I'm documenting this as it happens because I think it is a good learning experience and I'd like to look back and see what I learnt on the way from the whole process.
I spent weeks searching the internet for reasonably priced flights back to the UK with the flexibility for increased baggage allowance and it seemed the only option was to purchase a British Airways flight at the extortionate price of $1400 for a one-way ticket which allowed me to bring 40kg of luggage. This is not a price I can afford so I had to look elsewhere. But the only flights that were affordable were the ones with a measly 20kg luggage allowance. There was no way I was going to be able to reduce my personal effects from the last 2 years to hit anywhere near that maximum.
So I looked into mailing some of my stuff, which would cost around $125 for about 20kg going surface mail. I felt uneasy about this so I bit the bullet and looked into British Airways World Cargo. Their price was $3.60 per kg plus a one-time airway fee of $25. If I was to ship 40kg of luggage the total amount plus the cost of the cheap flight (I found one for $360 all-in) would still be less than half of the price of a BA flight ticket. So cargo it is.
Having spent countless hours on the phone with their Toronto office I have finally had my 40kg picked up and delivered to the airport this morning. Pricing actually goes on the basis of kg or volume, whichever is greater. So my rectangular rubber maid tub that is 12.6 on volume weight and 17kg on actual weight will be charged for the actual weight, whereas my black duffle bag, which is 20kg actual weight and 25 on volume weight will probably be charged for the volume. Either way it seems like quite a fair deal to me, although I do anticipate extra fees at the Gatwick end of things with customs and handling. But I've been told it won't cost much more than 75GBP. We'll see though. Hence the blog entry. I'm at the first stages of this cargo story and while it all seems to be going pretty well I'm still waiting for something to surprise me. If it continues to go this smoothly I honestly think I'd consider this option again and/or recommending it to others in a similar predicament of moving countries.
The way it works is that my belongings go on whatever flight is convenient for BA and once it arrives in the UK I get a phone call in England saying that I can pick them up. I've sent them ahead of my own flight to give some space for queries/issues to be dealt with before I'm out of contact this side of the Atlantic. Should they arrive en Angleterre prior to me then my folks will get the call and I'll be able to collect my stuff at the same time as my arrival at LGW. If they don't I'll receive the call and will pick it up myself once fit to drive. They say to allow 4-5 days of transit time so I anticipate a phone call on the weekend or after, which works well for me since I arrive on Friday morning.
Still, it's only the beginning. Who knows what could happen. Here are my fears:
That there are hidden costs that I've not been informed about
That the costs that I have been made aware of are actually more substantial than initially estimated
That the cargo gets lost somewhere in transit (let's face it, it has to go from Calgary to Vancouver, then from Vancouver to Heathrow, then Heathrow to Gatwick. Anything could happen. $10 says it happens at Heathrow, if it does... Any takers?)
That I get maimed by Customs Duty / VAT on arrival in England.
I strongly wanted to emphasize the "personal effects" part in my customs form. I.e. don't shaft me, folks... This stuff has very little genuine monetary value. Please, God, no Jobs-worths at either end!! Please, please, please! Let them choose another person's cargo to be anal about!
Well, there it is. The story thus far.
To be continued...
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