Will surcharges apply to my parcel delivery? | Tips to ensure that the price you see is the price you pay

If you're thinking of booking a courier service to send a parcel within the UK or abroad, the first thing you'll want to do is get a quote for how much it will cost. Once you've found a service and a price you're happy with, you'll want to make sure that the price you see is the price you pay! Follow this quick guide to ensure you can anticipate and - where possible - avoid any surcharges on your parcel delivery.

Why are surcharges applied?

The most common reasons for the application of surcharges are:

• Parcels that exceed weight or size restrictions, or that the carrier deems to be heavier or larger than originally stated by the shipper
• Parcels that are insufficiently packaged and therefore entail an additional handling charge. 
• Parcels with a collection or delivery address deemed to be "remote" by the carrier. 

How can I avoid them?

In order to avoid surcharges you should:

• Make sure you weigh and measure your parcels as accurately as possible and always after it has been packaged.
• Check in advance that you are not exceeding any carrier or country specific restrictions with regard to parcel size or weight. Our customer service team will be happy to advise you in this regard.
• Ensure you package your parcel appropriately by following quality packaging guidelines such as those available on our website. 

Of course, there are some surcharges that cannot be avoided: if your delivery destination is remote, there is nothing you can do to change that! It's a good idea, however, to get a variety of different quotes from different carriers from resellers such as Transglobal Express, since different carriers will have different criteria as to what defines a "remote" location. DHL, for example, do not administer remote area surcharges for any US addresses- that's a potential saving of £16 per shipment! 

For further information on surcharges, please contact our customer services team on 0845 145 1212 Monday-Friday 9:00-5:50pm or visit the surcharges section of our website. 

A Guide to Courier Services: protecting your parcel against loss and damage

Who hasn't felt nervous about placing their goods in someone else's hands when shipping overseas? Whether you are shipping your belongings abroad in advance of a house move, delivering goods to a customer, or sending a gift to an overseas relative, your cargo is precious and your top priority will be to ensure it arrives not only in a timely manner but in exactly the condition you sent it. There are several steps you can take to do your best to ensure that this happens.

1. Choose a courier service you can trust

When you are shipping overseas, you need a service you can trust.  Using a company with long-standing experience, a well-established brand and a good global network is important. Transglobal Express works only with the top four global courier services: DHL, UPS, and FedEx and TNT: shipping with us means you'll get exactly same delivery service as if you were booking directly through these carriers- the only difference is the price!

2. Package your parcel appropriately

The best way to protect your parcel against damage is to ensure it is packaged appropriately. This means choosing the right size and strength of box and cushioning your goods sufficiently inside it. Most carriers advise that your box should be able to withstand a drop from waist height- this should give you an idea of the amount of cushioning you need. We recommend at least 5 cm between each item within the box and between the edges of the box and its contents. 

TOP TIP: take a photograph of your parcel, inside and out, before it is collected. This won't take you long at all and in the unfortunate event of loss or damage, it will be much easier for you to process any claims with evidence such as this. 

3. Take out appropriate cover

All parcels shipped with Transglobal Express are covered for a minimum of £50, free of charge. If your parcel is much more valuable, you may wish to take out additional cover for extra peace-of-mind. Then, if anything goes wrong, you won't be out of pocket. Certain very fragile goods - such as glass and pottery cannot be covered, so if you need to send these, make sure you follow step 2 as best you can! For more information about what can be covered, please see our website or contact our claims team on 0845 145 1212.

Contending with customs: advice for people new to exporting

Exporting your goods overseas can seem a daunting experience. It can be difficult to determine which regulations apply to you and which forms are applicable to your business - never mind how to fill them in!  Generally speaking, trade within the EU tends to be a simpler process, but if you're thinking of making the leap and expanding your sales beyond the European Community we have some customs tips and advice for you.

