DHL land five-year contract with Volvo Cars

DHL Supply Chain has recently been awarded with a five-year long contract with one of the world's most renown automotive brands, Volvo Cars. The parcel delivery company it due to handle its aftermarket parts warehousing and distribution to more than 120 dealers throughout the UK.

The parcel delivery company is expected to manage four shared use local distribution centres to place deliveries through the night using DHL's Auto Alliance collaborative platform. The service is to incorporate flexible driver departure times to remote areas, enhancing the efficiency of its delivery service across the nation.

DHL will deploy a new fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles as part of the contract with Volvo Cars.

Michael Martin, VP Business Development, Automotive for DHL Supply Chain has said: "DHL is delighted to be working with one of the world's leading automotive companies to drive forward innovative approaches for exceptional customer service. This new contact heralds a new partnership between DHL and Volvo Cars, which will see us deliver an innovative service-level delivery network, resulting in increased efficiencies." Martin also added: "Volvo Cars commitment to its customers is outstanding - and at DHL we adopt a matching approach to service quality in all of our collaborative partnerships."

FedEx is ranked at 8th place in business magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies" list

Fortune, a popular business magazine, has recently published the results of a survey titled the “World’s Most Admired Companies”, with FedEx being ranked at number 8. The results of the survey portray a comprised list of the most prestigious and well thought of businesses.

Being featured in this list is not a first for FedEx, with the Memphis founded company having being highlighting on previous years editions. Since 2001, FedEx has been positioned among the top 20 companies as decided by Fortune magazine.

Fortune's edition including the "World's Most
Admired Companies" list

The survey takes into account nine separate characteristics and elements with regards to both financial performance and corporate reputation of companies when deciding the position of each within the list. Before arriving at their top 50, both Fortune, and consulting company, Hay Group is forced to eliminate from the starting from approximately 1,400 companies. After much elimination, the two deciders create an industry list of 57 companies. Analysis is given to rate the companies on nine separate criteria, from investment value to social responsibility. To make it successfully onto the list, a company must score within the top half of its industry.

To arrive to their top 50, the Hay Group asked approximately 3,800 respondents to choose the ten companies they admired and respected the most. The list at this stage is made up of the companies that ranked in the top 25% from the previous year’s survey.

The finalised list shows other similar parcel delivery companies, such as UPS, narrowly missing out, with them coming in at position 32. DHL did not make it into the top fifty, but can be seen as being considered for it.

FedEx Corp.’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fredrick W. Smith, has said: “We are honoured to be included on the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies List. This recognition is possible because of our 300,000 team members who strive to make every FedEx experience outstanding.”

E-commerce precipitated Royal Mail privatisation

Earlier this month, the government confirmed its plans to privatise Royal Mail, following legislation passed in 2011 to pave the way for the sale. Business Secretary Vince Cable announced that a majority stake in the business will be sold through a flotation on the London Stock Exchange, and that 10% of shares in the business would be given to Royal Mail employees. The exact size of the stake to be sold will depend on market conditions at the time of the sale, which will take place before 31st March 2014, and which the UK media have speculated will happen this Autumn.  

The main reason for the sale given by the government, along with Royal Mail managers, is that the organisation requires private capital in order to develop in the way demanded by changes to the mail market. E-commerce has been cited as a primary factor in this: less letters are posted at a time when the demand for parcel delivery is rapidly increasing due to growing numbers of people shopping and doing business online. Royal Mail currently faces competition from private door-to-door couriers such as TNT Express and DHL Express. 

Unions and other campaigners against the sale warn that privatisation could eventually lead to reduced service levels, and poorer terms and conditions for postal workers. At a time when door-to-door courier services are available at much reduced rates when purchased through resellers such as Transglobal Express, it does seem that maintaining Royal Mail as a commercially viable entity will prove challenging if it plans to guarantee its six day service and set prices regardless of UK destination.

A guide to Courier Services: how to weigh and measure your parcel

If you want to send a parcel within the UK or overseas via a courier service, the first thing you will want to do is get a quote. This way, you can easily compare prices and get the best possible deal for the service you require. Several factors determine the cost of sending your parcel. In addition to the destination country of the goods you'd like to send, the weight and dimensions of your parcel will also determine the price, and you will need to supply this information in order to get a quote. 

