10 pieces of checked luggage on a flight instead of a shipping service – crazy?

This is arguably US-centric, but given the same premise/objective I wanted to make sure you have an opportunity to read it. There may be answer at Reddit LPT Request: Moving across country

Enjoy the Netherlands!

Here’s your checklist for this task:

Via Ship

• Estimated Cost of lcl load if sent via ship container – For cost comparison
• Timelines and terms of pick up – From Door to Door or port to port transport
• Figure out if the cost & longer time is worth when compared to the Air option

Via Air

Things to check with..

Consulate / Immigration & Legal experts / Expats :

• Talk to these people with specifics on your Migration + Current or future Citizenship/ Visa status; the mix of these can affect a lot of things
• Post this or similar question on the Expats SE and connect with some Expats in NL via Internations.org; you could try some other expat & travel forums as well. For brilliant airline information – flyertalk.com
• Your citizenship/ visa status & how NL sees your migration will determine the amount of scrutiny you may face on arrival
  • Without trying to be racist or biased, eastern nations look at western expats/ immigrants more fondly than western nations do for the eastern counterparts (unsaid, but true reality of the world)
• How the destination nation looks at your immigration/ migration will also determine your Customs duty if any; typically nations waive it for people undergoing ‘transfer of residence’
• Also, check if your source nation has an export restrictions or will cause issues at time of departure

Airline:

• Sizes & Dimensions – Get approved list of sizes & maybe find the size of the pods/ containers that are put under the plane
• Load – Weight
• Price
• Most importantly, pre book and get in writing reservation for X number of luggage pieces – Don’t take a verbal confirmation – Contact their special customer care / corporate/ business offices and get email in writing with the contact names & numbers of key personnel in Corporate as well as key staff at airport – ideally for both, source and destination.

Personal:

• Wear a comfortable suit/ jacket

• Look respectable and articulate your situation concisely to immigration on arrival

• Documents – In perfect shape outlining everything authorities could/ would want to see. Hence, this has to be well researched as outlined in first step

Bonus:

• Fly first/ business class and you’ll get more bags free of charge and airline staff will be more available to you from start to finish

Physical Movement:

• Pre book and ask for – Wheelchair assistance, luggage & porter assistance
• Vehicle & Manpower: Get your friends/ family/ colleagues to help or hire & book a bigger van ahead of time

PS: I’ve done “CHANGE of RESIDENCE” before so this is barely scratching the surface.

AND

• Packing: Find a good resource on doing that. Plenty of that if you google arond 🙂

Short summary of the caveats/issues mentioned thus far in the comments and answers:

• Individual checked item and overall baggage weight limits.
• Individual checked item and overall baggage dimension & volume limits.
• Costs might be higher than they appear:
  • Airline costs per extra luggage item may rise with the number of items.
  • General charge for having extra baggage.
• The airline might not actually mean what their website says.
• Handling all those pieces of luggage at the airport.
• Transporting the luggage to and from the airport:
  • Another person’s help may be necessary.
  • A larger vehicle may be necessary.
• Customs: Need to declare and prove you’re moving to another country and transporting your personal affects.
• The need for 10 suitable containers for luggage; if not suitcases, then need to check whether the airline is willing to carry cardboard boxes, thick garbage-style plastic bags etc.
• Baggage might get wet (really?)

I’d call the airline directly to ensure that you’re interpreting their terms correctly and whether they require any additional information or preparation.

And be prepared for a very, very thorough customs inspection. The value of your luggage will obviously be above the monetary limit for customes-free imports, and the amount will suggest commercial activity to the customs agents. So you need some sort of proof that you’re moving your household, otherwise they’ll have you pay import duties.