1. Inform your customer of the potential costs of Customs Clearance in advance

Typically, the receiver will be liable to pay any charges associated with Customs Clearance before your goods are released for delivery. This is called DDU (delivered duty unpaid) shipping. Most seasoned shippers are well aware of this but it's a good idea to make sure your customer knows of potential customs charges in advance- the last thing you want to do is give your customer a shock before they have even received your goods! Alternatively, if you'd prefer to pay the charges yourself, you can always opt for a DDP (delivered duty paid) service when booking UPS, DHL and TNT services through Transglobal Express. Such a service bills all charges back to you, the exporter, and usually entails a small fee. 

2. Research country-specific regulations

As well as familiarising yourself with general restrictions imposed by all major carriers, you also need to check the restrictions for your particular export country.  Restrictions can vary a lot depending on the policies and priorities of different governments, and there are also some historic and sometimes very strange trade restrictions, so you should always double-check with the relevant customs authority before implementing your export strategy. Want to send plastic flowers to Nigeria or toothbrushes to Algeria? Believe it or not, customs law prohibits the import of such items! Want to send tents to Jordan? You need a license first! The best advice? Always check! 

The best place to start when carrying our your research is the customs website of the relevant country: countries publish detailed lists of restrictions on their webpages. Customs Forum is another useful website where you can ask questions and advice of other exporters.

3. Choose the right delivery service

UPS, DHL, FedEx and TNT Express - the largest global carriers - tend to take care of customs clearance on behalf of the shipper. If you book with a reseller such as Transglobal  Express, you can enjoy the expertise and excellent international networks of these brands at highly reduced rates. But equally importantly, you can benefit from our own expertise developed from over 20 years experience in the industry. Given the fact that Transglobal ship to over 220 destinations worldwide, using a variety of the biggest and best carriers, we are unable to give definitive advice on specific customs policies, but we do know where to direct you if you need any further advice, and we are always willing to help wherever we can - personal service can make all the difference when trying to navigate what is often a daunting collection of rules and regulations!

Do you have any general customs advice to share with other exporters? Let us know and we'll publish it here- happy shipping!

What is Volumetric Weight and how will it affect my shipment?

When sending a parcel via courier, no matter what the destination, you will need to provide a certain amount of minimum information in order to obtain a quote for the service you require. All parcel delivery services require you to enter the destination of your package and the weight (most often in kilograms) and dimensions of your parcel (that is, the length, width and height, most often in centimetres) in order to obtain a quote. For non-seasoned shippers, the dimensions are measured as shown in the image below:

Often, the cost of your shipment will be calculated on the basis of its stated weight, in kilograms. This is called the actual weight. Sometimes, however, if your parcel is particularly large or bulky and contains relatively light items (think: balloons, sponges or even large items made of lightweight plastic) a value derived from the size rather than the weight of your parcel will be used to calculate the shipment cost. This is called the  volumetric weight. 

How is volumetric weight calculated?

Different services have slightly different formulae for calculating volumetric weight, but generally speaking, the figure is determined by multiplying the three dimensions of your parcel together and dividing by  between 4000 and 6000. For example, the premium air service DHL Express Worldwide, which is offered at heavily discounted rates by Transglobal Express, calculates volumetric weight with a denominator of 5000. So, if your parcel dimensions are 40x20x15 centimetres, given that (40x20x15)/5000=2.4, the volumetric weight for your consignment would be 2.4kg

How will it affect the cost of my shipment?

The chargeable weight of your shipment will be either the actual weight or the volumetric weight- whichever is largest. So, in the example above, if your parcel weighed less than 2.4kg, you would still be charged the 2.4kg of volumetric weight. If your parcel weighted more than 2.4kg, you would be charged for actual weight. 

All clear?

Please contact Transglobal Express on 0845 145 1212 if you require any further information, or check our website for service specific details.

Happy Shipping!

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 

Sending a parcel to Australia

Many UK residents have family in Australia and thanks to new technologies such as Skype, it's easier - and cheaper - than ever for us to keep in touch with them. Still, nothing quite compares to sending parcels to let your loved ones know you care. Have you thought about sending a parcel to Australia but don't know where to start? If you're sending a parcel internationally for the first time, you may need some guidance on how to pick the best courier service for your needs. 