This seems simple enough, doesn't it? And it is! But there are a few areas where it's possible to slip up, and if you do not quote your parcel's weight and dimensions accurately at the point of obtaining a quote, you risk incurring additional charges from the carrier when they measure it themselves while it is in transit. Of course, no-one wants this to happen, so we've compiled a list of tips to assist you with careful measuring to ensure that the price you see is always the price you pay! 

Always aim for accuracy

If you're unsure of your parcel's exact weight and dimensions, at the point of obtaining your quote, you may be tempted to estimate it rather than giving exact figures. This is not advisable since all carriers weigh and measure the parcels themselves and levy charges if they find inconsistencies. While (gu)estimates may work to give you a rough guide on cost, at the point of booking you really should have weighed your parcel using quality scales and determined the length, height and width as accurately as possible. 

Measure the furthermost point of each dimension

Consider the image below. Which is the correct way to obtain the dimensions for this suitcase? Most first-time shippers (and even some seasoned shippers!) would probably be tempted to measure their shipment in accordance with the image on the left, but the measurements on the right are the correct ones to quote when obtaining a quotation. 

Carriers such as UPS and DHL Express use lasers to measure the parcels transported through their networks and this equipment measures from the furthest most point of each side of the parcel. In this case, including the wheels, the handle and the strap around the suitcase would be necessary in order for your dimensions to agree with those that the main carriers would measure using their specialised equipment. The same goes for cardboard boxes that are bulging at the sides. Aside from an indication of poor packaging, such instances could incur extra fees if they are not measured correctly.

Include your packaging in your quoted weight

It may sound obvious, but the weight of your parcel comprises both the items you wish to send as well as the cushioning to protect them and the shipping carton in which they are sent. Ideally, you should book deliveries only after your parcel is packaged so you can quote the correct weight.

Protect yourself

It's quite rare, but carriers make mistakes too when weighing and measuring your parcels! If you have followed all of the advice above and you are still contacted about a size or weight discrepancy, it's great for you if you have evidence to support your position. Before you send your parcel, why not cover yourself by taking photographs of it on the scales on which you measured it, and against the tape measures that you used to determine the dimensions?

For further information or to get a quote, please visit www.transglobalexpress.co.uk 

FedEx anticipate millions of Mothers' Day deliveries

FedEx Express have estimated they will deliver over two million parcels of fresh flowers, hand-dipped chocolates and other gifts for Mothers' Day in the States this Sunday 12th April.

First of all, if you're reading this from the UK- don't panic! British Mothers' Day took place last March 10th, so (hopefully!) you haven't missed it. For readers in the US, FedEx announced they are accepting last minute orders up to Saturday May 11th for delivery on May 12th. 

As well as a chance to thank and to celebrate our Mums, occasions such as Mothers' Day can be huge logistical operations: FedEx have renewed their partnership with flower and gift companies this year in anticipation of the increased demand for delivery services. Valentine's Day is also a busy time for courier services; last year, we reported how 28 million fresh flower stems were shipped to Miami airport for the Valentine's period. 

While volume is a huge factor, the perishable and fragile nature of goods such as flowers and chocolates is also an issue, so make sure you choose a carrier offering to take care of your gifts in transit! 

If you are planning to send a parcel to the States for Mothers' Day, why not get a quote for Transglobal Express's very competitive rates? 

A Guide to Courier Services: Customs invoices

Have you ever been confused by the documentation associated with courier services or international parcel delivery? If you’ve used courier services for a long time, producing and attaching air waybills and all of the other necessary documents is a doddle. But if you’re new to courier services, or even if you’re a seasoned shipper who's sending items outside of the EU for the first time, you may need some guidance.

At Transglobal Express, we like to make our quote, order, booking and documentation process as simple as we can, so as to ensure a smooth and seamless delivery for all of our customers. We've found that the documentation side of things is where some of our customers would like some guidance, so we've set about producing a handy set of articles explaining the ins and outs of the documents associated with courier services. It's easy when you know how, but if you're not sure- we're here to help!

