Has anyone...

used the normal post service to send packages (such as clothing) to England from the US?  If so, did you have to use special boxes?  How long did it take to reach you?  I'm trying to figure out how to ship my more winterish clothing, pots & pans, etc. 

I've done it quite a bit using the U.S Mail....but you may want to check with them about how you tape the boxes up, they've got got some do's and don't's about taping.

I sent 2 boxes 2 weeks ago, I think combined they were 40-50 lbs in weight and it cost me close to $100. But it was all my heavy winter coats and sweaters etc, so I thought it was easier to ship than replace.  The lady just told me to double tape the seams, and I used packing tape that we use to mail things from my office. I'm just re-using sturdy boxes that our supplies arrrive in - ones with no rips or bent places. She told me to think about all the weather it might face - humidity, dampness, getting rained on etc.

I've got 3 more boxes to go, then my pc and that's it. I went the surface route so will take about another month to arrive at the least. I used the sheets I was taking to wrap my pots and pans so they'd not scratch.. that sort of thing.

Missy - did you send the 2 boxes that arrived in two weeks by air? or surface?

I sent the majority of my stuff over via the USPS.  I just used regular boxes I bought at wal-mart...I think they were 2 x 2 x2...total, i sent about 10 boxes and the cost was between $600 - $700....all were sent from NC to Middlesbrough and arrived within 3 weeks...one was sent surface and took about 5 weeks to arrive

Ta!  That's totally within my moving costs that will be reinbursed by the school...cool.  I'll check out boxes at Walmart & Target.