Cost

In spite of the massive distance between the UK and Australia (London to Sydney is over 10,000 miles as the crow flies) sending a parcel down under can be much more economical than you might expect. For international delivery to Australia, our rates are amongst the most competitive around and start from less than £30 per single kg ranging to £3.54 per kg, depending on the weight of the parcel you want to send. Of course, the greater the weight of your individual parcel, the cheaper the price per kilogram. Click here to get a quick quote.

Customs

As with any parcel delivery to a country not within the European Union, when shipping to Australia from the UK, you will need to provide four copies of a customs invoice to your driver when they arrive to collect your parcel. This is a document detailing the contents and value of your consignment which the relevant authorities use to process your parcel and calculate customs costs. Services such as Transglobal Express produce these automatically for you during the booking process and they can be downloaded and printed once your order is complete. If you are sending personal effects, we have Austrialian customs forms available on the documentation section of our website to assist the swift transit of your parcel.

Transit time

Booking parcel delivery with an international courier means your parcel will arrive in Australia in a matter of days rather than weeks. Depending on the service you select, delivery can be as quick as three days, and the majority of parcels are delivered within a week. 

For further information, please call our customer services on 0845 145 1212 (Monday-Friday 9:00- 5:30 pm). Happy shipping!

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...

Sending a parcel to the United States

The USA is one of the most popular destinations for parcel deliveries from the UK. If you've never sent a parcel to the States before, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the range of delivery services available and the numerous regulations related to US imports. We've therefore compiled this list of handy guidelines to make your delivery to the US go as smoothly as possible, at the best possible price. 

Cost
Given the sheer volume of imports to America every day, sending a parcel across the pond can be much more economical than you expect. For international delivery to the USA, our rates are amongst the most competitive around and start from less than £20 per single kg ranging to £2.29 per kg, depending on the weight of the parcel you want to send. Click here to get a quick quote.

Carrier

While cost is a huge factor in selecting which courier service to use, you should also consider which is the best carrier for your destination and delivery time frame. The American logistics giant UPS arguably has the best USA distribution network, but DHL, FedEx and TNT Express have expansive networks in the States as well. Our UPS Express Saver service has an average transit time of two days and is also our cheapest US service when sending parcels weighing up to 70kg. 

Customs

Import laws to the US are deliberately tough. Many of the relevant legislation is intended to crack down on illegal imports and to comply with recent anti-terrorism laws though, so the majority of commercial and personal parcels reach their destination without problems. If you're unsure as to whether or not your parcel is  acceptable by American customs, check our list of prohibited and restricted items. In addition to those items on our list, the US prohibits the importation of gambling devices, asbestos and ivory.

For further information, please call our customer services on 0845 145 1212 (Monday-Friday 9:00- 5:30 pm) or use our online live chat feature.

How do I package my parcel? Top tips for protecting your consignment

It’s simple enough: you want to send a parcel internationally, so you find a quality courier service, select a convenient collection time and make a booking. After you have printed off the appropriate documentation, and before your consignment is picked up by your preferred carrier, you need to give some thought to how to package your parcel correctly.

Packaging your parcel correctly is not difficult, but it’s important that you follow a few easy guidelines to ensure that your goods are protected in transit.  Worldwide courier services are massive operations, and while carriers should always endeavour to treat your parcels with care, remember that many stages of the transit process will be automated: your parcel is likely to pass through sortation centres using conveyors and chutes, parcels may be stacked and while ‘fragile’ labels may be useful for information purposes, they are no substitute for careful packaging.

You should think about two main areas when packaging your parcel: the shipping carton, or box, and how your contents are placed within it. Ask yourself the following questions:

The shipping carton:

• Is it strong enough for the contents of my consignment? If applicable, do the contents weigh less than the maximum weight limit of the box? For heavy or valuable items, double layered cardboard is best.

• Is it the right size for my consignment?

• Is it in good condition? We all recognise the importance of going green. Reusing your boxes is commendable and great for the environment, but remember only to do so if a box remains in good condition.

