Sending packages UK to Portugal - best method?

chasroberts

chasroberts

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Feb 2004
Messages
1,121
Location
Cap d'Agde, France
Visit site
Hi Guys

I am looking to send a package from UK to Lagos, Portugal. Weight will be around 10-15kgs and dimensions will be within the quoted limits of a few of the sites I've already looked. My question is if anybody has recommendations of companies to do this. Express delivery is not essential, just need to know that it will get there within a week of sending and in one piece, hopefully, and cost less than excess baggage rates with one of the airlines.

All thoughts/experiences (good or bad) would be appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Chas
 
Can only report on recent experience of Nickrj when he was in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria . He waited around 2 months for delivery of Solar Panels from Germany. I sent him small packages by Airmail which always arrived within 4-5 days but this is limited to a maximum of 2kg per package. I always addressed them c/o Sailors Bar which was a nearby bistro & wifi hotspot. I figured the postman would not be quite so keen on traipsing around the pontoon berths & in any case a business address is better because there's always someone around to sign for delivery.
I would recommend UPS & DHL & follow their advice. Pay attention to Customs Declaration where applicable. Also look up "nickrj" & take note of his experience.
Hope that's helpful !
 
Sorry, just noticed you are in Lagos,did we see your boat in Sopromars yard (noticed a swing keel yacht just opposite the office on Saturday)? Our package was delivered to the yard in our abscence and they placed it carefully under the boat.
 
Yes that's us! Everything look OK? We've been away from the boat for a few months but should be back in a couple of weeks. Just trying to arrange to send out some bits and pieces for the boat.
 
I sent a propellor to Portugal recently from a Post Office in Brighton, needless to say it didn't arrive. I am now taking months to claim from Parcelforce.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I sent a propellor to Portugal recently from a Post Office in Brighton, needless to say it didn't arrive. I am now taking months to claim from Parcelforce.

[/ QUOTE ]

With the price of scrap metal these days that somehow doesn't surprise me, whilst I am happy with royal mail parcels I find parcelforce unreliable and insecure.
 
Why not take it with you as an "extra bag". E.Jet allow you up to 12kg for "sports or similar equipment" Costs about £15. Surely othe carriers have a similar system>
 
Thought about that but there is a couple of 5lt tins of antifoul in the package (ridiculously expensive in Portugal for some reason) which the airlines might baulk at and at c£5 per kilo excess baggage was just hoping to find a cheaper option. Will look into it again though. Thanks for the thoughts and the other suggestions. Still looking.......
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thought about that but there is a couple of 5lt tins of antifoul in the package (ridiculously expensive in Portugal for some reason) which the airlines might baulk at and at c£5 per kilo excess baggage was just hoping to find a cheaper option. Will look into it again though. Thanks for the thoughts and the other suggestions. Still looking.......

[/ QUOTE ]

Many of the airlines do prepayment deals for excess that are almost reasonable and may well be better than other means of shipping
 
Get somebody to bring it out with them!!!

DHL, twice, took 12 + days to get a gauranteed 48hour delivery to us in Portimao, mail an average of 5-10 day depending on when the weekend falls. Anything else is pure guesswork. Even the local shops and chandlers will tell you 1 - 2 weeks for an internal delivery, if you need stuff from out side, how long are you there for.

On saying that, Amazon, without fail always managed to get books and DVDs to us within 4-5 working days, amazing!!!!

I could be biased here but the Portugese postal system leaves a little bit to be improved on. Seems everything stops in Lisbon, falls into a bloody great hole until eventually somebody falls in it, finds stuff and brings it out to forward on.
 
If you weren't shipping paint the best way I have found is to use a golf travel bag, make sure it roughly resembles a set of golf clubs inside using a large cardboard tube and then fill it with everything you need. I think you are allowed up to 15kg for a set of clubs.
Worth a try.
Adaero
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top