4 Expert Tips For Sending A Parcel To The USA

4-expert-tips-for-sending-parcels-to-the-usa

Shipping parcels to the United States of America can seem rather daunting.

Whether you're sending a parcel to a loved one, or perhaps you're a small business owner needing to ship and distribute products across the states - there are a few things worth knowing about sending items to the USA.

Sending a parcel to a destination such as the USA can seem almost too overwhelming, but when the right research and preparation has been completed, shipping your parcels to America can be a surprisingly easy process.

At NI Parcels, we know a thing or two about shipping parcels across the globe. We're here to shed a light on shipping to the USA to make the whole process much more digestible and a lot less scary...

4 Expert Tips For Sending A Parcel To The USA

1. Research country-specific restrictions and regulations.

Every country has its own country-specific restrictions and regulations when it comes to shipping, and America is no exception. Like many countries, the US has a list of prohibitions and restrictions on what can be imported. It's so important to read through these lists before booking a shipment, to avoid any additional fees, delays or problems with the parcel.

2. Suitable packaging.

When your item is being transported to a destination such as America, it's important to consider the many stages of transit that it will go through. The reality is that the item will be sorted by a machine, before being transported alongside tens or hundreds of other heavy packages.

So when it comes to shipping a parcel anywhere in the world, we always recommend that our customers send their items in strong, double-walled cardboard boxes - especially if the item is heavier than 5kg.

For added protection to your item, it's always a good idea to have some internal packaging such as bubble-wrap or polystyrene. Although damage in transit is pretty rare, it most often occurs when items are not securely packaged.

Read even more advice on how to properly package a parcel.

3. Customs paperwork.

Customs is one of the most important factors to consider when shipping a parcel to the USA. Customs clearance plays a huge part in all shipments going in and out of the US, and therefore it is absolutely vital to adhere to customs requirements. This means that you will need a customs invoice for your shipment - the only exception to this is if you are sending documents.

In a nutshell, the customs invoice will inform the customs authorities of what you are shipping, the value of each item, as well as the reason you are sending the item (eg. gift, business samples). The invoice will determine how much tax and duties you will need to pay, so it's important to ensure it is completed accurately and clearly.

One important thing to remember when sending parcels to America is that duty and tax is imposed at point of entry into the USA, so any charges cannot be included in courier quotes. It will also be the responsibility of the parcel recipient to resolve these charges, should they be imposed.

When you book your shipment with NI Parcels, you can easily generate your customs documents to fill in, print, sign and attach to your parcel.

4. Transit times.

When it comes to shipping across the globe to a destination such as the USA, we always recommend to ship a few days early, just in case there is a delay at customs clearance. Courier transit times won't be able to take any customs delays into account, so if the items you are sending are particularly time-sensitive, it's always best to ship them as early as you can to avoid disappointment.

So those are our expert tips on sending your parcel to the USA like a pro. By following our advice, getting your items to the USA will be a piece of cake.

If you have any questions about sending parcels with NI Parcels, give us a shout or find out more below!

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How To Save Money On Courier Costs - 10 Creative Tips

Save Money (1)

How To Save Money On Courier Costs - 10 Creative Tips

Sending parcels isn't cheap.

No matter whether you're posting a birthday present to a relative abroad one a year, or perhaps a small business owner shipping products daily - courier costs are ones we could really do without.

With that in mind, we at NI Parcels thought it would be a good idea to write an informative post with our tops tips for saving money on courier costs.

We understand that, as well as being an expensive task, sending parcels is often a boring, frustrating and stressful one too. Few people have time or motivation to sit down and research how to spend less on their deliveries.

So as it is our area of expertise, let us do the work for you and take a read of our Top Ten Tips For Saving Money On Courier Costs.

1. Be organised

Being well organised with your parcel deliveries can help you save some cash. We always recommend booking your deliveries as far in advance as you can and selecting the courier's Economy service instead of Express when possible, as it is considerably cheaper and in most cases, there is just one day difference in terms of delivery times.

2. Size matters

When booking a delivery with a courier, the price of your parcel will often be based on its size. For that reason, it's a good idea to package your item in as small a box as possible to keep the costs to a minimum. Just ensure that the box is not too small and can withstand the weight of the item it's carrying.

3. Weight matters too

Likewise, weight will affect the price, so remove any unneccessary items which may make your parcel heavier. For example, package your item with lightweight materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts what will not add to the kilos.