Inside the shipping carton:

• Is there sufficient cushioning material, such as bubble wrap, between each of my items, and between each item and the box edges? Most carriers recommend a minimum of 5 cm.

• Are fragile or valuable items especially protected?

• Are sharp edges fully protected? Fixed heavy cardboard is best for this.

• Are small items packed into flyers?

• Are liquids and semi-liquids or greasy substances stored in leak free containers?

If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions then your parcel has the best chance of arriving in perfect condition. For further information, visit our packaging advice webpage. Happy packing! 

Shipping Dangerous Goods

Most of us know that it is forbidden to send dangerous goods such as toxins, explosives or munition via your usual courier service. However, few people are often aware that thermometers, magnets or batteries can also be classified dangerous or hazardous.

What are dangerous goods?

Dangerous or hazardous goods can be anything from solid or liquid to gas. This kind of goods are generally considered to be harmful to others, properties, the environment or animals. The most common types are radioactive, flammable, explosive, corrosive, oxidizing, asphyxiating, bio hazardous, toxic, pathogenic, or allergenic.

Carriers' regulations

Depending on the courier company and carrier you will be using, restrictions may vary. Therefore it is important to check with your chosen courier before you package your shipment. Most UK carriers will not accept dangerous goods on any of their services. Similar applies to prohibited items.

You may be able to ship certain goods with your chosen carrier. However, in most cases, you as the sender will be liable for your shipment.

Sender's responsibilities

As the sender, it will be your responsibility to check that your shipment does not contain anything that could be harmful to others (see "what are dangerous goods").

Since you will be the one packaging your shipment, only you will be aware of its contents - the courier company and carrier will not know what is inside until your shipments reaches the depot. Should anything dangerous be found in your parcel(s), you will be made responsible.

Goods you may not consider hazardous

Did you know that nail varnish, glue or hair curlers are considered "dangerous" in the UK? Even airbags or seat belts for cars full under this term. You may not have had any intentions when you shipped these goods, but the carrier may charge you with a fine and reject your shipments.

In order to avoid scenarios like this one, you should always check back with the restricted items list provided by your chosen courier company.

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)

Sending a parcel to France – Tips for cheap parcel delivery

Every year thousands of Brits cross the Channel for business or a holiday France. Sending parcels to France can be quick and cheap if one chooses the right courier service.

• By booking your cheap parcel delivery to France with leading carrier such as DHL or UPS, you can benefit from their well-connected European road and air freight network. In fact, your parcel may arrive in France within one day*.

• Beyond that, sending a parcel to France via a well-known courier service can provide you with a high level of security – especially if you are sending valuable goods. Nowadays, you can track your parcel online and check its progress at any point in time.

Many courier service also offer packaging guidance. Safe packaging is highly important in order to minimise the risk of getting your goods damaged during transit. This quickly happen since many parcels are transported by road and air freight within the EU. 


How much does is cost to send a parcel to France?

Prices are often cheaper if booked via a third-party courier company. Depending on your chose carrier, you can send a 1kg parcel to France from £ 12.95 +VAT**. If you consider sending a parcel to France and would like to benefit from cheap rates, then get a quote online.

*approx. transit time, subject to customs / depot checks ** prices may differ according to the chose carrier, weight & dimensions of the consignment

Send Baby Milk Powder / Follow-On Formula Milk

Since 1915 baby milk powder has been exported to various corners of the earth. For many years this special formula milk has been a popular nutritional replacement amongst mothers who decide not to, or are unable to breastfeed their babies.

One Century of Formula Milk

What all started off as a powdery formula made of cow’s milk, lactose and natural oils almost 100 years ago, has turned into an highly popular product. 

Since the early 20th century, formula milk has been improved immensely and has expanded into a range of follow-on formula milk. These days women can choose from protein, dried, soya or skimmed baby milk powder - only to name a few.

The international market share of baby formula milk powder has grown steadily and many traders have recognised the product’s high profit margins within the global markets. 

