahead of a holiday, manage an overseas relocation, or arrange student shipping for a university move, our luggage shipping UK service collects from your door and takes care of export documentation, so your belongings arrive safely without you needing to manage customs paperwork yourself.

We are not a general parcel courier. Excess Luggage Co. specialises specifically in unaccompanied baggage: suitcases, holdalls, boxes of personal effects, and household items shipped on behalf of an individual traveller or person relocating — as distinct from commercial freight or standard courier parcels.

Our services are frequently used by expatriates, students, professionals, and families undertaking international relocation or moving overseas, as well as holidaymakers who simply want to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport. We prepare your UK export documentation and a valued, itemised packing list for every shipment.

Popular destinations

Door-to-door and airport-collection shipping to destinations across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

A UK company you can call, since 1998

Shipping since 1998

Established in 1998, Excess Luggage Co. has been shipping personal effects and unaccompanied baggage overseas from the UK ever since.

Worldwide destinations

We ship to over 180 countries, with established door-to-door (where available) services for major destinations and airport-collection coverage almost everywhere else.

Air & sea freight options

Choose faster air freight for time-sensitive shipments, or more cost-effective sea freight for larger volumes of luggage and personal effects.

Full export documentation prepared

We prepare your UK export documentation and a valued, itemised packing list for every shipment, so you know exactly what's being declared.

UK-based customer service

Speak to a real person based in the UK on 0800 096 38 39 — not an overseas call centre or chatbot-only support line.

Airport & door-to-door (where available) delivery

Depending on your destination, we deliver directly to your address or arrange arrival airport collection — we'll always tell you which applies before you book.

Four steps to shipping your luggage overseas

STEP 1

Get a quote

Tell us your destination, the number of bags or boxes, and your collection address. We'll confirm pricing and transit time.

STEP 2

Book a collection

Choose a collection date that suits you, anywhere in the UK. We'll send packing guidance and documentation requirements.

STEP 3

We collect & ship

We collect your luggage, prepare UK export documentation, and ship by air or sea freight to your destination.

STEP 4

Receive your luggage

Depending on your destination, we deliver directly to your address, or your luggage is ready for collection at the arrival airport.

Built around how people actually move

Student shipping

International student shipping and university baggage shipping for students relocating to universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Dubai, and beyond.

Overseas relocation

Household goods shipping and expat shipping for professionals and families moving abroad for work, undertaking a full international relocation, or starting a new role overseas.

Holidays & family visits

Avoid airline excess baggage charges on family holidays, visits home, or extended stays — ship ahead and travel with just a carry-on.

Business & long-stay travel

Personal effects shipping for business travellers and long-stay visitors who need more than a standard airline baggage allowance.

Sports & equipment shipping

Ship golf clubs, skis, snowboards, and bikes ahead of your trip — avoid oversized baggage fees and travel without bulky equipment.

We collect from anywhere in the UK

Shippers come from all over the UK. We collect luggage, boxes, and personal effects from homes, universities, hotels, and offices throughout London, Heathrow, Hounslow, Uxbridge, Slough, Reading, and every major UK city — wherever you're based, our UK-wide collection network reaches you.

LondonHeathrowHounslowUxbridgeSloughBirminghamManchesterLeedsGlasgowLiverpoolBristolSheffieldEdinburghNewcastleNottinghamCardiffBelfastLeicesterCoventryBradfordSouthamptonPortsmouthAberdeenReadingOxfordCambridgeBrightonHullPlymouthStoke-on-TrentDerbySwanseaMilton KeynesYork

Find detailed collection information for your area: London, Heathrow, Hounslow, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Reading & Slough.