4. Be accurate

You will need to be as accurate as possible when booking your parcel delivery with the courier. If your parcel is even just the slightest bit larger or heavier than you originally described, you could face unpleasant oversize charges or worse - the courier may refuse to collect your parcel altogether. We've seen this happen with parcels that are just 1kg heavier than they were claimed to be.

We recommend purchasing a set of shipping scales if you frequently send parcels as these are more accurate than other kinds of scales.

5. Buy packaging in bulk

Buying a single box every time you have a parcel to send can add up and contribute a significant amount to the overall cost of your deliveries. Buying packaging in bulk works out much cheaper if you do send items fairly frequently.

And, if you purchase quality packaging, you can reuse your boxes and save even more money in the long run.

6. Claim your VAT back

Taxable businesses should always remember to claim VAT back on deliveries at the end of the tax year. Just make sure to keep all your receipts!

7.  Mind the excess charges

Always make sure that the price you are originally quote by the courier, is the final price you pay. Some couriers may add in fees for compensation, VAT maybe excluded from the end total or there may be an NI surcharge. Do your research to avoid nasty surprises on the checkout page.

8. Take out compensation

Speaking of compensation - always take it out to ensure your items are protected from damage or loss. If not, you may not be eligible for a refund or be able to claim anything back, forcing you to lose money overall.

Many couriers will offer a level of free compensation. For example, at NI Parcels, we offer £50 free compensation cover per item, which you can increase up to the value of £500 for a small additional fee, if you wish. Before choosing your level of cover, always check out the courier's list of prohibited items to ensure that your parcel contents are protected against damage or loss.

9.  Stop driving to the Post Office!

It's not just the postage costs that put a dent in your wallet, when sending parcels, the fuel it takes to drive to the post office/depot and the time out of your day are also added expenses.

Avoid wasting time and fuel by using a door to door service that can collect the parcel directly from you.

1o. Use a courier comparison website

When we make a purchase of any kind, we tend to shop around (usually online) to find the best deals. Booking a courier is no different.

Never book with the first courier you come across -  see which company offers the lowest price and the best value for money. The great news is that there are websites out there who do the shopping around for you - like NI Parcels!

We provide a courier comparison service which allows you to enter the details of your parcel and view a list of reduced rate quotes from top providers like Parcelforce, DPD and City Air Express. Booking with a courier comparison website like NI Parcels can be up to 80% cheaper than booking directly with the courier.

 

We hope this money saving advice piece helps you cut back on your delivery costs and if you have any questions, please get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help.

Got a parcel to send? Get a quote quote from us now to see how much you could save.

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5 Things To Remember When Shipping Parcels Internationally

 Stockholm

When it comes to shipping parcels internationally, we know a thing or two here at NI Parcels.

There are so many factors to consider when sending a parcel abroad - whether you're a small business exporting internationally or simply an individual sending a gift to a loved one across the globe - whatever your reason may be, doing your homework is super important.

Sending items overseas can be a little bit daunting, whether it be the cost, the shipping times or mind-boggling country specific regulations - it can be quite a lot to get your head around.

Thankfully, we're experts at this kind of thing and we're here to shed some light on sending parcels internationally to ease your worries.

Here are 5 things to remember when shipping parcels internationally.

1. Researching country specific restrictions and regulations is so important.

One of the most important factors of shipping items internationally is doing your homework on country specific restrictions and regulations. For example, you're not allowed to send a pair of matching shoes to South Africa, Mexico or India. That's crazy, right? But these are the kinds of things that you should make yourself aware of before sending any parcels.

If you're sending a parcel outside of the EU, it's absolutely essential to complete and attach a customs declaration to the package - and it's just as important to fill in the declaration correctly. Not doing so could cause major problems for your shipment.

2. Understand international shipping costs so you don't pay more than you have to.

One of the most off-putting factors about sending parcels internationally is the cost - but would you be surprised if we told you that you shouldn't be so scared?

You absolutely do not have to break the bank when sending items overseas. Courier comparison services (such as NI Parcels!) is a guaranteed way to save money on international deliveries - no matter who you are or what your reason for shipping may be.

We work alongside some of the best couriers in the industry such as DPD and Parcelforce. We have negotiated fantastic low cost deals with these couriers, so that means you get the same high quality service for a fraction of the price! In fact, you can save up to 80% on your international courier costs, by booking with NI Parcels.

