KLM Excess Baggage Costs

Bubba9

I'm heading to Shanghai next month from Dublin via Amsterdam with KLM. Heard a horror story on Liveline today of a guy paying almost a grand excess baggage fees with KLM to Abu Dhabi...apparently they charge €32/kg to some destinations. Couldn't find anything on their site or on Google about charges to China. Anyone able to help? Thanks in advance.

BuffyBot

Second google hit for KLM Excess Baggage

www.klm.com/generic/bin/145_52355.pdf

Miss Fluff

Hi Bubba9, I live in Beijing. They will destroy you in Dublin for excess baggage when flying KLM, lucklily had nice enough chap at airport last time and came to 500 instead of what should have been a grand if that is any consolation. If you are flying KLM they have a code share with Great Southern China Airlines so bring your laptop too as they will upgrade you to business with no qualms. If it is KLM, they are way less stingy than British Airways and Air France so really depends on how much you are bringing. If you can give me an idea of how much stuff you intend to bring I can tell you.

Bubba9

Thanks for the info Miss Fluff. Not worried about going out but I’ve been “instructed” to bring back items such as silk douvet covers and might pick up some cheap electrical stuff. Will be flying back from Beijing. Do you know if some of the bigger shops there ship stuff and is it expensive? I know the voltage is the same and the plugs look similar to ours, will I need a plug adaptor? Once again, thanks for your help.

Miss Fluff

No problem, you will love China, how long will you be here? Things like duvet covers are deceptively heavy so be selective about what you choose. They are ruthless in Beijing Airport and will charge you every cent overweight. As far as I'm aware, the bigger shops don't ship stuff so you would need to sort that out independently. Not sure of costs but I can send you some links if you like. Also, don't worry about bringing an adaptor, all stores stock universal adaptors that fit 3/4 plugs in each so you will have no problem there. It's 37 here today, September is a little cooler but be prepared!!

Bubba9

I’ll be there for almost a fortnight. I hate shopping...half an hour in a shop grabbing stuff would do me and no doubt I’ll be growled at for getting the wrong colours, etc. I’ll pass on the links, thanks....have some useful info in Lonely Planet. Pity that hotels don’t have scales so you know the weight of your stuff before heading for the airport. Once again, thanks for the info MF.

Miss Fluff

OK, well if shopping in Beijing, buy all your stuff at Ya Show Market which is at No. 58 Gongti Bei Lu in the Chaoyang District. You HAVE to haggle, general rule of thumb is whatever price they give you offer at most 20% of original price. They will go ballistic so then walk away and they will follow you and give it to you for close to what you ask. You have to be a ball breaker and don't go with the attitude "well it is still cheap by Western standards", they will fleece you otherwise. I bought a Chloe handbag (one of many lolers) the other day, was originally quoted 800RMB and got it for 110RMB so thats a pretty good indication. RMB is so handy too as basically there is 10RMB to the Euro. I'll be honest, duvet covers are way too bulky to carry, would be better bringing cushion covers and other silks, I made the mistake of buying a duvet set before and had to leave it at the airport, way too heavy to carry. No point in buying stuff for next to nothing and then being charged 10 times its worth to carry it back.