A clear decision cannot be made from a state of confusion.  

Be it a handmade gift, or a favorite item from an online store that you may have to send across, a sudden wave of confusion strikes you when you wide open the website.  

Which courier option should I opt for? 

How to calculate my custom duties? 

What if my parcels get away during the transit? 

Unless you are familiar with the process, the very thought of making a shipment can get overwhelming.  

Together, let’s break down the shipment procedure so that your next parcels are sent with more ease and confidence.  

Step 1: Choosing the right option 

One of the primary decisions you are compelled to make is the choice of shipment delivery based on your need for urgency.  

Delivery service partners come up with a diverse set of services to match the needs of the customers.  

Some of the major shipping options fall into the three buckets namely,  

• Express shipping- Need to send shipments urgently? Choose express shipping where you can avail within one day or next-day delivery. 
• Standard shipping- If your deliveries fall under a planned category, you can choose standard shipping ensuring the delivery happens between 3 to 5 business days which is also budget-friendly.  
• Economy shipping- It is one of the most feasible and cost-efficient ways of sending your parcels with a delivery deadline falling between 7 to 21 days.  

Step 2: Get clarity on shipment costs 

Shipping costs play a huge role in determining the quality-of-service delivery. Accordingly, some of the factors to be considered while determining the shipment costs are,  

Package weight & dimensions 

The charges applied to the courier are either based on the actual weight or volumetric dimension based on the value that looks higher.  

Destination  

The farther the distance travelled by the shipments, it adds to the travel costs. It is mainly attributed to the customs clearance and local regulations process.  

Delivery speed 

Faster shipping equals higher costs. It’s considered to be the trade-off between speed and the budget.  

Step 3: Completion of paper works 

Unlike domestic shipments, international shipping requires a lengthier paperwork process.  

It can be done through the shipping label and invoice.  

Some of the important documents you might require are,  

• Commercial invoice- It enlists the contents and value of the package. 
• Packing list- Lists the different items within the parcel. 
• Certificate of origin- It is expected in most of the export processes where the item has been produced originally.  
• Customs declaration forms- International shipments are required to comply with the local rules and regulations. 

Step 4: Insure your parcels 

Do you think the safety of the parcels can be assured only through packing assistance?  

Think again.  

To be more secure, it’s time to secure your parcels with insurance which help protect your packages from loss, damage, or theft during transit.  

Step 5: Track your packages 

The wait time to know if the packages have been received or not is over by now. 

Get real-time updates on the enhanced visibility of your parcels through tech enabled tracking processes.  

The important updates like the current location of the parcel, time & date for delivery and information on any further delays or discrepancies are some of the ones required to be known to a customer.  

Pro-Tip: Always do not forget to share the necessary information on the delivery with the recipients. 

Add-on tips for secured shipment delivery 

There are a few checkpoints before your shipments start boarding to help you save that last-minute fury.  

• Check to fill up the complete address. 
• Double-check for proper and neat labelling especially when you are handling delicate or fragile items. 
• Pack your items properly. 

Wrap Up 

Gone are the days you can call your shipment procedures as stressful.  

It is no longer that way.  

By obtaining the right knowledge with the slightest preparation, the package is ensured with damage-free and timely delivery at your doorstep. Given above is the few pointers which can help you take a better route with shipping and also does a big favour preventing you from taking a bad decision.  

If the confusion persists and your wallet calls for safety, make a choice with a trusted delivery partner who takes end-to-end accountability.  

With Brown Post, your sanity is super-saved by surrendering your unnecessary fears and worries about any international shipments to the masters of the domain.