You can get a quote for your international parcel delivery any time from NI Parcels!

3. Secure packaging is absolutely essential.

It's a no brainer that you want your parcel to arrive at its destination safe and sound. If you're using a reliable courier renowned for their high quality services, the chances of damage to your parcel during transit is incredibly low - and most would offer some sort of compensation cover in the unlikely event that it would happen. At NI Parcels, we provide £50 free compensation cover on every single shipment, which can be increased during book if you feel it necessary.

However, for peace of mind, always remember to select appropriate packaging that best suits the contents of your packet. Hard, double-walled cardboard boxes are usually the best option if you're shipping items in a box, as they're sturdy and are less likely to come undone during transit. Consider the items inside too, ensure that they are fastened securely and enclosed from damage.

4. Don't forget a return address.

In the occurrence that your item can't be delivered and needs to be returned to you as the sender, it's vital to include a return address on the parcel. This way, it'll be returned to you free of charge and you will avoid any kind of hassle.

5. Research restricted/prohibited goods.

Relating back to the first point about country specific restrictions and regulations - when sending a parcel anywhere in the world, ensure that you're not sending any prohibited goods. Not every item can be carried on every service - and all countries have their own individual rules and restrictions. For example, a general rule is that liquids and perishable items cannot be sent abroad - so be sure to check your chosen courier's list of prohibited items before booking your shipment.

Need to send a parcel overseas? Get a quick quote from NI Parcels today!

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Student Shipping Services

uni bag

With My Parcels you can send a parcel anywhere in the world quickly, safely and cheaply...

Our services offer the perfect shipping solution for small business users and individuals who have an item to send.

If you are a student, however, who needs to send their belongings to uni or home again every single term, we recommend using a specialist Student Shipping service - like My Baggage.

My Baggage - Smart Student Shipping

My Baggage is the UK’s No.1 Student Shipping Company, specialising in transporting students’ belongings to and from uni.

Their low cost shipping service is perfect for those on a student budget and their huge 30kg weight allowance means you can send a huge amount of belongings.

My Baggage is the perfect alternative to student storage and is also much cheaper and more convenient than sending your luggage as airline baggage.

How Does My Baggage Work?

With My Baggage, you simply book your shipment and pay for it online. Once you’ve booked, you will be sent labels to print off and attach to your item. Then one of My Baggage’s drivers will collect your luggage from you and deliver it to where it needs to go.

How-does-it-work

As well as full door to door service, My Baggage also have full online tracking and SMS and email notifications to keep you updated on the whereabouts of your shipment.

They offer fast delivery times and flexible booking. You can book your shipment up to 10pm the night before or as far in advance as you like.

My Baggage delivers to all universities in the UK and 200+ countries worldwide. It’s an extremely popular option for Northern Irish students studying on the Mainland, international students or those going on a year abroad.

Watch the My Baggage Instructional Video

If you’re a student who could use some help with your luggage, visit Mybaggage.com to get a quote now.

More information:

College Packing List

Website: Mybaggage.com

My Baggage Scholarship, you can read more about it here.

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3 Common Shipping Mistakes Small Businesses Should Avoid

3 common shipping mistakes small businesses should avoid

It's no surprise that the two most important things small businesses consider when shipping their products to their customers are 1) the quality of the product and 2) the customer's satisfaction.

However, there are an entire array of factors controlling how quickly, carefully or cost-effectively products travel from point A to point B - these factors can ultimately impact the customer's satisfaction, regardless of the quality of the product.

In small business, logistics and shipping mistakes are inevitable. However, when considering these carefully, they're often easy to spot and even easier to prevent for the future. Here at NI Parcels, we've got your back. Here are 3 of the most common shipping mistakes to help you look out for them and do everything to avoid in the running of your small business.

1. Inaccurate Product Specification.

It's absolutely essential that dimensions and weights of items being sent are correct. If you input them incorrectly into booking systems, you run the risk of it leading to unwanted surcharges and increased shipping costs. Taking that extra bit of time and care to measure items accurately can save an enormous amount of time and money.

2. Poor Packaging.

This may well be one of the most overlooked steps when it comes to small business shipping. It can't be emphasized enough how important it is to ensure your goods are packaged properly. If they are not, you run the risk of returns and very disappointed customers when the items arrive damaged on their doorstep. Ultimately, trying to save money by sending items in boxes that are too small, too weak or without good internal packaging could end up costing you much more.

