I have just graduated from my Master degree course and getting ready to return home. My permit prolongation application for an internship was not successful and that's something my supervisor is still trying to figure out.
Anyway, I would like to ask if anyone knows the best (cheapest) option to ship my stuff (about 20-40 kg worth, I think, have not really weigh them yet) to either Singapore or Malaysia, please?
I found out from Swiss Post that it'll cost 194CHF for 30kg (max weight) to Singapore or 145CHF for 20kg (max weight) to Malaysia.
Do you know if there are better/ cheaper options, please? I do not mind if it will take months.
When I came here, my things were distributed in India, Australia and Germany. The portion of our things in Germany was paid through relocation.
Consistently we found that excess baggage and air cargo offered the most bang-for-buck in terms of getting items quickly, and saving money. In fact, from Australia I found that excess baggage was much cheaper for me than sea-cargo (perhaps because it was only 4 boxes worth of stuff).
Excess Baggage
Air Cargo
Sea Cargo
I'd investigate the above if I were in your shoes, though the postage sounds pretty reasonable also.
My other tip would be, the more you have, the less per KG you pay, so better to actually measure your stuff accurately and get quotes on that exact amount before comparing quotes.
Sea freight is on dimensions, not KG, air is on KG...and this can make quite a difference (sending books vs sending plasticware)...
I did the reverse once from Singapore to Zurich. What I did was that I went to Changi in good time for my flight. Then I went to the left luggage counter which provides "unaccompanied baggage" service. So I dropped off my stuff there and sort out the details, and then got on my flight.
My stuff most likely did not get on the same flight with me. Once I arrived in Zurich, I waited about 3 days and called a number that was given to me to arrange pick up at ZRH airport.
Note that this is not the same as paying for excess baggage because your stuff will not travel with you. For this reason, it is a lot cheaper, although I think it is still more than Swisspost.
A very big thank you for all the tips and advices.
I will check out both the excess baggages and cargo possibilities.
Appreciate the help!
Mrs. Doolittle,
The baggage allowance is 20kg and I definitely have more.
I was once fined 380 Euros for 6 kg overweight when flying home from Paris. It was a mess and the lady at the counter was a real b...., shouting at me from the moment I arrived at the counter and refused to accept that as a student, I was allowed some weight tolerances. The 6kg included 2 heavy leather coats that I could have hand- carried onto the plane, but with her shouting etc, I couldn't think properly.
swisspea,
You are right. I have been told that sea freight would cost me more as I do not have enough to fill a container. So, air freight is the better option. I have mainly notes, books and clothes.
I remember seeing in a Malaysian newspaper a company offering economical international shipping of personal belongings but I can't remember the name. Perhaps you can ask relatives or friends in Malaysia to keep an eye out for these ads?