Hello,
I am in Ukraine for 18 more hours with my fiance. We recieved NOA2 last week. Problem is she has no luggage for plane. I estimate 3 big suitcases worth of items.
I am wondering has anybody paid for extra weight, or an extra bag from Ukraine?? Has anyone used a shipping company to just get around the whole thing of carrying luggage on plane??
We have the time to look into things, but being here right now I could just go buy luggage, just looking at options. Thanks for any help. Dave68

Dave,

(Not Ukraine specific)

We ended up using DHL (in stages) as many of the shipping companies (like www.sevenseas.com) were not a match for us (expense, trouble, etc). My last trip, on my return I brought an extra suitcases back with me (to US) - if you're not already carrying two, you could do this also). Plus when Karin comes in a few weeks, we'll likely pay for one extra suitcase. The problem is (and again, this may/may-not apply to travel from Ukraine) the airlines lowered the weight restrictions on baggage - to 22kg (from 38kg I believe) which is not much...

If it were me, and I were you - I'd check with the airlines on current weight restrictions, then buy the suitcases and pay the extra and be done with it.. I know - hassles of lugging them through the airport, but you'll have them when you get home...

Best of Luck... and Safe Traveling back Home..

I'm a little confused by the statement regarding your fiancee not having luggage for the plane. Are three no suitcase available for purchase in the area your fiancee lives in?
To answer your weight allowance questions w/ regards to international flights. The weight one is allowed to carry for free on a flight and any charges for extra baggage depends on the airline. You may want to check w/ the airline you will be flying to see what these regulations are. If she has a domestic leg in the journey before the international one, there may be more of a weight restriction, definitely call the airline or if they have a website, look there. Lufthansa, for example, allows 2 pieces of baggage per passenger, w/ each piece to weigh no more than 23 kg. Normally usually about 70 lbs. are allowed per passenger, divided between 2 pieces of luggage. A third suitcase, for the same passenger would probably be subject to excess baggage charges. Perhaps if you don't have too much baggage to bring back w/ you, you can bring one of her suitcases back. Usually these large international airlines also have separate charges to ship baggage as cargo, but those charges are separate. As I said, check w/ your carrier.

Good luck!

-P

Paula&Minya are correct about the luggage not exceeding 23kg (50 lbs). And supposedly, 1 carry-on handbag. I had to pay extra for my luggage each time going to and coming from Ukraine on all 4 trips. Because they both exceeded the weight limit. Except the last time in February. I left all my winter clothes with my fiancee'. I don't need them in California. It is best to check the airlines you'll be using to determine how much you can bring. I know when I plan on going back this year after her interview, I'll be arriving with nothing in both of my luggage. I'll carry a few necessities in my backpack. But I want her to bring as many things with her in both of my luggage and both of hers also. As far as any clothing I leave behind after that, I'll donate it to some of the orphans living on the streets there. I would much rather see it put to use than sitting in a closet for an undetermined amount of time.
Dave68, where is your fiancee' from in UA?

I flew from Madrid to Philadelphia with US Airways, I had two big suitcases and a my wedding dress. The first suitcase was about 11kg overweight, the second about 7.

If someone has flown with US airways they ask you a few questions before checking in, so i told them i was moving to the US and getting married and they checked the visa on my passport, so she told that to the girl in the counter and i did not pay a single euro for that much overweight

They were really really nice, and also very careful with my wedding dress on the plane...hah!a few even congratulated me!

I do not think this is what normally happens though...

~maria

Hello All,
Thanks for all the excellent info. She is from about 100 KM west of Kiev. Not much selection on luggage, all sizes, all colors 1 price $90 a piece. I wanted to check into some things before I spent $300 on 3 pieces of luggage, and not knowing what to expect on extra bag, and overweight.
I will check with my carrier on overweight charges or extra baggage. I think I am going to get hit with overweight on way home. I brought extra bag, and taking her winter clothes, etc.
Have some Ukrainian friends back home, and believe they have some cheap ways of shipping back, and forth. Need to check into this also. Should have checked into some of these things already, but things have been moving fast. Thanks, Everyone. Dave

MEEST

http://meestboston.com/?gclid=CJKWyriA-IsCFRINIgodSBEXXg

Nice to see some info and ideas on this as I will be moving my wife (we will be getting married in July) her son and our new born. (due first week of November) all at the same time (yeah sometimes the unexpected happens. But I'll tell you what I love this lady sooo much!!) When you're moving somebody from their home and especially with a seven year old you want her to be able to bring as many of her personal belongings and treasures as possible so that she will feel more at home in her new surroundings. So I have thought about two big suitcases for each of us (hey I wonder does the baby get the same allowance?) That would mean eight big suitcases Geez I bet we could just about pack her whole apartment in that!

I'm surprised to read that so many were allowed overages in their luggages. Each time I travel to Europe, I get in trouble about a stupid 2 kg overweight. Once they let it go and gave me a dirty look. Last year they told me to go to the side of the line and unpack the overweight because they wont allow it. When I asked to just pay whatever amount it is for the overage, they gave me this whole explanation that if they let me do it, they'd have to let all passengers do it, and then the plane would be way overloaded, yada yada blah blah.

About shipping from Ukraine, try this site: You can send it as a package. 100lbs is like $45 I think. It does take 4-6 weeks though. http://www.polamerusa.com/

tel.: 773 774-8855
e-mail: mailorder@polamerusa.com

The newborn will most likely travel as a lap child and therefore no ticket, yes? No ticket no baggage allowance....

Checked with aerosvit airlines at borispol on way home. For an extra bag it is $100. The woman, as well as my travel agent gave me weight limits, but don`t have in front of me now.
Checked out that Meest site someone suggested. I called my Ukrainian friend today, and talked to one of his employees about shipping my luggage to Ukraine. Quoted same prices as Meest. Maybe forwards the stuff to them? He was away on business.
So the plan is to ship my luggage, which is 2 suitcases weighing 15# total to Fiance`s door. Cost .99 a #, arrives in around 6 weeks. See if everything fits. If not buy a bag in her city for the extra stuff. Thanks for all the info.

Happy she does not have large amounts of things to move