Earlier this week, we looked at Air Waybills and their importance in international parcel delivery. Today, we look at Customs Invoices: what are they? When do I need them? Why do I need them? Read on to find out more... 

What is a Customs Invoice? 

A Customs Invoice is a document detailing  the contents, selling price, and the weight and volume of  your international shipment. If you are sending your parcel to any country outside of the European Union, you will need one of these documents. Our carriers ask you to give four copies of this document to your driver when he or she comes to collect your parcel.

Invoice? But I'm not selling anything!

If you are used to exporting for business purposes, you are most likely familiar with customs invoices; the term 'commercial invoice' is often used interchangeably with customs invoice and serves a similar purpose. But if you are not sending your parcel for any kind of commercial purpose, the term 'invoice' can be quite confusing! Whether you're sending some clothes to your daughter in Australia or sending chocolate to a friend in the States, it may seem strange to have to quote a value for your items. Nevertheless, you do need to do so, to avoid unnecessary delays, and to satisfy international customs. But fear not! Transglobal Express produces a customs invoice as part of our booking process, which is available in your My Account area as soon as your order is confirmed. You can download and print it yourself, or let us know if you do not have a printer and we'll happily send out all the relevant documents to you! If you prefer, we also give you the option to produce your own customs invoice, just check the documentation page of our website.

Do I have to use the Customs Invoice automatically produced by Transglobal Express?

No- we try to be as flexible as possible! If you are sending your parcels for business purposes, it's likely you'll have your own version of a customs invoice and we'd encourage you to use it: it's better for your records, and as a professional exporter, you know your products best. Commercial customers are welcome to use our customs invoices too of course, and will see them in the My Account area like every other customer, but there is nothing stopping you from using your own documentation.

Still confused? 

In summary: If you're shipping within the EU, you don't need a customs invoice. If you're shipping to a non-EU country, you do need one, whether you are sending your parcel for business purposes or not. You can either use the document that we produce for you during the booking process, or use your own business's version. If you need any more guidance, don't hesitate to contact us on 0845 145 12 12 Monday- Friday 9:00-5:30pm. Happy Shipping!

A Guide to Courier Services: Downloading, Printing and Attaching your Air Waybill

Buying courier services from resellers such as Transglobal Express can save you a great deal of money and time. Resellers usually offer a variety of courier services from multiple carriers and although the basic principles of how to label your parcel and arrange the rest of your documents are the same, the guidelines about what sort of documentation you need can differ slightly depending on which delivery service you choose.

At Transglobal Express, we aim to make the order process and subsequent collection and delivery as simple as possible. This first part of our handy courier services guide should help you navigate the documentation maze!  Today, we look at air waybill (AWBs), the labels you attach to your parcel.

I’ve booked my delivery, now what?

If you’ve booked with Transglobal Express, you will receive a confirmation of your order via email containing a link to your air waybill. Print this off and securely attach it to your parcel. It’s important not to obscure any part of the air waybill, especially not the delivery address or barcode. It’s also a great idea to leave a copy of your air waybill inside your package. If the worst happens and your label is detached from your parcel somehow, the carrier will always be able to determine the destination of your consignment and avoid it being lost or misplaced in transit.

Printing Problems?

Many resellers and courier companies insist you must have a printer in order to use certain services. It’s great if you can print off your air waybill but don’t worry if you can’t! Transglobal Express offer a label forwarding service: if you do not have a printer, just let us know and we will print your labels for you and post them to you free of charge. Please note that this service is only available during our office hours (Monday – Friday 9:00-5:30pm).

Where’s my air waybill?

Our booking system produces air waybills automatically when you make an order. Of the thousands of orders we process each week, some customers may find their AWB is not produced immediately. If this happens: don’t worry. It could be that we are receiving a high volume of orders or that there is a slight problem with the formatting of your delivery address. Our system automatically picks up when an air waybill has not been instantaneously generated and our customer services team set about correcting any address errors and producing your air waybill for you as soon as possible. During office hours, your air waybill should be available in the My Account area within 30 minutes of making your order.

