Introduction
Imagine how much time, money and opportunity you would lose if you don’t invest your shipping needs with the right international courier service.
In today’s day and age of interconnectivity sending and receiving packages between borders is no longer an uphill drive given the outpouring number of service providers in the market.
If you’re a family member excited to see your son or daughter open your homemade snacks or an e-commerce player hoping to witness your customer’s gorgeous smile when they open your shipment, most global shipping services have you covered.
However, spoilt for choices, making that important decision in choosing the right international courier service is crucial for every shipper. Most importantly, how do you ensure that you made the right decision?
Here is a step-by-step guide walking you through seven key factors that you ought to consider while evaluating the service quality of the chosen delivery partner.
1. Reliability and reputation
‘How the world sees you?’ – A question of paramount importance.
Accordingly, the expertise and experience backing the reliability & reputation of the chosen delivery service partner should be paid attention to as well.
Here are two different ways in which you can analyse if the chosen international courier service is trustworthy.
- Customer Feedback– Make sure to read between the lines of the customer feedback given inside credible online platforms like Google and look at the ratings given at platforms like Trustpilot.
- To obtain real-time information on the customer’s journey with the shipping provider, you need to look into third-party platforms like Quora and Reddit.
- Certifications and Accreditations – Make sure the chosen logistics partner has obtained the important industry certifications & accreditations like IATA, FICCI, & TAPA authorising their service quality.
- Media coverage – Look for relevant news articles and publications that have acknowledged their quality of service.
2. Delivery Speed
‘Time waits for none’- The statement never goes out of fashion in the logistics world.
Accordingly, the factor of delivery speed is the most prominent one looked at by most of the customers. To evaluate the speed component of your delivery partner, here are some ways.
- Look for multiple delivery service options – The right service partner will provide you with a wide variety of service options starting from standard, express and priority orders.
- Expected delivery times – Secondly, you should also be considerate about the timeframe given by the chosen courier partner while processing each package.
At Brown Post, we make sure that the standard delivery time worldwide is not more than 4 days. However, the priority orders with us are assured with a guaranteed next-day delivery.
3. Cost
‘Value for money is mostly appreciated through the cost incurred’
Although affordable shipping partners are given priority for personal couriers and business-related shipments, still it is necessary to equate it with the service quality provided.
To understand how cost works in your favour, here is a list of pointers that you should take notice of,
- Transparent pricing – Pay attention to the ability of the logistics partner to be upfront about their pricing approach and make sure they leave no room for any sort of hidden costs.
- Say No to extremely low prices – Always question the international courier service partner when they come up with too-good-to-be-true kind of price ranges as there is a higher chance of your service quality being discounted.
4. End-to-end control over customs clearance
‘Accountability certainly differs from responsibility’
Always check if a global shipment provider can assume full accountability for customs clearance without blaming you for uncertain bumps.
Since customs clearance holds a significant weight in ensuring the safe delivery of the parcels, here is a quick heads-up,
- Knowledge of customs regulations – Take notice of their updated knowledge levels on the subject of changing customs regulations.
- Proactive customs documentation– Check whether the team can prioritise the process of customs documentation making sure that all the transactions of customs taxes and duties are done priorly.
5. Customer support and Tracking
‘Transparent communication is where clarity of process begins’
A steadfast customer support enabled by proper communication is very essential while sending a shipment internationally.
Here are some ways to look for a presence of systematic customer support with the chosen international courier service,
- Multiple communication channels: Most of the prevailing cross-border shipment services employ only technology-enabled communication channels like mobile applications.
- However, the reality is when these international shipment services cater to a wider demographic, you must look at the ability of these delivery partners to enable multiple communication channels like Online chats, Text, WhatsApp, Email and Calls.
- At Brown Post, we are proud to embrace a mobile-friendly booking process for senior customers sending shipments to their sons & daughters settled abroad in addition to the tech-enabled tracking features.
- Tracking updates: Further, seek information on the shipment tracking visibility for the customers. Collect important data on the frequency and channels used for communicating on the shipment tracking.
- Customer support: Make sure that the chosen shipping partner has a built-in customer support team helping you with all the enquiries, doubts and clarifications.
- Some of the pointers to evaluate the quality of support is by analysing the soothing tone of the personnel, prompt replies and callbacks.
6. Value-added services
‘Getting more than what you paid for is true customer delight’
Choose a global shipment provider who goes through that extra mile to seek customer fulfilment more than satisfaction.
Seek information on the availability of the following value-added services,
- Packaging: Quality packaging ensures the ultimate safe delivery of the parcels. Unlike domestic couriers, the packaging process requires expertise to adhere to the different guidelines in each destination.
- Noting the significance of packaging in international delivery, at Brown Post, we extend ourselves to provide detailed packing assistance to every customer saving their time and effort.
- Door-step pickup: Nowadays, most international courier services are extending themselves as comprehensive logistics solution provider and hence look if you can benefit from door-step pick-up services.
7. Insurance benefits
‘Proactive measures ensure secured accomplishments’- Insurance adds a second layer of protection to your shipments.
Don’t hesitate to enquire about the insurance benefits from the chosen delivery partner especially if you are sending expensive or fragile items.
Some of the insurance details to uncover from the chosen delivery service are,
- Insurance policy and coverage: Make a note of the credibility of the insurance provider and seek valid information on the coverage limits as well.
- Ease of claim processing: Additionally, please be upfront about the procedures of the claim processing too and make sure these processes are not time-consuming and a road without more hairpin bends.
Wrap-up
Choosing the one can never get easy even with the choice of an international courier service provider. However, with the above-mentioned seven key factors, you can easily narrow down your choices and make an informed decision.
Whether you are in the middle of making an urgent shipment or looking for a courier partner with whom you can make regular shipments choosing the right one can make all the difference.
The difference can be spotted not just with their quality of service but also with their approach to making a difference.
At Brown Post, although we stand for being a reliable and affordable shipping partner in India, we differentiate ourselves in demystifying the complexities of the global shipments process with ease of use processes across every stage of the shipments.
Ship with us to experience a hassle-free international shipment journey.
