M-Bags to Send Books to the UK?

I've been trying to find ways to cut on postage of all my stuff for my move. I remember someone one here telling me about M-Bags to send my books in? How do these work? I googled "M-bags" and the site I looked at said to take the books already boxed up to the post office and then ask them about the bags. Has anyone used these before?

Here's a link to a thread about m-bags. It seems to depend on your local post office....some want things boxed then placed in the bags, some want them shrink-wrapped, etc. You'll have to check with your local post office to see how they will accept them. It is considerably cheaper, especially if you have a  lot of books. Good luck!


http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=18616.0

Thanks!

I have used 2 POs (both in CA), to ship via M bags. Both times I showed up with my books in sturdy, taped boxes with the destination address and return address and they were fine with it. The first shipment made it with no issues and took about 8 weeks. I am still waiting for the second shipment, and don't expect them until late August.

Thanks Courtney...

It'll be about a $15 different between M-Bag postage and regular surface mail, so I'll see what the post office says, if they don't do them I'll just send them regularly 

I am sending about 14 boxes of books via M-bags.  Does anyone know if I should fill out a C3 customs form?  I definitely don't want to pay tax or customs fees. 

I already spoke to the people at my post office.  They looked through the big book of rules and couldn't find any packing/packaging requirements for books in M-bags, so they told me I could pack them however I wanted.  Mine are already boxed up.

Thanks.

I did not fill out a C3, but if I was supposed to I was unaware.

I sent one box before I moved and another 3 boxes the last  time I went home (June). The first time I filled out the white post office customs form. In June, (different PO), they had me fill out the little green form. I mentioned that the previous time I had filled out the white form but they didn't seem to care. I don't know if it makes a difference that you are shipping so many boxes.

Did you guys send them ground or air?  I thought I remembered reading that you could chose even for M-Bags, and it was still cheaper than the typical price for each respective method under normal shipping.  I really want to use M-Bags, but I also need my books in a timely manner for uni.  Not TOO urgent, but hopefully within a month.

From what I can gather on the USPS site there are air mail m-bags and economy mail m-bags.

http://ircalc.usps.gov/intl_bulk_speed.asp?CID=10143

Mine went economy. It was pretty slow but I knew that in advance so didn't have an issue with it. The books I didn't want to wait for I brought in my luggage with me.

I did a theoretical calculation for a 20 lb M-Bag for air vs. surface mail.  The surface was $31, and air was $56, so there is a significant difference.  Regular surface is quoted as taking just as long as M-Bags (4-8 wks), so it's definitely worth the savings.

I sent 6 bags MBag, the cheapest economy and it was $144 for all of them.  Weight maxes out at 44 lbs.  You can go to the post office and ask about it.  They will quote it all ways - air, ground and what I now affectionately refer to as the slow boat.  I received my first MBag here within 6 weeks, 2nd bag showed up 2 days later.  Still waiting on 4 more bags to show up.

I wrapped each book in plastic wrap and then boxed it.  Box was then labeled with my address here and marked "postage paid MBag".  The customs form is filled out and attached to the MBag.  When you go to the post office, they will give you the tags and such that need to be attached to the bag.

I have been very pleased with the result so far.  The bags looked pretty tattered but the boxes were just fine.

~BEG

Thanks BEG

I boxed up the books, didn't water proof them but oh well I'll take the risk. Going to the post office later with the boxes and will ask about them

Just sent the two boxes off (combined weight of just under 25 lbs) for $23 (for Economy)  It was very easy, just asked for an M-Bag for books, was given the tag to fill out and the customs form and that was it.

It's a pretty easy process.  I sent a few and they got here just fine.  I boxed them in small boxes, labelled with address and "postage paid M Bag" and took them to my post office where I filled out the green customs form and the tags.