What other documentation do I need? 

If you are exporting goods to any country outside of the European Union, customs require you to produce a list of the contents and value of any packages you send. Check back later this week for our guide to Customs Invoices...

UPS announce 2.2% increase in Q1 earnings

UPS announced their first quarter results this afternoon, citing a better than expected post-Christmas season and the surge in e-commerce as contributing factors to their 2.2% growth in revenue. Operating profit also increased by $100 million compared to the first quarter of 2012. The courier company delivered an average of 16.2 million packages per day in the January-March 2013, an increase of 4.1% on the previous year.

Image c/o UPS

The U.S. Domestic operation saw the greatest increases in revenue ($267 million) and operating profit ($90 million) of all branches of the organisation. International operations saw slight increases in revenue and average daily volume along with a 14% decrease in operating profit from $408 to $352 million. The Supply Chain and Freight branch of the business increased revenues by $200 million while profits fell by $20 million to $143 million. UPS cited overcapacity in trans-Pacific trade lanes as the reason for the decrease. 

UPS Chief Financial Officer Kurt Kuehn commented, "January started strong [and] the pace of growth for the remainder of the quarter was in line with our expectations." 

Source: UPS

A Guide to Sending Christmas Parcels

The Christmas Parcel rush has begun. But what if you are struggling to find a courier service which will deliver it on time?

Home pick-ups and online bookings

Booking your parcel collection online makes life much easier, especially during the Christmas period. Not only does it offer a convenient, time-saving alternative to your local post office, but you will also pay less.

Many independent re-sellers or courier agents in the UK resell the rates and services of big carriers such as DHL, UPS or TNT. In exchange, for high shipping volumes, the re-sellers receive discounts of up to 70% which they then forward to their customers.

Christmas collection and delivery times

Just like anyone else, courier companies also temporarily close their operations over Christmas. For this reason, you should make sure to check the Collection and Delivery Times Schedules of DHL, UPS and TNT.

Sending large or bulky Christmas presents

If you opt in for a larger present which may weigh a little bit more, or is particularly bulky in size, there are several services which may make a good fit.

Standard services are usually restricted to 70kg per consignment. If you want to avoid surcharges, sending your parcels by air or sea freight is often a better solution.

Air freight services come in particularly handy if speed of delivery is your priority. You can get an instant, free quote for air and sea freight services on TransglobalExpress.co.uk/Air-Freight.

Express, domestic and international deliveries

Whether you would like to sent a parcel from London to Edinburgh, or all the way to New York City, express courier services will get it there via the quickest way possible. 

You should always bare in mind that these services may cost more than their standard mail equivalents.  

When unloading courier vehicles or giant freighters, your parcels will be given priority. Many courier companies offer a range of Express Services for domestic and international deliveries.

Packaging your parcels

Did you know that it is not enough to wrap your Christmas parcels and send them in the post? Sufficient packaging is vital if you want to avoid damages to your presents. For tips about how to best package your parcel, check out this Packaging Guide.

Information about Hazardous, Prohibited and Owner’s Risk Goods can be found on TransglobalPremium.co.uk/Prohibited-Items.

Send gifts to India this Christmas

Sending a gift to a friend or family member in India can be conveniently done from your home. All you need is an internet connection, a printer and access to a UK courier website such as TransglobalPremium.co.uk.

Image c/o Lonleyplanet.com

Quick bookings

Once you have registered an account with your chosen courier company, you will be able to arrange a collection online. All you need to do is to:

• Provide a collection and delivery address
• Select a collection time
• Fill in the packing list
• Add an insurance premium if required
• Pay for the outstanding amount
• And print out your shipping labels.

Speedy deliveries to India

Following the collection of your parcel on your chosen collection date, it will be dropped off at a local or regional depot before being transported to its destination country via road and/or air.

Your gifts should arrive in India just in time for Christmas (subject to transit times and customs). For urgent deliveries, book an express courier service such as UPS or DHL Express who can deliver your parcel within 2 to 3 working days*.

Image c/o Microsoft

Save on carriage costs this Christmas

You may find that some carriers offer cheaper parcel services with longer transit times. When quoting you your courier company should ideally list various carriers and their services who you can then compare with each other.

