Excess Baggage

[HikerMark 5]

Now that all my boxes have arrived from the UK I thought I would give some feedback on my experiences of using Excess Baggage.

From the start I would say that overall I have been pleased with their service. Out of the eight boxes I had shipped only one item was broken and that was due to my poor packing skills.

One box was open when it arrived but nothing was missing and one box had been inspected by US Customs and re-sealed by them. The rest of the boxes were just as I had sealed them and not damaged.

In terms of time I always knew it was going to take some time by sea to get them shipped to Phoenix (via LA). The boxes were collected from Exeter on November 20 and reached Phoenix on February 27. So just over 13 weeks. Within that timescale they sat in London until December 26 when the ship arrived in London and in LA there was about a week delay for a customs inspection of the container with by boxes in it. I had no duty to pay following the inspection and just had to pay the agent in LA a $50 inspection fee. This was collected as cash at the time of delivery.

The few times I contacted Excess Baggage and the agent in LA for updates I got very quick responses by email. The delivery driver at the Phoenix end was also very good. Strictly speaking they aren't supposed to deliver above ground floor without an extra charge but with a bit of help from me he was happy to deliver to our second floor apartment.

So, I would recommend Excess Baggage for moving items to the US. They may not be the cheapest but the service is good.

[miss g 1]

how much did it cost and how long did it take

[HikerMark 5]

Cost was £597 including the insurance. This was for eight boxes totaling 23 cubic feet.

It took 13 weeks door to door.

[desilu 0]

Thought I should share my experience as I used Excess Baggage as well.

I had 15 boxes totalling 55 cubic feet. Total bill was just shy of £800 including optional £5k insurance I took out.

My boxes arrived 7 weeks after they were pick-up in the UK. Nothing damaged and no problems. No customs inspection for me - just an xray fee of $15.

Overall I would reccommend them.

[Mags 112]

Quite a few Brits in this forum have used excessbaggage, myself included. The majority of feedback has been excellent.

I think my shipping cost around 600 quid for 12 boxes and took 8 weeks (SW London to Indiana). I had email updates of the boxes progress and, a week before arrival, I had a rep phone me to make arrangements for delivery.

All in all, excellent.

[Talyss 0]

Good to see all the nice comments I am using their removals arm to bring my goods and furniture over

[Kirsten UK 2]

Thanks for the link, I have just sent off for my quote...2 book cartons, 2 tea cartons and 2 big size 6?! cartons plus a bike carton.....I wonder how much it will be!! I'm trying to keep the shipping to a minimum.

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

I used them too and they were fantastic. They always replied to emails and phone calls, dropped off extra bubble wrap and boxes when we underestimated the amount of stuff we needed to pack, and kept us informed of where our stuff was. Nothing was broken, no boxes were opened and the guys on the US end were great. It cost us about 600 quid to send 20 boxes (some small, some huge, most in between size) door-to-door from North London to New Haven, CT and it took about 8 weeks.

[ponyespresso 0]

I am in the process right now of using Excess Baggage, and so far their customer service has been outstanding. They have worked up several quotes for me, answered my dumb questions without complaint and generally been right on the ball.

I have just ordered my boxes, will now spend the next two weeks packing and getting everything ready for shipping.

Again, I'm just in the middle of this, but as it stands Excess Baggage has been prompt, courteous, knowledgeable and professional.