3. Shipping Internationally Without Doing The Research.

Particularly for small businesses, international sales are super exciting. However doing the research is key. If you haven't prepared and don't know what to expect from each country's tax code and regulations, it may result in a very awkward experience on your customer's doorstep - and ultimately, that isn't going to have a particularly great reflection on your business. Taking the time to research international shipping carefully and properly informing your customers will be wholly worth it in the long run.

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Christmas Parcel Delivery Cut Off Dates

Christmas Parcel Delivery Dates (1)

Do you have a special delivery this Christmas?

If so, please take note of our Christmas delivery cut off dates, to ensure that your parcel arrives on time.

Sending Parcels This Christmas

When sending a parcel in December, we recommend booking early and allowing for one extra day to prevent any delays which may occur.

Delays are very rare; the vast majority of our parcels arrive on their expected dates. However, as you can imagine, Christmas is a very busy period for the delivery drivers and as they are snowed under (pardon the pun) with shipments this can increase the chance of a delay.

Christmas Send By Dates

Below are our recommended send by dates, to ensure that your parcel arrives in time for Christmas. You may send a parcel after these dates, right up until 23rd December, however we can not guarantee that it will arrive before the big day.

Express/Economy Services

Next Day Services   - 18th Dec

48 hr / 2 day services - 17th Dec

2 - 3 day services - 16th Dec

3 - 5 day services - 15th Dec

Timed Services

Express 12.00 Service - 22nd Dec

Each of our couriers do have their own individual cut off dates. You can find more information on their own websites. Parcelforce.com, DPD.co.uk, Fedex.com, Captaincourier.co.uk, Cityairexpress.com  

 International Parcel Delivery This Christmas

You can send parcels within Northern Ireland, to ROI, mainland UK and worldwide with us this Christmas. If you’d like to send a parcel abroad this December, you can read our information on international Christmas deliveries.

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Sending Parcels Abroad For Christmas

Sending Parcels Abroad

If you need to send a parcel abroad this Christmas, NI Parcels can help!

Much like Santa Claus himself, we offer fast and reliable parcel delivery to 200+ countries worldwide. So if you have loved ones living overseas, we can get your gifts safely to them.

We have great low rates for our international deliveries. Excellent news for those with loved ones who have emigrated to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America and elsewhere.

Fast Overseas Christmas Delivery

When sending a parcel abroad, a major concern is delivery time. No one wants to send a thoughtful Christmas present in November, only to hear that it arrived mid February!

NI Parcels offers super speedy delivery times on parcels sent abroad. For example, you can book with us today, we’ll collect your Christmas gift tomorrow and deliver it to your Uncle Jim in New York within two days. He’ll be delighted!

Our delivery times will vary depending on the destination and the size of your parcel but the general delivery time for parcels sent abroad is 2-3 days. As Christmas can be a busy period for the delivery drivers, we recommend booking early and leaving an extra day to avoid any delays.

Full Online Parcel Tracking

NI Parcels offers an extremely convenient door to door service, as well as full online parcel tracking. So once the driver has collected your parcel, you can monitor its progress online and see when it will arrive with you.

Package Carefully

We know that when you’re sending a Christmas present, you want it to look exciting with bows and tinsel and fancy wrapping paper. However, we recommend packaging your Christmas present as securely as possible - in a strong, double walled cardboard box, if possible.

We also recommend taking a look at our prohibited and non-compensation items.

Low Cost International Parcel Delivery

We know you have enough costs to cover this Christmas and thankfully we offer excellent low prices on parcels sent worldwide. To find out how much it will cost to send your present abroad, and when it will be delivered, just get a quick quote on our homepage.

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10 Reasons Why You Should DEFINITELY Use NI Parcels

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Now there’s a chance we might be a tiny bit biased, but we’re pretty sure that NI Parcels is the just about the handiest service on the planet.

Well, at the very least, we offer the handiest parcel sending service on the planet.

If you’ve booked with us before you’ll know how cheap, easy to use and reliable we are. And if you haven’t yet booked, here are ten good reasons why you definitely should.