Unaccompanied baggage shipping, explained

How does unaccompanied baggage shipping work?+
You book a collection from your UK address, pack your luggage, boxes, or personal effects, and we collect, prepare your export documentation, and ship by air or sea freight to your destination. Depending on the country, your shipment is either delivered directly to your address (door-to-door (where available)) or held for collection at the arrival airport or seaport. Your belongings travel separately from you as freight, not as checked airline baggage.
What items can I ship?+
Most personal effects can be shipped: clothing, books, personal electronics, sports equipment, and household items. Certain goods are restricted or prohibited under IATA dangerous goods regulations and destination country customs rules, including aerosols, flammable liquids, batteries outside of equipment, and some food and animal products. Check the specific restrictions for your destination before booking.
How long does international luggage shipping take?+
Transit times vary by destination and delivery method. Air freight to most European destinations takes 3-5 working days; air freight to longer-haul destinations such as the USA, Australia, UAE, and South Africa typically takes 5-10 working days. Sea freight takes considerably longer, often 8-12 weeks depending on the destination, but costs less for larger volumes.
Who is responsible for customs clearance?+
Excess Luggage Co. prepares your UK export documentation and a valued, itemised packing list. Import customs declarations and clearance at the destination country are the importer's own responsibility in every case. For door-to-door (where available) destinations, clearance is generally handled as part of the delivery process; for collection-only destinations, you or an authorised representative must attend in person to clear customs.
What is the difference between unaccompanied baggage and a courier parcel?+
Unaccompanied baggage is luggage and personal effects shipped on behalf of an individual traveller or relocator, prepared with export documentation specific to personal effects shipments. This is different from a courier parcel service, which is designed for general goods and commercial items rather than personal belongings travelling in connection with a person's own move or trip, and does not typically include the same customs documentation support for personal effects.
Is luggage shipping cheaper than airline excess baggage charges?+
For larger volumes of luggage, shipping with Excess Luggage Co. is often more cost-effective than paying per-kilo airline excess baggage fees, particularly for families, students, and relocators moving multiple bags or boxes. The right option depends on weight, volume, and destination, so it's worth comparing both for your specific shipment.
Do you offer student shipping?+
Yes. We regularly assist students relocating to universities in the UK and overseas, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Dubai, shipping luggage and personal effects between home and university accommodation.
Do you collect luggage from anywhere in the UK?+
Yes. We collect from homes, universities, hotels, and offices throughout the United Kingdom, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, and many other UK cities and towns. Wherever you're based in the UK, we can arrange a collection.
Can I ship golf clubs, skis, or a bike?+
Yes. We ship golf clubs, skis, snowboards, and bikes as part of our personal effects shipping service, provided they're properly packed in a suitable bag, case, or box. This is often more cost-effective than paying an airline's oversized sports equipment fee.
I'm moving abroad for work — can you help with relocation shipping?+
Yes. We regularly help professionals moving abroad for work ship personal effects and household items to their new country, as part of a wider international relocation. We prepare your UK export documentation, and can advise on transfer of residence relief where applicable for your destination.

High-demand shipping routes

Our most popular origin & destination combinations — each with route-specific customs and delivery guidance.

See all 59 routes →

Ship luggage to UK universities

Dedicated shipping guides for 15 UK universities — with halls-of-residence delivery guidance and student discounts.

All student shipping →

Ready to ship your luggage overseas?

Get a quote in minutes, or call our UK-based team on 0800 096 38 39.

Shipping & relocation for HM Forces

Posting overseas, coming home, or leaving the Service? We help forces personnel and their families ship excess baggage, personal effects and household goods — with UK collection nationwide, even if you're deployed. Independent, family-run, established 1998.

British Army RAF Royal Navy Royal Marines BFPO & relocation guide →

“I have worked in this industry for more than 40 years, and safety has always been my highest priority. Our responsibility is to protect not only the shipper’s belongings, but also airline staff, carriers, customs authorities, and fellow passengers travelling on the aircraft carrying the shipment.”

Lak Kharod — Director, Excess Luggage Co.

Excess Luggage Co. comply with the UK aviation and maritime security act and regulations, we ship all dangerous goods under IATA and IMDG rules, and all our staff are trained in aviation & maritime security for shipping.

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Collection hours: Within M25: Mon–Fri 09:30–16:00 • Outside M25: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00 only. Weekend collections within Greater London only, subject to availability and surcharge.
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Barrels & oversized items: Barrel shipments are subject to a handling surcharge due to size and weight. Please advise at enquiry stage so we can confirm the correct charge before booking.