International courier companies are available in almost every country or can ship to almost any country, but it can be difficult to select the right option. Your country may offer more than two companies, making it hard to decide which one to select. However, your international courier should offer specific services, such as free pickups, offer safety for your package and tell you which companies they use to ship.
Services
The type of services offered by international courier companies can vary widely though there are some helpful tips to consider when searching out one company to provide your business to. Make sure they offer free pickup at your door and deliver to the recipient’s door. This is important, as you are a busy person and can’t be expected to drop everything and rush to the courier to drop off a package.
Find out what types of items the international courier will ship. Every courier company will send off documents and regular-sized parcels, but consider a company that will also ship extra baggage, medicines, food and hazardous goods. While you may not need those specific services right now, you could require them in the future.
Safety
No matter what you ship, companies should promise the utmost of safety. However, many companies neglect the proper safety procedures, placing your parcels on top of others or not tying them down properly. Ensure that safety is promised and backed by some guarantee. Many courier companies offer insurance on most items, so that if anything untoward happens, you will at least receive the monetary value of the items you shipped.
Some couriers will also offer extra services, such as help with customs clearance, distribution and warehousing services, which may be beneficial to you.
Companies
Most people don’t understand that international couriers use other shipping companies to ship the items intended. While there may be a few couriers that have their own fleet, most are intercity couriers. These couriers have courier vans, bicycles and other vehicles to transport items on the ground. However, international couriers must have access to airplanes, so most of them use well-known shipping companies to help them, such as FedEx and others. Check their website to find out which companies they use to ship items and if you cannot find this information, contact them and inquire about the shipping companies.
Make sure they are well-known and consider visiting each of those websites to check their credentials so that your items are as safe as possible.
