The moment when a child leaves to study abroad (whether for a basic degree, Erasmus, or a Master’s degree) is full of pride but also… anxiety. How will they transport their life in boxes? How will you send them warm clothes in the winter? And most importantly, how will you send them the infamous “Greek snack” safely?
Spourgitis Transport has been standing by Greek families for over 80 years, making student moves to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy and England (UK) a breeze.
1. What is allowed (and not allowed) to send in the student package
When preparing the box, organization is everything.
What parents send most often:
- Clothing & Shoes: Prefer to put them in vacuum storage bags before putting them in the box. You will save a lot of space!
- Books & Notes: Be careful with the weight. Books are heavy. Divide them into smaller boxes, so that each one does not exceed 25-30 kilos, so that the box does not tear during transport.
- Homemade Food (Food): “Transporting food to students” is our specialty. Dry foods, oil (in special packaging), cheeses (airtight / vacuum sealed), rusks, etc. are allowed.
🚫 What is NOT allowed: It is prohibited to send flammable materials (perfumes, sprays), perishable products without proper preservation (e.g. fresh meat) and of course illegal substances.
2. England (UK) – Beware of Customs!
While for countries like Germany or the Netherlands, parcels travel freely, if your child is studying in England,the legislation has changed due to Brexit.Every box goes through customs.
Don’t worry, though. As UK specialists, we take care of the whole process. If you are sending “Used Clothes” or “Personal Effects”, the tax is usually zero. You simply write us a list of what is inside the box, and our in-house customs department clears everything for you, delivering the package directly to the child’s home or residence.
3. How to choose boxes (Packaging 101)
The number 1 reason for damage is poor packaging.
- ALWAYS use double-sided boxes(heavy duty). You can easily find them in large department stores. Simple boxes from the supermarket will melt from the humidity or weight.
- Close the box with thick duct tape forming an “H” (i.e. closing the seam in the middle and both edges).
- Do not leave empty space inside the box. If the box is sagged in the center, it can wrinkle. Fill the gaps with newspapers or old clothes.
4. Why not go by post or courier?
The answer is simple: Cost and Door-to-Door service. A 30 kg parcel by international post or courier can cost you over €150-200, while there is a risk that the child will have to run to local offices to pick it up (difficult when you don’t have a car abroad).
With Spourgitis Transport, our prices are unbeatable (up to 70% cheaper), we offer pickup from your home (in Athens, Thessaloniki, etc.) and delivery directly to the student’s door.
