Exclusive delivery rates
More drop off points
More delivery services
Send a Parcel Abroad
Chances are, you will one day be sending a parcel or two abroad to friends; family or customers, so here are our tips on how to get the most bangs for your international postage buck.
Standard post vs courier services
The logistics involved in international shipping can be impressive, think multiple contractors, methods of transportation, and postal organizations.
If you’re sending a parcel or packet by surface mail to Australia, you can expect it to take a full three months to arrive Downunder, if not more. Other regions don’t fare much better, with deliveries to South America, Africa and Asia taking up to two months, and North American recipients waiting a not too speedy six weeks for theirs.
If time is of the essence, as it usually is, look into a courier service. Very often you’ll pay only a little more for a four day door-to-door premium service or a sub-fortnight economy service.
Plan backwards – rather than forwards
Rather than picking a “send” date, do the reverse and set a target “arrival” date. This will give you a safe window for when to have your items ready to send, and it’s definitely something you’ll want to stick to if you’re sending a parcel to arrive in time for the end-of-year holidays, for example.
Drop-off and pick-up logistics
While most courier companies will happily come to you to collect a parcel ready for sending, parcel drop-off points have become an increasingly popular option over the past few years.
Found at specific locations, generally shops, these drop-off points are a convenient way to get things rolling at a time that suits you. It’s a service that’s especially handy if you’re often out of home or the office.
If you’re booking an international courier online, you’ll be able to see what your drop-off and pick-up options are, and make a courier choice accordingly.
Weighing up the costs
Delivery time is one of the most important factors in choosing a courier service, with another being cost.
Typically, the more you pay, the quicker the delivery, and the more comprehensive the tracking information. If time is on your side, a less expensive service can be an option, but be sure to check what kind of tracking and liability features are available.
Other Information
Packing ready to send
You’ve chosen your courier and you’re readying your parcel for drop-off or pick-up. Take the time to make sure that your item is properly and safely packaged, and that your packaging can withstand the bumps, knocks and temperature fluctuations that might occur when on the road or in the air.
Tip: Void filler is a popular choice for ensuring your parcel’s contents sit safely within their packaging, but it can be a pricey item, and one that you need to go out of your way to buy. Consider scrunched-up newspaper, bubble-wrap, or recyclable materials that can function as cushioning.
Getting through customs
It’s not just travelers who have to get through customs at the end of a long flight; parcels have to do the same thing.
This is where you need to get friendly with customs documentation and the specific customs requirements of the countries you’re planning on shipping too.
If you’ve booked your courier online, you’ll be given a downloadable or web-based form for providing a detailed listing of your parcel’s contents. Being thorough, comprehensive and descriptive is key to lessening the chances of a parcel being held up.
While you’re online, be sure to check the importation rules and restrictions of the country you’re shipping to, some items are forbidden for obvious reasons, but others are outlawed seemingly arbitrarily. For example, audio cassettes and sports equipment can’t be sent to India, wooden parcels and playing cards are a no-go in Mexico, and calendars, catalogues and magazines are on the restricted list in Australia.
Sending your parcel off into the world
Now it’s time to wait, and keep a careful eye on your parcel’s shipping progress via its tracking information. Most courier companies provide milestone tracking updates that you can follow online to check that your parcel is on schedule or to follow up if needed.
Tip: Share the tracking link or number with the parcel recipient so they know to be there to greet the parcel upon its arrival.
Sending your parcel off into the world
Now it’s time to wait, and keep a careful eye on your parcel’s shipping progress via its tracking information. Most courier companies provide milestone tracking updates that you can follow online to check that your parcel is on schedule or to follow up if needed.
Tip: Share the tracking link or number with the parcel recipient so they know to be there to greet the parcel upon its arrival.
Trustpilot
First Time Using
I First tried using dropbox2go and I'm glad I did. It's Very efficient and convenient to use. Plus the customer service is very helpful and accommodating too. Highly recommended.
Chloe Newton
DropBox2Go is Great
On time delivery for less. Very smooth and helpful service. I shall definitely use this company again.
Project19
First Time Using
I First tried using dropbox2go and I'm glad I did. It's Very efficient and convenient to use. Plus the customer service is very helpful and accommodating too. Highly recommended.
Chloe Newton
DropBox2Go is Great
On time delivery for less. Very smooth and helpful service. I shall definitely use this company again.
Project19
Reason to choose Dropbox2go
Our site offers discounted parcel delivery services and enables our customers to compare, book and send parcels using a courier of their choice. Efficient and Reasonable!
Trusted Courier Partners
Select from numerous trustworthy courier companies who can carry your parcel.
Worldwide Services
Book a service within the UK or to over 240 international destinations.
Hassle-free Transactions
Offers collection & drop-off services. Accomplishing all you parcel deliveries in one booking.
Offers World’s Best Couriers
Dropbox2Go has major accounts with the world’s largest and most trusted courier companies. We have secured huge discounts off their normal selling rates that allows us to offer you some of the lowest parcel delivery prices around.
