ymdtzx Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 So I already know how to fly with a bass, but the problem often arises when I need to take international flights from London. It's quite a challenge to travel with a large suitcase, a bass hard case, and a small carry-on case on the train to London. As an international student, I don't have the time to get a driver's license and rent a car. In the past, when I had to return to my home country, I would usually ship my bass ahead of time. This not only incurs high shipping costs but also taxes - yes, I have to pay taxes multiple times for the same bass, even though it's been in my possession for many years. So, I'm wondering if there are any companies that offer a service to ship and store my bass at Heathrow Airport? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymdtzx Posted August 3, 2023 Author Share Posted August 3, 2023 Oh, The adivse to this question might determine whether my next custom bass will be a short-scale detachable travel bass or an archtop.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDean Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 Get a coach instead. It'll take longer than the train, but would get you directly to the airport and will be cheaper. You may have to pay a small surcharge for excess luggage depending on their policy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 This company has shops on every terminal at Heathrow: https://www.excess-baggage.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymdtzx Posted August 3, 2023 Author Share Posted August 3, 2023 7 minutes ago, MichaelDean said: Get a coach instead. It'll take longer than the train, but would get you directly to the airport and will be cheaper. You may have to pay a small surcharge for excess luggage depending on their policy though. Oh, I think this could be the best option. I found that there are indeed shuttle buses to the airport. I can ask the bus company to see if I can get a baggage cart right after getting off the bus. Even if I purchase an extra ticket for the bass, it would still be little cheaper than buying a train ticket to London！ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymdtzx Posted August 3, 2023 Author Share Posted August 3, 2023 11 minutes ago, Mykesbass said: This company has shops on every terminal at Heathrow: https://www.excess-baggage.com/ It seems like they don't offer a service to deliver from my doorstep in Cardiff to the airport terminal. I guess I need to contact them and inquire about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 5 minutes ago, ymdtzx said: It seems like they don't offer a service to deliver from my doorstep in Cardiff to the airport terminal. I guess I need to contact them and inquire about it. I don't know anything about them except I see them every time I go to Heathrow. Sounds like the coach is a much better idea. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 This link may be of help to you. https://www.ism.org/advice/brexit-instruments-equipment#:~:text=If you don't use,you take them through customs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 (edited) Have you considered just keeping one bass in each country? Gives you an excuse to buy another bass, after all. Edited August 3, 2023 by tauzero Stray 'd' 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymdtzx Posted August 3, 2023 Author Share Posted August 3, 2023 3 hours ago, tauzero said: Have you considered just keeping one bass in each country? Gives you an excuse to buy another bass, after all. I have indeed considered this in the past, but the reality is that each year I may have new basses while I'm in the UK. Some of them are purchased in the UK, while others are custom-made and shipped to the UK after completion... Another issue is that every time I return to the UK, I often go to new accommodation - I haven't found a suitable place for long-term rent yet, so sometimes I move to a shared house and sometimes to a student flat. So when I leave the UK, I either have to store those belongings for several months（Which may cost more than the shipping fee and tax）, or take them all back home with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AizekDon Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 (edited) Navigating the journey as an international student with a bass sounds like quite the adventure! Shipping ahead does sound pricey, especially with those repeat taxes. I haven't come across specific companies that store instruments at Heathrow, but it might be worth exploring luggage storage services that could accommodate your bass for short-term periods. Additionally, considering your situation, it might also be useful to look into cheap business class flights to ease some of the travel stress, especially for those long hauls. They sometimes offer more generous baggage allowances, which could be a game-changer for you. Edited March 1 by AizekDon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 On 03/08/2023 at 06:42, ymdtzx said: So I already know how to fly with a bass, 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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