International courier companies such as TNT offer cost-effective alternatives such as the TNT Economy Express which will deliver your gifts within 7 working days*.

Packaging your gifts

India is located 4766.68 miles off the UK mainland. To ensure the safe arrival of your gifts after such a long journey, it is important to pay special attention to your packaging. Remember to watch out for

• Fragile items – Wrapping them in bubble wrap, extra cardboard  or custom packaging will decrease the risk of damage during transit.
• Sturdy & stable packaging – If you wish to send your gift wrapped up on paper, place them in an additional cardboard box. Normal wrapping paper does not offer sufficient packaging for your parcel.
• For detailed packaging advice, visit TransglobalPremium.co.uk/Packaging 

Image c/o Telegraph.co.uk

(*All transit times are subject to routing)

Book your Parcel Delivery with a German Courier Company

Ever considered trusting a German courier company for your parcel deliveries? Germans are widely known for their high service quality and reliability. In fact, one of the UK’s leading courier companies, Transglobal Express Ltd, opened a subsidiary in Germany.

World-Class Carriers

Transglobal Express GmbH is one of the most dynamic, independent courier companies in Germany. It offers excellent rates for domestic, European and international parcel services provided by renowned carriers such as UPS and DHL Express. 

Multilingual Interfaces

Since the German market is amongst the strongest in the world, languages play a vital part in achieving customer satisfaction. For this reason, TransglobalExpress.de is available in English and German – whichever language you prefer. 

Import & Export

Unlike other German courier companies, Transglobal Express GmbH offers import and export services, so you can send your parcels via a courier to anywhere in the world. All you need is a German residential or commercial address.

Any Questions?

A dedicated team of expert customer service advisors is ready to answer any questions you may have. You can send them via email, call up or log into the live chat.

Free quotes are available on Transglobalexpress.de without having to register first. If you are happy with the prices and transit times, simply register for free and book your parcel delivery.

How much does a next day delivery by courier cost?

Imagine you want to send important business documents to a client, or surprise a friend with a present. Sending a parcel via next day delivery may cost you a slightly more than sending it via a standard service, but it will get your parcel to its destination in less than one working day.

Before you book your collection, you should consider the following factors:

Destination

Most next day courier services will cover domestic deliveries rather than international ones. Depending on where you are sending your parcel to, you may be quoted prices for standard and express services.

­

Weight and dimensions of your parcel

The weight and dimension of your parcel play a major role in pricing. Non-standard items such as bulky goods or heavy shipments may be restricted to certain services. Make sure to measure your parcel and enter the exact dimensions into the quotation tool in order to avoid surcharges and delays.

­

Remote area surcharges 

Do you know if your receiver lives in remote location? If you are not sure, it is always a good idea to do a remote area check. You may do this during the quotation process. This way you will be shown any additional surcharges as well as availability of certain services. In some cases deliveries on the following working day may not be possible, so better check in advance.

Time of booking

All carrier work by so-called “cut-off times”. Depending on the time of your booking, you will be shown a selection of dates and times. Generally, the earlier during the day you book, the more likely you will be able to arrange a next day delivery. So get in there quick.

Express Services

Big carrier such as UPS and TNT offer various parcel services. If you book UPS Standard Single, your parcel is likely to arrive before 5.30pm on the next working day. TNT Express’ delivery times include deliveries by 9am, 10am and 12pm to name a few.

To book your next day delivery, visit TransglobalPremium.co.uk

Tip: Send a parcel to Russia from UK

Planning on sending a parcel to Russia from the UK? Book your parcel delivery to Russia online and take advantage of significantly reduced rates provided by leading courier companies.

Experience

Russia covers a total land area of 17,075,400 km2, making it the largest country in the world. For this reason, it is important to use a carrier with access to an extensive network of courier partners if you want your parcel to be delivered as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Choosing the cheapest service is not always advisable. Check if your carrier is known to be reliable and experienced in sending parcels to Russia. Leading global carriers include TNT Express, UPS and DHL Express.

Important!

