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[11171735]

I'm finishing up a sabbatical year in UK and going back to US in a few days, and I need to figure out the best way to get the books I accumulated over the past year back to USA.  It didn't seem like I was buying that many, and a fair number of them are work related so I would like to keep them if it's feasible.  But I have a couple of medium sized boxes.  I would be greatful for any advice about how best to deal with this.  Thanks,

[new99]

Not sure what's cheapest or available these days, but look into the M-bag for printed materials (through Royal Mail) if it's available for individuals, as well as shipping companies like Excess Baggage. In my experience, the latter had decent prices for the weight, compared to mail or courier prices.

[southbound]

I just returned from a year in the UK.  Providentially, my college (here in the US) paid for the shipping, but as I recall, two boxes with a total weight of about 45 kilos...um, now that I think of it I don't recall whether the number I had was in dollars or pounds, so this ain't a big help.  The happy version is it cost GBP 125, so about $250, but it might have been GBP 225.

In any case, I used ParcelForce.  You can enter the details online and it'll give you a quote; if you decide to buy, they'll come to your door to get the boxes.  Mine was advertised for 5 days, and I timed it to get home before the boxes, but they beat me home...something like 36 hours.

The other thing I did, to try and save money for the college, is buy an extra bag to check and loaded it up too.  Figured the extra bag charge was cheaper than shipping (which makes me think the 2 boxes cost 225 pounds).  Anyway, not only did I have an extra checked bag, but it and one other one was overweight.  When I said, "ok, how much do I owe you?" the reply was "that's ok, nothing."  Hooray for KLM.  Northwest (KLM's partner and my freq flyer carrier) wouldn't have done that.

best wishes on your return--remember, drive on the RIGHT, and say goodbye to expatinuk

[henri]

Ask around and see if you can make friends with an APO.  They pay standard shipping rates to/from the States and can cut down on your costs significantly.