Avoid These 5 Common Luggage Shipping Mistakes

Baggage shipping done right

Shipping your luggage is an instant travel upgrade. Seriously, it’s one of those travel hacks that, once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back. No more hauling suitcases through airports, standing those looong bag-drop lines, or wasting precious vacation minutes at baggage claim. But while shipping your bags is a total game-changer, a few common luggage shipping mistakes can make the process trickier than it needs to be.

Here are 5 pitfalls to avoid, so your luggage shipping experience stays smooth, simple, and completely stress-free.

• Assuming an Airbnb host will accept your luggage

  Shipping to your Airbnb is super convenient—as long as your host is okay with it. But maybe your host is busy during the day. Or they don’t have a place to store your stuff until you arrive. Or they require special instructions, like gate codes.

  The last thing you guys want to do is ship your luggage and hope that your host is available and willing to accept it. Always reach out to them first to make sure your stuff is received and stored securely.

  And if it doesn’t work out with your host? We’ve got you! LugLess can ship directly to a UPS or FedEx location near your Airbnb. Your bags will be delivered securely, and you can pick them up when you arrive.

• Being careless with packing and packaging

  One of the most common luggage shipping mistakes happens way before you actually send your bags off—while you’re still packing.

  Pack your bags just as carefully as you would on a flight.

  – Pack your items snugly, so they don’t move around too much.
  – Roll your clothes instead of folding; it really does help prevent wrinkles.
  – Place toiletries or cosmetics in plastic bags to contain any possible spills.
  – Stuff small clothing items, like socks, inside your shoes to save space.
  – Use packing cubes to save space.
  – When you’re done packing, lock your suitcase.

  And the packaging outside your suitcase is just as important. Shipping your suitcase can subject it to normal wear and tear, just like when you check a bag. If you want to avoid any possible scuffs, ship your suitcase in a box for added protection. Not a requirement, but definitely a strong option!

• Ignoring shipping rules

  You guys can ship a lot of stuff, but you can’t ship everything. Shipping carriers have strict rules on what you can’t ship. And not knowing the rules is one of the most common luggage shipping mistakes you can make, triggering inspections and even potential delays.

  For example, you can’t ship alcohol. But that doesn’t just mean you can’t ship that bottle of wine. It also means you can’t ship items with a high alcohol content, like perfume. Surprised? Make sure you read up on the full shipping rules and only pack the allowed items.

• Attaching labels carelessly

  A proper label is absolutely essential to making sure your luggage gets to where it needs to be. If your shipping label is attached loosely or placed where it can get torn or smudged, your bag can be delayed.

  But no worries, there are several ways to attach a shipping label securely!

  – Use a self-adhesive fly tag, which you can pick up at a FedEx or UPS shipping center.
  – Opt for a shipping kit, which will include a LugLess tag that can be attached to a non-telescoping handle.
  – Tape a shipping label to your suitcase by wrapping clear tape all the way around your bag.

  Pro Tip: Shipping your luggage in a box doesn’t just protect your suitcase; it also makes attaching a label easy-peasy.

• Forgetting about return shipping

  You did your research, packed securely, and figured out all the shipping details. But one of the most common luggage shipping mistakes is planning to get your bags there but not back.

  So suddenly it’s the last day of your vacation, and you’re scrambling. Like, panic-scrambling. No packaging, no scheduling pickup, and no access to a printer for that all-important label.

  Keep those relaxed vacay vibes going by figuring it all out ahead of time.

  – When you set up your shipping, set it up as a round-trip—just like your flight.
  – Find the nearest drop-off location ahead of time, or schedule the pickup at the end of your vacation.
  – Print your return label at home. Or go paperless with LugLess Digital Labels™.

Avoid these common luggage shipping mistakes, ship your bags with LugLess, and breeze into your vacation hands-free.