Souveniers & Clothing - Shipping from Beijing to USA?

Hi,

I have heard about the great shopping in Beijing. Is it possible for me to ship a bunch of stuff back to the US? Expensive? Or is it better/cheaper to just buy a second large suitcase and fill it up? Any problems with Customs if using second Suitcase?

Thanks,

Ken

Souveniers %26amp; Clothing - Shipping from Beijing to USA?

Much cheaper to buy a second suitcase for maybe 100-200 yuan and then pack it with 50 pounds, 23 kg. Check locks and hinges carefully, and maybe bring along one of those straps that secure a suitcase from opening during the trip. China%26#39;s airports do not have a reputation for dishonest baggage handlers.

Most airlines allow you two checked bags of 23 kg each. So take a large 27'; checked bag, and carry-on with a 22'; rollaboard. The carry-on limits are generally 40 pounds, 18 kg, max but who is checking weight of carry-on bag? Size is the thing, standard 22'; outside dimension. Buy another 27'; bag in China or smaller if your purchases are compact and heavy. You want to pack the bag full so you purchases are tight enough not to bang around in the bag.

Never had a Customs problem in either direction with two checked bags, one rollaboard, and one computer bag.

Souveniers %26amp; Clothing - Shipping from Beijing to USA?

Ship only if you exceed your checked baggage allowance and don%26#39;t mind waiting a few months for things to get to you by surface mail.

Do you have a suggestion as to where I could purchase a second suitcase? I would like a good fake one. Thanks

I strongly advice you to be really carefull when buying (fake name brand) luggage. I bought a ';North Face'; backpack and a ';Samsonite'; giant trolley for the insane amount of stuff that my family decided to bring back from China last fall. They did survive the flight but both of them broke just after i picked them off the baggage carousel.

Hi again Ken,

First, search in the upper right hand box in the Beijing forum for the word, ';market,'; and you will find your selection. Most would say the ';Silk Market,'; but there are other places.

Second, it is my strong advice to forget about the fake label and look in the markets for a strong suitcase. Last year I found a good looking suitcase but it looked too fragile to me. I asked the merchant to stand on the bag to make sure it could take the abuse, and he dented the sides.

I have bought several suitcases in similar markets, and you must carefully inspect the merchandise, like all merchandise in a ';fake'; market. Be very particular, check fit, hardware, fabric and seams. The cases I have bought all held up well enough for the trip home and then a few more to boot. For 70-200 yuan (around $10 and up), you are not investing in a long-term piece of luggage.

You must bargain hard, and that is a whole subject unto itself, so also search on that term. But don%26#39;t let that put you off. Just offer 10% of the asking price and set a final target (50% or less of original asking price) at the beginning, then walk away. If your price is good, they will yell at you and ask you to come back for the last price you offered. Don%26#39;t let them substitute merchandise in original wrapping. Take the luggage you inspected, or inspect a new case all over again.

a big nylon weaved bag would be more practical and *way* cheaper. You are going to throw it away after your trip anyway.