Hi I’m considering buying a board in Germany and flying back with it. I’m trying to figure out how much it would cost baggage charges, ETC.
I’m wondering is there any extra custom charges or… I figure if it is “used’ it probably wouldn’t have tariff charges, but don’t know how I would prove it is used?
Anybody have any incite on how that works. Thanks
You’ve had that board forever. It came with you from home originally. Now you’re just taking it back home.
I’d check Air Cargo- could be the way to go for ease, cost and packaging to minimize the likelihood of damage.
flown surfboards international many times, shouldnt be an issue, check with the airline for oversized fees. if you’re lucky you might even get the self checkout discount
print out the airlines surfboard checked bag requirements including size and cost. Best case you avoid any issues and sneak by with a standard bag fee, but a lot depends on the discretion of the check in agent who often has no idea what to do with a surfboard. Sometimes they try to reject it due to size and sometimes they will try to layer fees and in either case you will need to educate them on the airline policy (and printed guidelines will help). Since “foil board” isn’t going to be on the airline’s page, you can figure out whether it is more advantageous to categorize it as a surfboard, kitesurfing equipment or something else (and stick with that story since they won’t know the difference). Just mentally prepare to pay the stated fee, be cooperative and don’t bother trying to negotiate it if/when they bring it up. Hope for the best but expect the worst.
Always travel with a luggage scale and stick to the weight requirements since going over gets really expensive (layered fees) and repacking at the airport check in counter is unnecessary stress for everyone.
Never had any issues with customs.
Thanks souch for this helpful info
Flown the last 3 years about 14 trips to South Africa on united. Board goes as checked baggage
Never had an issue