Most people don’t realize there’s a way to travel without ever touching a baggage carousel again. And once you know about it, it’s very hard to go back.
Airlines have been mishandling bags for years, and the numbers are not getting better fast enough to inspire confidence.
According to industry data, nearly 7 bags were mishandled per 1,000 passengers in 2023 alone, with “mishandled” covering everything from delayed and damaged to outright lost or stolen.
Add to that the rising cost of checked bags on U.S. carriers, where a single bag can run $35 to $45 each way, and additional bags or oversized items cost significantly more, and you have a system that is both unreliable and increasingly expensive.
Luggage shipping services exist to solve exactly this problem, and a growing number of travelers are using them to ship their bags directly from home to their hotel, cruise ship, or vacation rental before they even step foot in an airport.
The concept is simple: a company collects bags from the door, handles the logistics, and delivers them to the destination. The appeal is obvious for anyone who has wrestled a 50-pound suitcase across three terminals or paid a fortune in oversize fees for ski equipment.
For families traveling with multiple bags, the math can work out favorably compared to airline fees, especially since most shipping services charge the same rate per bag regardless of how many are sent.
Here are 11 of the best luggage shipping services available to American travelers, covering everything from budget options to full white-glove treatment.
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Luggage Forward
Pricing starts at $99 for a 25 lb. bag, $134 for a 50 lb. bag, and $154 for a 75 lb. bag. Specialty items include standard skis or snowboards from $114, a small golf bag from $124, and a bicycle case from $219, all based on five business days of shipping.
Boston-based Luggage Forward operates in more than 200 countries worldwide, but its real specialty is cruise travel.
The service is set up specifically to get bags into a passenger’s stateroom by embarkation day, which removes one of the more stressful elements of cruise departures.
Pricing covers doorstep pickup and delivery, 24-hour phone support, insurance for lost or damaged items, and pre-mailed shipping labels.
There is also an on-time delivery guarantee: if bags do not arrive by the quoted date, the company promises a full refund plus up to $500 in additional expense reimbursement.
Luggage Free
Pricing varies by route. Sample costs include $95 for a 50 lb. bag from New York City to Los Angeles, $265 from the U.S. to Hong Kong, and $564 from the U.S. to South Africa.
For travelers who want to hand over every logistical detail and pay for the privilege, New York City-based Luggage Free is the premium option.
Pack the bag, and the service takes care of everything else: pickup, drop-off, shipping labels, and customs paperwork.
It operates between 150 countries and carries a guaranteed on-time delivery policy, with fees waived up to $500 if a bag does not arrive on schedule. Every shipment includes a complimentary insurance policy covering loss or damage up to $500.
Luggage To Ship
Prices start at around $30 and increase based on distance and weight.
This New York City-based service positions itself as a budget-friendly option and ships suitcases, boxes, and sporting equipment worldwide.
What sets it apart is a free storage offer: the company will hold any item for up to six months at no charge, after which it charges $10 per package per month.
This makes it a practical choice for anyone relocating temporarily, heading to a new city before their belongings are ready to follow, or storing bulky gear like ski equipment between seasons.
LugLess
Prices start as low as $15, rising based on bag size, distance, and optional extras. Boston-based LugLess takes a tiered pricing approach where timing directly affects cost.
Travelers willing to send bags five or six days ahead of departure, and wait the same amount of time after returning, can access rates comparable to standard airline checked bag fees.
A 50 lb. bag shipped anywhere within the continental U.S. on the slowest service option costs between $15 and $50. Speed and convenience drive the price up: optional doorstep pickup instead of a UPS drop-off, insurance, customer support, and refundability are all available add-ons.
Note that LugLess does not offer international shipping.
My Baggage
Prices start at £30 for suitcases up to 20 kg (44 lb.), with costs rising based on weight, distance, and delivery speed.
Best suited to international moves and customs-heavy routes, U.K.-based My Baggage is particularly useful for Americans relocating or shipping belongings abroad.
When placing an order, customers are prompted to answer questions about their shipment, and My Baggage identifies the relevant customs forms for the destination country and submits them on the customer’s behalf.
It takes a lot of the bureaucratic guesswork out of international shipping.
SendMyBag
Shipping within Europe starts at $43 for bags up to 30 kg (66 lb.). From the U.S. to Europe, prices begin at around $173 depending on the destination.
Another U.K.-based service, SendMyBag focuses primarily on European routes and frequently undercuts airline baggage fees on those journeys.
Shipping from the United Kingdom to Spain, for example, costs around $43 for a 44 lb. bag, which compares favorably to most carrier fees. The service handles suitcases, boxes, bicycles, ski bags, and golf bags.
It also handles all customs documentation, making it a strong option for Americans planning an extended stay or a move within Europe. Standard delivery takes four to five business days, with express options available for an additional fee.
Ship&Play
Prices start at $60 and vary based on weight, size, distance, and speed.
Florida-based Ship&Play accepts a wide range of items including suitcases, duffel bags, golf bags, ski and snowboard bags, boot bags, boxes, trunks, and bicycles.
The process is straightforward: a shipping label arrives by email, drivers pick up from a hotel, home, or cruise ship on the scheduled day, and the items are delivered to the next stop.
The company operates across 180 countries and territories, with a money-back guarantee if bags do not arrive on time.
ShipGo
Prices start at $35 and increase based on distance and weight.
West Palm Beach-based ShipGo picks up from homes, businesses, or hotels and delivers to more than 180 countries, including some genuinely remote destinations such as Fiji, Bangladesh, and the Seychelles.
Customers schedule the shipment online, attach the provided labels, and from there the company handles the rest. Every shipment includes an on-time delivery guarantee, free insurance covering loss or damage, and real-time tracking throughout.
UPS, FedEx, and DHL
Expect to pay $50 to $75 for bags under 50 lb. and around $100 for a 70 lb. bag, with four-day ground shipping.
The major carriers can absolutely ship luggage, and for travelers who already have accounts or prefer dealing with established logistics giants, they are a reliable fallback.
The trade-off is that UPS, FedEx, and DHL do not offer the same amenities as dedicated luggage services. Bags need to be dropped at a shipping center or have a pickup scheduled in advance, and there are no specialist guarantees or cruise-specific delivery options.
What they do offer is a tracking number, extensive drop-off networks, and the reassurance of working with companies that handle millions of shipments a year.
What to Know Before Shipping a Bag
Book early. Most services recommend scheduling pickup at least a few days before departure, and budget services may require a week or more of lead time to offer their lowest rates.
Check size and weight limits carefully. Every service has its own restrictions, and oversized or overweight items often attract surcharges. Measure and weigh bags before booking to avoid surprises.
Consider the insurance terms. Most services include some level of coverage, but the limits vary significantly, from $500 at the lower end to higher amounts with premium services. If shipping high-value items, check whether additional coverage is available.
Factor in both directions. Shipping bags home after a trip is just as useful as shipping them ahead, particularly for anyone returning with more than they left with or who does not want to deal with airport chaos on the way back.
International shipments require customs documentation. Some services, like My Baggage and SendMyBag, handle this on the customer’s behalf. Others expect travelers to sort it themselves. Clarify this before booking on any cross-border route.