Shipping your suitcase vs taking it on the plane
When deciding whether to ship a suitcase or take it on the plane, business travellers should look at cost, convenience and reliability.
According to the SITA Baggage IT Insights report, the number of bags mishandled by airlines rises sharply in peak seasons. That costs companies thousands of euros in delayed meetings and lost trade fair materials.
This is why sending your luggage ahead with a reliable courier is often the smarter choice:
No waiting: skip the long queues at the bag drop and walk straight through to security. On arrival you ignore the baggage carousel and go straight to your meeting.
No hidden excess baggage fees: airlines are known for charging steep last-minute fees for heavy or oversized bags. With a courier you know exactly what you'll pay in advance.
Real-time tracking: unlike airlines, which often only scan bags at major hubs, premium carriers offer detailed door-to-door tracking.
Door-to-door convenience: sending luggage abroad has never been easier. The courier collects the suitcase from your office and delivers it straight to your destination.
How do you send a suitcase to a holiday address or workation?
With the rise of remote working and corporate retreats, sending a suitcase to a holiday address or temporary office has become standard practice. Follow these steps for a smooth delivery:
Tell reception: always let the hotel or office manager know you're sending your luggage ahead. Pass on your arrival date and the tracking number.
Use clear labels: make sure the shipping label includes the guest's name (for example "Guest: [Your Name] - Arriving [Date]") together with the hotel's address.
Protect your suitcase: a suitcase travelling through a courier network needs extra protection. We strongly recommend putting it in a sturdy cardboard shipping box to prevent damage to the wheels or handles.
Customs when sending luggage abroad
When you send a suitcase to a destination outside the European Union, it has to go through customs. Even if it only contains your personal belongings or worn clothing, customs authorities require the right documents.
You need to add a pro forma invoice (customs invoice) with a detailed description of the contents. Be specific: instead of "clothing", write "5 used cotton shirts, 2 pairs of leather shoes", for example. Also give a realistic value for the items, even if they're used.
For a full overview of how to deal with international rules, see our page on customs clearance.
Why ParcelParcel for your business luggage?
At ParcelParcel we make international logistics effortless. On our platform you compare rates from the world's leading carriers (such as FedEx, DHL, UPS and TNT) in one place.
Ready to travel hands-free on your next business trip? You can easily calculate the shipping cost for your parcel or suitcase with our tool. Our logistics specialists keep a close eye on your suitcase, so it arrives right on time.
