Updated 2026
If you're accumulating items you want to keep but your bag is full, shipping by sea is the cheapest option. A box of souvenirs via sea mail costs $40-80 depending on weight and destination. Air mail costs $100-300. If you're in no hurry, sea is the way.
The catch: Sea mail takes 6-12 weeks. Sometimes longer. You need to be comfortable not seeing your items for months. But if you're buying things at month three of a six-month trip, sea shipping means they arrive home around the time you do.
How to ship by sea:
- Visit a post office and ask about international sea mail.
- Pack items in a sturdy box with padding. Customs officials will inspect it, so pack thoughtfully.
- Fill out customs forms detailing contents and value. Be honest about value (affects tariffs).
- Get a tracking number and insurance if shipping valuable items.
- Mail it. Track periodically, but don't expect daily updates with sea mail.
Alternatives to sea mail:
- Parcel forwarding services (like Shipito or MyUS) if the destination country doesn't have reliable mail
- Local shipping companies in some countries (sometimes cheaper than national post)
- Cargo consolidators if shipping multiple boxes
The key advantage: Sea shipping is cheap. You can mail home things you couldn't carry. The key disadvantage: Time. You won't see your items for months.
For most travelers, sea mail is perfect. You keep souvenirs without carrying weight, and the cost is minimal.