Parcels to Russia can only be send to commercial addresses. Customs regulations generally restrict the delivery to private addresses. However, documents can be delivered to either of the two.

Speed

Because of Russia's size, it can take some time for your parcel to get delivered.

Transit times can vary from 1 to 4 working days. Booking an express service may increase your chances of having your parcel delivered quicker.

Remember that customs checks may delay the delivery of your parcel. Russian customs are known to be strict, so be sure to check that all important documents are attached to your parcel BEFORE you hand it to the courier driver.

If you want to get more information about restriction for parcel service to Russia, visit transglobalpremium.co.uk/Russia.

Online Tracking

Stay in the loop! Any reliable courier company should offer free online tracking. You will benefit from transparency and full access to your shipment. Follow every step of your parcel delivery to Russia.

For discounted rates and a free price comparison, visit transglobalpremium.co.uk. 

DHL opens First Energy Centre in Houston, Texas

The international courier services and logistics giant, DHL, has opened its very own Energy Center in Houston, Texas. It showcases oil and service companies as well as other companies from the oil industry.

“By launching the Energy Center, we are demonstrating our commitment to this sector. At the same time, we see this as a platform which will facilitate dialog with our customers, the discussion of future challenges and opportunities in the energy-related industry, and the requirements of the supply chain”, said Bill Meahl, Sector Chief Commercial Officer at DHL.

Amongst many innovations, the DHL Energy Center aims at catering for the development of customer-focussed solutions as well as at educating its customers about energy and innovation-related topics.

“With more than 300 companies active in the field of oil and gas in Houston, we are strategically based at one of the principle hotspots for energy business. We are therefore convinced that the Energy Center will provide a comprehensive picture of both proven solutions and innovative research for supply chains”, explained Steve Harley, Sector President Energy, DHL Customers Solutions & Innovation.

DHL currently employees 450 energy specialists as well as an Innovation team.The couier services company hopes to raise customers awareness of innovation topics by participating in live activities.

Image c/o DHL

Source: DHL

Video: UPS and TNT vs. DHL - who will win over Europe?

The UPS and TNT merger is unlikely to be stopped. Despite the deadline being postponed to 20th December, both international express companies remain confident about their 5.2-billion-Euro deal which they hope to close by the end of this year.

Image c/o 3plnews.com

With UPS owning a big slice of the USA market and TNT growing stronger in Britain and Europe, DHL may find itself under pressure. In fact, experts have suggested that the merger could result in a joint market share of 25 percent in three European countries as demonstrated in a recent video by The Economist.

How to address a letter or parcel to Australia? Tips on address formatting

When sending parcels to Australia, there are a few addressing guidelines which you should keep in mind.

For this reason, we have put together a quick guide for addressing parcels/letters to Australia. Here are two formatting options.

I. Traditional Address Format

1st Example

UK address format	U.S. address format
Mr Jack Dooley 120 Hammersmith Grove	Ms Emma Riley 22 Avebury Street
London	West End QLD 4101
W6 7HB
UK	AUSTRALIA

UK and Australian traditional residential addresses have a lot in common. However, there a couple of differences which set them apart.

(1) Firstly, the name of an Australian town / city is directly followed by an abbreviation for the state it is located in. “QLD”, for instance, is short for “Queensland”. 

Other abbreviations are as follows:

    ACT - Australian Capital Territory

    NSW - New South Wales

    NT  - Northern Territory

    SA  - South Australia

    TAS - Tasmania

    VIC - Victoria

    WA  - Western Australia

(2) Secondly, Australian postcodes are displayed after the name of the state.

II. Apartment or Commercial Address

2nd Example

UK address format	U.S. address format
Mr John Smith Apartment 8 120 Hammersmith Grove	Mr Tom Yates Suite 10a Floor 3, 50 Old Burleigh Road
London	Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
W6 7HB
UK	AUSTRALIA

(3) If you would like to send a parcel an apartment or commercial address in Australia, insert the “suite” number below the name of the recipient, followed by the floor number, house number and street name.