1. We’re cheap as chips!

With NI Parcels you can send a parcel from £5.99. We can save you up to a whopping 80% on your parcel deliveries if you usually book directly with couriers. And if your parcel is over 2kg, we can be considerably cheaper than the Post Office too.

2. Door to Door service

We offer door to door collection and delivery which means all you have to do is book online, put your item in a box, attach a label to it and hey presto - we’ll take care of the rest and deliver it to its destination, as if by magic.

3. We’re Northern Irish

And we all know that Northern Irish businesses are traditionally more reliable and trustworthy.*

(*Not actually statistically proven, but probably true on some level.)

weathers tar

4. Full tracking

To give you that extra peace of mind, we offer full tracking so you can keep an eye on your parcel every step of the way.

5. Excellent customer service. 

Our customer service team are the best in the business. You can contact them on live chat, via email or telephone and they’ll always be quick to respond and happy to help with any query.

6. We ship worldwide

We don’t just send parcels within NI. We send to Ireland, mainland UK, the rest of Europe and to over 200 countries worldwide. So if you need to send a pair of Speedos to your nephew Dave on his gap year in Brisbane, we’re the guys and gals to call.

worldwide

7. We care about Northern Irish businesses

NI Parcels is used regularly by hundreds of local businesses; from motor repair garages to jewellery designers and architects to online decor shops. We understand that keeping costs low is high priority for small businesses, and we’re confident that we’re the most cost effective option for the majority of them. We also offer users the chance to add credit to their accounts which is handy for repeat customers and you’ll get a nifty wee 5% off if you top up more than £100.

8. We’re so easy to use

We pride ourselves on the fact that NI Parcels is so easy to use. It takes just a few mere minutes to make a booking and you can do it on your computer, mobile or tablet. If you’re ever facing any problems, you can just give us a call and we’ll sort it out for you.

9. We’re wile craic

If you’ve read any of our blog posts (like this one, and this one, and this one), you’ll know that we like to have a bit of fun. As a Northern Irish business, we’re very passionate about our wee country and local culture, and we think it’s important to celebrate that. Here's a wee Facebook video we made!

10. You don’t even have to take our word for it

Of course, we have plenty of good things to say about ourselves, but our customers do too. We have hundreds of independent reviews with customers saying all sorts of lovely things about NI Parcels. If you need a second opinion to convince you, just take a look a look at our most recent reviews��featured on our 'about us' page.

 

Got a parcel to send? Book online now!

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Student Storage Services

student storageStudent Storage Services

If you're a student, studying away from home, you might consider using a student storage service...

Student storage is a great moving solution for students who have loads of luggage and no means of transporting it home at the beginning and end of term. After all - airline baggage doesn't exactly come cheap.

Placing your luggage in student storage means you can travel light and with the knowledge that your belongings will be waiting safely for you upon your return.

However, as convenient as student storage is, there are alternatives out there which may be better suited to your needs....

Luggage Shipping - A Student Storage Alternative

Luggage shipping, for example, is a great way to transport your belongings, without having to worry about adding extra luggage to your flight or carrying heavy bags as you travel by ferry, bus, train or car.

There are many specialist companies out there who will ship your luggage at a great low price. My Baggage is the No.1 Student Shipping Company, providing low cost luggage shipping to 200+ countries worldwide.

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My Baggage is the ultimate alternative to student storage. With storage, you'll often find that you have boxed away important items that you need and if you're miles away from the storage facility, you may have no way to get them back until your return visit.

With luggage shipping, you have the benefit of being able to forward your items so they are waiting for you when you arrive at home.  And as most luggage shipping companies have large weight allowances, nothing will get left behind.

For some great information on comparing student storage and student shipping, check out this informative blog post on the Uni Baggage website.

 

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How Not To Deliver A Parcel

HOW-NOT-TO-DELIVER-A-PARCEL

Delivering parcels is a tricky business, but one we have mastered at NI Parcels. Unfortunately for some couriers it doesn’t always go as well. Here are some examples of how not to deliver a parcel:

Shipping a battery in this box:

1

 

Leaving without finding where that one parcel went:

2

 

Leaving a parcel on the roof:

3

 


Fooling burglars with this sneaky hiding spot:

4

 

Using this even sneakier hiding spot:

6

 

 

Making a special delivery........to the living room:

5

If you need to send a parcel in N. Ireland or the UK check out NI Parcels and if you need to send a Parcel in Ireland visit Irish Parcels.