How to choose the best international parcel services
Nowadays, it is not uncommon for people to have friends, family or business associates who live in different parts of the world. And there are plenty of ways to stay in touch with people around the world, like texting, live video chatting, instant messaging, or sending emails. But if you want to send a Christmas gift to your aunt who lives abroad, for example, you can use an international parcel service. The demand for deliveries between countries and between continents has been steadily increasing over the years. If you are not familiar with the package delivery industry, choosing the right courier service can be a very confusing task. Here are some tips on choosing the best international parcel services:
1. The first thing you need to do is verify the exact location of the business. If the service provider is close to your pick-up point, it will save you time and money.
2. If you plan to send important documents to an international address, opt for overseas courier services instead of local ones. Many international courier companies offer express overnight package delivery to nearby countries.
3. Instead of choosing well-known courier companies, you can opt for an intermediary package delivery service provider. The services provided by intermediary providers are often more affordable than those of the major courier companies.
4. Always be aware of the compensation offered by the courier company in case your package is damaged or lost. The amount of compensation varies between companies and services, but you can generally get up to $100 per item. What is more surprising, although the intermediary couriers are usually less expensive than the established ones, both offer comparable compensation.
5. If you wish to ship a valuable item, it is advisable that you purchase shipping insurance for your package. The insurance is offered at an affordable price and can cover items worth up to $2,000. It is also strongly recommended to check the terms and conditions before approving the payment of the additional surcharge.
6. There are several types of international delivery services, including Express and Rapid options. Learn about the functionalities offered by each type of service so that you can find the one that suits your needs. Find out about the delivery time, rate, as well as the terms and conditions.
7. Although international shipments do not normally have a package size limit, most courier companies will ask you about the measurements of your package. This is to determine which type of shipping you should choose. Generally, larger packages are shipped by air or sea, while smaller ones are delivered in containers.