For this reason, many traders send baby milk powder to various international destinations including the USA and the Philippines.

Exporting Baby Milk Powder

In the USA more than 70% of all hospitals currently use follow-on formula milk. Beyond that, the Philippines report annual sales figures of $469 million.

Search interest for baby milk powder  (graph c/o Google)

If you wish to export baby milk powder or import it to the UK, generate your free quote online.

Can I Send Money By Courier?

We are often asked if customers can send money by courier. Unforunately, it is a "no".

None of our carriers (that includes DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT and DPD) currently accept shipments which contain 

• credit or debit cards
• cash
• cheques 
• or vouchers with a face value. 

This is mainly due to insurance reasons in case your shipments gets damaged or lost. If you are unsure about the contents of your parcel and would like further information, please visit our restricted items page. 

Related articles

• How to Send a Bike | Packaging Guide for Bike Delivery 
• Collect a Parcel - Courier Services for Parcel Collections in the UK 
• Advice for SMEs : How to Save Money on Parcel Delivery Services 

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

Here is a quick guide for addressing parcels/letters to USA. There are two main types of U.S. addresses:
residential addresses & PO boxes. 

(1) Residential Address

Example

UK address format	U.S. address format
Mr John Smith Apartment 7 118 Hammersmith Grove	Ms Amanda Smith Apartment 1b 213 Pond Street
London	Boston, MA  02130
W6 7HB	USA
UK

UK and U.S. residential addresses have very few differences. As similar as the two might seem, it is important not to get the UK and the U.S. letter address format mixed up.

• (1) Firstly, write the state of the city  / town / village which you would like to send your parcel to after the its name.
• (2) Secondly, in the USA the postcode comes after the name of the state.

(2) PO Box

Example

UK address format	U.S. address format
Mr John Smith Apartment 7 118 Hammersmith Grove	Mr Kyle 200 Boston Ave PO Box 104
London	Seattle, WA 98109
W6 7HB	USA
UK

• (3) If you would like to send a parcel to a PO box, insert its number below the address of the the receiver. Make sure to contact your carrier before booking your parcel delivery to USA. Some carriers may have PO box restrictions.

Should you have any further questions, please contact our customer service team directly via TransglobalPremium.co.uk.

Related articles

• How to address a letter or parcel to Germany? Tips on address formatting 
• How to Send a Bike | Packaging Guide for Bike Delivery 
• Track your Parcel with DHL & UPS 

How to Send Skis or Snowboards by Courier? A Quick Packaging Guide

Here is how you can send a ski or snowboards by courier and avoid transport damages.

Preparing your Ski / Snowboard Package

It is recommended to put out the following tools before starting with the packaging of your skis / snowboard:

• 1x roll of packaging tape
• 1x cardboard boxes or packaging paper, e.g. cut one or two boxes into even-sized pieces
• 1x padding material

Attention: Please ensure that you do not exceed the standard girth of max 330 cm. The length of ski / snowboard should not exceed a maximum of 2 m and 20 cm in height. You can ship your skis / snowboard with any of the following courier services: UPS, DHL and TNT.

Packaging of Skis / Snowboards

The specific packaging size and restrictions often depend on the size of your snowboard / ski and the chosen parcel service**. Please contact your parcel delivery service directly and ask about any restrictions before sending your skis / snowboard.

Image c/o Bigremoval.com

• In order to increase the level of stability, please package your skis in pairs.
• If you send a snowboard, please use an additional amount of padding material. Edge protectors (polystyrene, plastics, foam) also offer a great solution in order to protect the edges and ends of your snowboard / skis.
• Subsequently, please secure everything firmly with packaging tape.
• Now wrap your skis / snowboard with the previously prepared cardboard boxes. If required, you may wrap another layer of packaging paper around your parcel.
• Lastly, stick the Transglobal air waybill label on the front of your parcel.

If you would like to send ski sticks, gloves etc., please arrange a separate parcel delivery. You can also use our quotation form.

New at Transglobal? Visit our feedback page and read about other customers’ experiences with Transglobal Express.

