If you are shipping a parcel overseas, then you may want to take advantage of a courier service, which could offer extra services not found through traditional shipping companies or the postal service. If you want to ship something overseas, you will pay extra, because of customs fees, import fees and much more. However, you also get many added services that are part of the fee.
Insurance
When most people ship a parcel overseas, they want to ensure that it gets there safely. It is sometimes important to have insurance on your items just in case something was to go wrong. It is likely that you would have to pay extra if you used a shipping company or the postal service, but many couriers offer their overseas parcel shipping with insurance as part of the price you pay.
Insurance is only an option for certain items, so if you have questions check with your courier to ensure that insurance is part of your price. It is unlikely that insurance will be provided for handmade or homemade items and certain small items.
Certain Items
Certain items you may want to ship are not allowed through the regular mail. You are required to use a shipping or courier company that can safely allow these items. It can be easier to find a courier company that offers shipment of dangerous goods than a shipping company, and you can use them for other purposes, as well.
Signatures
Depending on where you are sending your items, some countries require a signature for any parcel that is delivered. However, many courier companies require a signature as well because it is considered an added security measure. People are more likely to take what isn’t theirs if there are no other considerations, but requiring a signature can cause people to pause and think about their actions.
Free Packing
It can sometimes be difficult to pack your parcel properly, especially for an overseas journey to its destination. In some cases, specific packaging is required because the parcel must go through customs. If the customs agent needs to open the packaging to see what is inside, it cannot be packaged within a package, which means you can’t wrap gifts and place inside another box. Handing your items over to a courier is the best option, as they will package everything according to customs rules.