Nowadays, sending a parcel within the UK and even abroad has been made much easier, thanks to a good number of courier services as well as better regulations and technology that make for faster and easier shipping. But whether you are sending parcels because of your e-commerce business or are simply sending parcels as gifts to vendors or partners, it’s always best to use a good courier service that can give you precisely what you require. Here, then, are some top tips to choosing the right courier service for shipping parcels within the UK or abroad.
Getting a quote and a price
The first step, of course, is to do your research on some of the most reliable courier services available, and you can easily do this online. Don’t forget to check reviews from various customers and check out the regulations imposed by the shipping or courier service as well. Here’s a tip: it is better to get a quote from a delivery or courier service only when you have already prepared and packed your parcel so the weight and the measurements will be accurate.
Some courier services will send quotes online as long as you supply them with essential details such as the weight of the box, the box’s size, and where you would like them to ship it. You can then easily compare quotes from different courier services and choose the one that’s right for your budget and needs.
Some important considerations
But there are other important considerations you should think about other than price when it comes to choosing the courier service. Some of these considerations include how quickly and how fast you want the courier service to deliver your parcel (if you want it to be delivered on the same day or the next day, this entails more careful research). Another essential consideration is whether you would like the service to collect your package, or whether you are okay with a drop off service. You may also want to consider a courier service which can offer protection coverage for your items, especially if they are valuable.
As already mentioned, there are more than a few delivery and courier services within the UK who also deliver outside the country, but you may also want to think about the kind of parcel or package you have. There are services which specialise in specific requirements, such as same-day delivery, and there are other services which can offer reliable delivery if you are sending heavy or bulky items.
Sending parcels internationally
If you are preparing a parcel for international shipping, you should make sure the customs details of the parcel are complete, so your parcel isn’t detained or stopped overseas. As of the moment, you can easily send any parcel within the UK and to European countries without any customs documentation or paperwork, and you will usually not be liable for any customs fees or charges, either. But if you are planning to send a parcel outside the European Union, especially to places such as the United States, Australia, India, or China, you will have to complete a declaration form for customs and may also have to pay customs duty.
Of course, whether you are shipping abroad or domestically, you also have to make sure you are using the proper packaging so your parcel and its contents are adequately protected, as confirmed by UK Packaging, a well-known supplier of packaging supplies in London. For instance, always go for a sturdy outer and inner box, and use materials such as packing foam, peanuts, and bubble wrap for extra protection.