**When sending your skis / snowboard, we always recommend that you refer to the carriers' websites for specific packaging guidance.

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• Send Chocolate By Courier | Tips & Tricks
• How to Send a Bike | Packaging Guide for Bike Delivery 
• Things you should know about parcel delivery services 

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

Here is a quick guide for addressing parcels/letters to Germany. At first sight the two might look very similar, however, there are few crucial differences which could cause potential delivery delays.

Example

UK address format	German address format
Mr John Smith Apartment 7 118 Hammersmith Grove	Frau Anna Schmidt  Wohnung 4 Jungstraße 17
London	10247 Berlin
W6 7HB	Germany
UK

As you can see, the main differences between UK addresses and the address format for sending a parcel to Germany are:

• (1) Firstly, address your receiver with the correct title, i.e. Herr (Mr), Frau (Mrs, Ms, Miss).
• (2) Secondly, remember to put the house number comes after the street name.
• (3) Thirdly, in Germany the postcode comes before the town or city name.
• Lastly, make sure that your own address as well as the receiver’s address are clearly readable. Writing your address in capital letters is usually good method to ensure that the courier personnel is going to process your order quickly and without any problems.

Should you have any further questions, please contact our customer service team directly via TransglobalExpress.co.uk.

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• Advice for SMEs : How to Save Money on Parcel Delivery Services (transglobalexpress.blogspot.com)

Send Chocolate By Courier | Tips & Tricks

Image c/o LoveFood.com

Whether white, dark, crunchy inside or filled with nougat, we all love chocolate. And what a sweeter way could there be than to send chocolate to a friend or family member, but are we allowed to send chocolate by courier?

Yes, Transglobal Express allows consignments containing chocolate or other sweets as long as they are reasonably packaged and non-perishable.

One way to ensure that your chocolate does not get damaged, melts due to high temperatures, or freezes because it is too cold in the van, is to place it in a heat resistant container. Aluminium foil is also a cheap way of protecting your sweet goods. 

If you decide to send a chocolate using a courier service, make sure to ask if there are any packaging guidelines or restrictions you may need to consider. 

Is your parcel ready for dispatch? Then why not get a quote with one of our courier services?


You might also like:

• How to Send a Bike | Packaging Guide for Bike Delivery

How to Send a Bike | Packaging Guide for Bike Delivery

Here is how you can send a bike by courier and avoid transport damages.

Preparing your Bike Delivery

It is recommended to put out the following tools before starting with the packaging of their bikes**:

• 1x tool kit
• 1x roll of packaging tape
• 1x cutter knife
• 1x plastic bag / zip bag
• 1x cardboard bicycle box (Available at your local bicycle shop.)

Attention: Please ensure that you do not exceed the standard girth of max 330 cm. Otherwise your shipments may be classed as bulky goods. You can ship your bike with any of our Transglobal couriers: DHL, UPS, TNT, FedEx and DPD.

Packaging if Partially Dismantled 

The packaging size often depends on the size of your bicycle and the chosen parcel service. Please contact your parcel delivery service directly and ask about any restrictions before sending your bike.

• Firstly, remove any accessories, i.e. bike lights, bags, pumps, locks etc and place them in the plastic / zip bag. 
• If your chosen parcel service has advised you to partially dismantle your bike, then please start by turning around the handlebar. It should face the tip of your saddle.
• Now dismantle your pedals and if necessary, remove the saddle and front wheel. Use your tool set to do so. 
• Once dismantled, place the pedals / saddle in your plastic bag and put the front wheel aside. You will be able to slide it into the bicycle box later. 
• Your plastic bag needs to be closed and glued to frame, between handlebar, cross bar and seat post, or stick it on the side of your bicycle rack (if available).
• Next up, take your cardboard bicycle box and pull it over your bicycle. You may use cushioning / padding materials to prohibit the bike from moving.

New at Transglobal? Visit our feedback page and read about other customers’ experiences with Transglobal Express.

**When sending your bike, we always recommend that you refer to the carriers' websites for specific packaging guidance.