I expect to have to ship souvenirs or laundry home eventually.
What can I expect to pay to ship stuff home from Egypt?
How reliable is the postal service?
Is the post office even the best option? Or would Fedex or DHL be better?
I've actually searched for this one and I can't seem to find hard numbers from anyone (FedEx, UPS, DHL, Egypt post).
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
Hello Fuzzypuppy,
Postage costs from Egypt are quite high. Anything sent to me from Egypt has arrived, but almost anything I send there, goes off the radr & is lost forever......unless I send it insured & then it arrives safely!!
I think Lonely Plant have some info on posting items home & how to go about it.
I do have a friend in Egypt, who might be able to help you if you feel you need help through this??
Hope this helps............Debbie
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
Thanks Debbie!
I was told that Fedex would be around $200. So the couriers are out.
Basically now I'm looking for the rates to ship packages around 1-10kg from Egypt to Canada.
I remember shipping approx 5-6kg from China was about $60 for package airmail and $30 for seamail. So I'm hoping Egypt will be in that range.
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
Hi Fuzzy,
I'll get in touch with my friend & ask how much he thinks it would cost to post. Will let you know as soon as I hear back from him. All the best..........Debbie
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
Many thanks Debbie!!!
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
Hello Fuzzypuppy,
My friend tells me that Fedex or DHL charge around 500 Egyptian pounds per kilo. The local Government post office with express shipping service (that he uses himself, charge between 1200 & 1500 Egyptian pounds for a 10kg parcel & usually arrive within 5 days. However you will have to pack the parcel yourself.
If you would like to email me, I will supply you with my friends contact details so that you can call/ email him if you need any help with this in Cairo. I have already asked for his OK with this & he is happy to help.
All the best...........Debbie
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
Thanks again Debbie!
Email sent!
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
A very popular option on my trip was to throw out/give away old clothes and use the space in your rucksack for bringing home souvenirs!
The trips are so active there is very little need for smart clothes and laundry services are a bit rough so things tend to come out a bit brown tinged and worse for wear anyway. A few of the experienced travellers on the trip had deliberately hoarded nearly-worn-out clothes throughout the year and then left them behind at various points on the trip. I caught onto the idea as I was in the process of losing weight on the trip and had only taken cheap 'for now' clothes with me as I was not plannning to be the same weight for long anyway... and I gave my clothes away in two batches and brought home a full-size living room rug in their place![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Others ditched sleeping bags that had seen better days - the hotel staff were delighted to receive them to sell on to other travellers and earn a little cash. and we all saved on the costs and stress of wondering if souvenire would make it home....
I would definitely do the same again and am already building a stash of clothes to take on my next trip!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Re: Shipping stuff home from Egypt
Good advice but that's not going to happen anytime soon. I go out and buy more clothes for my vacations.