TORONTO — A new start-up service called Grabr seems rife with potential for smuggling and other dodgy pursuits but it’s the latest trend in the new peer-to-peer sharing economy: making a profit on your unused checked baggage allowance by carrying goods for other people.

“Get any item from around the world delivered to you by a trusted traveller going your way” says the Grabr website (grabr.io). According to reports, the site has raised nearly US$3.5 million to get its business off the ground.

Users post their ‘grab’ and travellers then make offers to deliver it. Users then choose the best offer, set up secure payment (only released upon delivery) and meet the traveller in a public place to receive their item. “Any item from the world, finally yours”, says the website.