International shipping has its advantages from a value perspective because of merchandise and Technology availabilities overseas and US Dollar Currency Exchange rate that can be very beneficial. However in dealing with international shipping, you will soon discover that you will deal with your destination’s customs office to clear the shipment before you get it delivered.
Neighborhood Parcel has decades of International shipping experience to over 220 worldwide destination and throughout the years we have identified these destinations as the most corrupt countries, in another word, you will need to bribe a customs officer or local government to access your merchandise. Often this is in addition to customs duty taxes assessed.
Best Way To Ship Overseas
To avoid delays and maintain control of the shipment, we discovered that DHL has the Most Secure Export system worldwide where they maintain control of the shipment at all the time. Another way, if you ship an Apple iphone or iPad to Russia, DHL will get the clearance done electronically whenever possible and keeps possession of the merchandise. If you ship the same item using Express Mail for example, the phone is given to customs office for clearance and if in most cases if they like it, they will tax it and assess so many fees to discourage you from getting it and they will confiscate it in the end. DHL will cost a little more up front but you maintain control of your packages at all time.
The second best way is FedEx, they tend to be a little bit cheaper via their Economy service, delivery is usually within 5 to 10 Business days. They are great for deliveries to Europe and Latin America.
The Third and Least Expensive way to ship is to use an Air Cargo Door to door or Door to Port Carrier service like TNTAir Cargo or UPS. They offer great savings for International Moving or Large Cargo shipments, they utilize passenger air crafts to maintain lost cost and low overhead. They can issue Bill Of Lading and Online Tracking just like the other more expensive services.
Worst Way To Ship Overseas
Our Opinion throughout the years of experience is that the Post Office is the worst way to ship your valuable packages. Simply because the post office in most developing countries is corrupt and valuable shipments end up being stolen. The US Post office will provide online tracking until the package leave the US and you will never be able to track it. The loss claim process is very complicated and will take months to resolve. While Priority Mail and International Mail EMS are cheap and economical, it is not the most secure option to get valuable packages delivered.