Important Notice:

A charge for customs clearance processing of AU$165 payable at the destination may be applied to personal effects consignments shipped with DHL. Please complete an Australian Customs Form, a packing list and provide a photocopy of the photo page of your passport. You can hand all of this to driver on collection. A quarantine charge of approximately AU$45 may also occur.

Should you wish to send a document or parcel to Australia via courier, express or standard parcel delivery, then please visit TransglobalPremium.co.uk. 

Cheap Parcel Delivery with Discount Courier Services

Have you ever tried to use a courier service? 

Courier companies offer cheap parcel delivery which may often beat the rates you get from the Post Office.

How does it work?

Anyone can take advantage of these cheap rates. You do not necessarily have to be internet-savvy in order to book a cheap parcel delivery service online.

Most discount courier services have easily accessible sites with straight forward instructions guiding through the booking process.

Simply enter your parcels measurements and weight into the quotation tool and start comparing the different carriers and their services.

Where do courier companies get their discounts from?

Well-known global carriers such as DHL, UPS, TNT or FedEx make their money through regular incoming orders but are often limited to providing discounts for business and private customers.

This is where discount courier services come in.

Independent couriers have got dedicated customer service and sales staff who can negotiate highly reduced rates for business and private customers. They will act as “middlemen” and buy postage slots from big carriers and then sell them to their customers.

This way, customers can benefit from cheap parcel delivery and carriers can grow their order volume. 

Send a Parcel to New Zealand

Sending a parcel to New Zealand from UK via courier? In order to select the right courier service to ship your parcel to New Zealand, you should keep in mind a few important points.

Experience & Safety

New Zealand is about the size of Great Britain and located on the edge of the pacific ocean making it one of the most remote countries in the world. About four million people, almost half of London’s population, call New Zealand “home”.

The delivery of parcel to a remote location such as New Zealand requires a particularly experienced, knowledgeable courier service. For this reason, many customer decide to send their parcels to New Zealand via TNT, UPS or DHL.

Speed

Transit times to New Zealand can vary from 3 to 6 working days** depending on the selected service.

For instance, if speed of delivery is a priority for you, then sending your parcels via express delivery to New Zealand may get them there within an average of 3 to 4 working days.

If you prefer to save money and have no problem with a longer delivery period, then a standard parcel service may be the right fit for you. This service can take about 6 working days.

Discounted Rates

The UK courier market offers extremely competitive rates. In fact, you can save up to 1/3 on your parcel delivery to New Zealand by using an independent courier company which can offer your discounted rates provided by leading international carriers.

To get a free, no-obligation quote for your parcel to New Zealand, please visit TransglobalPremium.co.uk.



Images c/o Microsoft

**Additional days may be required to do customs clearance, weight differences, outstanding charges etc.

DHL courier service to partner-up with UAE railway operator

The worldwide courier service provider, DHL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UAE’s national railway operator, Etihad Rail.

Image c/o  cdn-wac.emirates247.com

DHL is going to use the rail network, initially benefiting from the connection between Jebel Ali (Dubai) and Ghweifat (Saudi Arabia) with the possibility to expand to the rest of UAE. Beyond that, one train by Etihad Rail will replace 300 lorries.

Source: Analytiqa.com

Parcel delivery unsuccessful - what's next?

What happens if the delivery of your parcel wasn't successful? 

If the courier driver has attempted to deliver your parcel three times without being successful, it will be held in the local depot. It is important to keep in mind that this practice may differ depending on the country your sending to and on the carrier transporting your shipment.

Normally you should receive a notification card from the driver telling you to contact the depot, arrange to go there and collect your shipment. 

What's next though?

First of all, don't panic! If you forgot to collect your parcel or have not received a notification card, you can still get it back.

Tip: Keep hold of your tracking number and the contact details of your courier / carrier, so you will able to ring them personally and ask where to collect your parcel from. Before sending anything, make sure to check the collection and delivery times for your courier service.

Your parcel(s) will be put into storage at your carrier's local depot for an average time of 3 to 14 days.

Image c/o DHL

Should you fail to collect your parcel(s) within this time period, they may be processed for a return back to the sender - who may liable to pay for any additional surcharges.

In worst case scenario, your shipment may be abandoned.