Packing up
What to take
Think about what you own and what you really need to take home with you.
By reducing how much you take home, you can save on the cost of excess baggage and shipping.
Decide what you want to take with you on the plane, and start thinking about shipping goods home far enough in advance for you to make the necessary arrangements. Check with your airline for specific regulations on the weight and size of suitcases and excess baggage to your final destination. Be sure to ask about baggage regulations for any stops along the way.
Sending excess baggage home
Look into some of the baggage and transport agents that are available. There are usually a few options such as sending your belongings by surface or by air, through the Post Office or with a baggage agent. So you can compare costs. Consider the length of time it will take for the parcels to arrive and any potential damage to equipment and books etc. Flyers for some popular baggage services are available from LTI.
Also make sure to confirm regulations on the size, weight and content of boxes if you are sending your belongings home by sea mail.
Some companies that can assist you with sending bulky or excess baggage back home:
Customs
Make sure that you are aware of what you can and cannot take out of Australia, and also what you are allowed to take into your home country, by visiting the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website.
Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean students
Malaysian and Singaporean students should complete Duty Free Allowance forms, and Indonesian students will need to complete some special baggage forms when sending their belongings home. These will be available at the Returning Home Workshop or from LTI.
