The answer depends on your specific situation — number of bags, weight, destination and airline. Here is the real breakdown, including when shipping wins and when it does not. We have been doing this for 28 years so you can budget for them here.
All carriers require your luggage to be no more than 23kg each. Full stop. It is not a guideline and it is not negotiable at the desk.
If your luggage is over 32kg it must travel as cargo — no airline will load it as a checked bag. Your only option at check-in is to unpack everything in front of strangers and redistribute the weight. It is slow, it holds up the queue, and it is as frustrating as it sounds.
Avoid the embarrassment. Talk to Excess Luggage Co. before you fly — 0800 096 38 39 or get a quote.
The short answer: for one bag, it depends. For two or more bags, shipping is almost always cheaper than airline excess fees. Here is the real breakdown.
The key difference people miss: airline excess fees are set at the check-in gate when you have no alternative. Our price is confirmed on the phone before we collect — and as long as your bags are what you told us, that’s the price you pay.
On Reddit, Mumsnet, TripAdvisor forums and expat communities, the consistent finding is this: shipping wins on two or more bags, every time. Here is the pattern that comes up repeatedly.
“Booked the flight without checking excess baggage costs. Arrived at check-in with three bags. Airline quoted £240 for the two extra bags. Wish I had shipped them ahead — would have been half the price and I would not have had to drag them through the airport.”
The people who end up paying the most are those who decide at the last minute at the airport. The people who come out ahead book their shipping at least 7–10 days before travel, get a quote, and fly light.
There is also a convenience factor that does not show up in price comparisons: you do not carry the bags through the airport, onto public transport, or into hotels. For long-haul moves and student relocations, that alone is worth a lot.
How many bags are you taking? If it is two or more, call us on 0800 096 38 39 with your postcode and destination. We will give you a clear quote in 2 minutes and you can decide.
We have been doing this since 1998 and there are situations where shipping is not the right answer. We would rather tell you now than have you book unnecessarily.
Shipping probably does not make sense if: you have one bag under 23kg on a short-haul flight where the airline includes a bag in the fare. In that case the airline has already priced the bag into your ticket. No shipping service beats free.
Shipping definitely makes sense if: you are over your allowance, travelling with two or more bags, moving home, finishing university, relocating for work, or shipping goods back to family abroad. These are the situations we handle every week — over 28 years.
Call us on 0800 096 38 39 and we will tell you honestly whether it makes sense for your specific situation. No hard sell.
If you are travelling with more than one or two suitcases, paying airline excess baggage charges can quickly become expensive. Many airlines charge additional fees for extra bags, overweight luggage, or oversized items — and you will still need to transport your luggage through the airport yourself.
At Excess Luggage Ltd., we provide a convenient alternative. We collect your luggage, suitcases, boxes, and personal effects directly from your UK home, office, or university and ship them safely to destinations around the world by air or sea freight. Whether you are a student studying abroad, relocating overseas, emigrating, or simply travelling with extra baggage, our luggage shipping service can help you avoid carrying heavy bags through the airport while offering a reliable, fully tracked service.
Our experienced team has been helping customers ship luggage worldwide since 1998, with services to 185 countries. Depending on your destination, we also offer convenient door-to-door (subject to your destination) delivery options.
Before paying airline excess baggage fees, compare your options. You may find that shipping your luggage separately is a more convenient and cost-effective solution — particularly if you are travelling with several suitcases, sports equipment, musical instruments, or personal belongings.
📋 Get an Instant Luggage Shipping Quote
Compare the cost of airline excess baggage with our worldwide luggage shipping service. We will collect from your UK address and deliver your luggage safely to your destination.
Tell us your UK postcode, destination, bag count and collection date. Clear quote. No guesswork. Established 1998.