10 Luggage Shipping Services, So You Can Avoid Checking Bags

There are few experiences more aggravating during travel than when the baggage carousel halts and you discover your bag is missing. Although mobile tracking enables airlines to ensure your checked luggage reaches its destination on time, the system is not flawless. In 2022, around 26 million bags were mishandled globally, according to SITA, an IT service provider for the air transport sector. This means approximately 7.6 bags were mishandled for every 1,000 passengers, which includes delays, damage, loss, or theft. While some airlines may offer compensation in miles for delayed bags, the number is significant enough to make travelers consider a potentially better alternative.

Introducing: luggage shipping services.

Recently, several luggage shipping companies have emerged, presenting a viable option for travelers who prefer not to deal with the hassle of transporting bags through crowded airports. In fact, some of these services may even be cheaper than standard airline baggage fees, especially for multiple bags. For instance, while most U.S. airlines charge $30 or $35 for the first bag, additional charges can escalate quickly. On United, the first bag costs $35, the second $45, the third $150, and the fourth $200. Special items like bikes, skis, and golf clubs often incur oversized luggage fees. Conversely, shipping companies typically charge a flat rate per bag, regardless of how many you send.

Luggage shipping providers also feature extra amenities such as home pickup and delivery, and they accept larger items like golf clubs, ski gear, or bicycles. Here are 10 excellent luggage shipping services you can consider, listed in no particular order.

1. Luggage Forward

Pricing: $89 for a 25 lb. bag; $99 for a 50 lb. bag; $149 for a 75 lb. bag. Additionally, $89 for standard skis or snowboards; $99 for a standard golf bag; $189 for a bicycle case, with shipping available in five business days.

Based in Boston, Luggage Forward provides luggage shipping services across the U.S. and in over 200 countries globally, specializing in deliveries to cruise ships (ensuring your luggage is in your stateroom upon arrival) worldwide. Luggage Forward’s services include doorstep pickup and delivery (from your residence or office to your hotel or cruise ship and back), 24/7 phone support, insurance for lost or damaged items, shipping labels sent to clients, and a delivery guarantee that promises a full refund and up to $500 in expense reimbursement if your bags do not arrive by the scheduled date.

2. SendMyBag

Pricing: The most affordable rates are within Europe, starting at £20 (approximately US$25 at current exchange rates) for bags weighing up to 30 kg (66 lb.). For shipments from the United States to Europe, prices typically begin at £109 (around US$135), depending on the specific destination.

SendMyBag, a shipping service based in the U.K., is an excellent option for travelers within Europe, often offering lower rates than airlines (for instance, shipping a 24 kg—or 53 lb.—bag from the U.K. to Spain costs just £35, or US$43).

This service is also ideal for individuals relocating to a new country, whether for a long-term stay or to work abroad, as the company provides all necessary information and forms to ensure your bags pass through customs smoothly (a process that can be quite tricky to manage independently).

Travelers simply need to print their shipping labels and arrange a pickup day from their home, dorm, or office. After that, SendMyBag will collect the luggage and deliver it to the specified address, with most bags arriving within four business days.

3. LuggageToShip

Pricing: Rates start at $30 and vary depending on the distance your luggage needs to travel and its total weight.

This budget-friendly shipping service based in New York City operates globally. The company can handle everything from suitcases and boxes to sporting gear. What sets LuggageToShip apart is its complimentary storage service—it can keep any item for up to six months (after that, it’s $10 per month). This is particularly useful for those lacking space at home for larger items like ski equipment.

4. Luggage Free

Pricing: Costs fluctuate based on the selected services. For instance, it’s $219 for a 50 lb. bag shipped from New York City to Los Angeles, $280 for a bag sent from the USA to Hong Kong, and $499 for a bag shipped from the USA to South Africa.

If you desire a white-glove service and don’t mind paying a bit more, Luggage Free, also based in New York City, is an excellent choice. You simply pack your bag, and they manage everything else—pickup, drop-off, shipping labels, and customs documentation.

Luggage Free operates in over 150 countries and guarantees on-time delivery. If your bag doesn’t arrive on the scheduled day, they will waive the shipping fee. Each shipment also comes with complimentary insurance, covering up to $500 for loss or damage.

5. LugLess

Pricing: Rates begin at just $15 but can increase based on the size and weight of the bag, distance traveled, and any optional add-ons.

This luggage shipping service, headquartered in Boston, provides rates that can rival those of airlines for checked baggage—provided travelers are willing to dispatch their suitcases five or six days before departure and wait five or six days after returning to receive them.

LugLess calculates prices based on bag size, destination, and desired speed of delivery. For instance, sending one 50 lb. bag using the slowest shipping option costs between $15 and $50 within the continental United States. The faster you need your luggage and the more services you select—like optional doorstep pickup and delivery (instead of dropping off at a UPS location), insurance, customer support, and refund options—the higher the cost. Please note that LugLess does not provide international shipping.

6. AirPortr

Pricing: The service begins at £15 (US$18.50) for each bag.

While not exactly a shipping company, AirPortr, based in London, provides a check-in service that picks up travelers’ bags from their home, office, or hotel and checks them in at select airports in the U.K. and Switzerland. AirPortr aims to help passengers who want to explore the city unburdened by their luggage before their flight, as well as families managing kids and bags, sports travelers carrying equipment, and elderly or mobility-challenged individuals who find it difficult to transport their bags. It’s recommended to schedule your pickup for the day before your flight.

7. ShipGo

Pricing: Starts at $35 and can increase based on the distance your luggage will travel and its total weight.

ShipGo, located in West Palm Beach, Florida, offers to collect your bags from your home, office, or hotel and deliver them to any destination you choose in over 180 countries, including remote locations like Fiji, Bangladesh, and Seychelles. Travelers can easily schedule their shipment date online and attach the provided shipping labels. ShipGo guarantees on-time delivery, offers free insurance on each shipment (covering loss or damage), and provides real-time tracking.

8-10. UPS, FedEx, and DHL

Pricing: $50–$75 for suitcases weighing under 50 pounds; $100 for a 70 lb. bag, all with four-day ground shipping.

Traditional shipping companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL can certainly deliver your luggage to its destination. However, don't expect the same level of service as specialized luggage shipping companies. You'll need to either drop off your suitcase (as is or packed) at one of their locations or arrange a pickup several days in advance. On the upside, you'll receive a tracking number to monitor your bag's journey.

This article was first published in 2022 and updated on August 7, 2023, to reflect the latest information. Reporting for this article was contributed by Michelle Baran.