Companies that rely on parcel delivery will require a speedy, reliable and efficient service to maintain the integrity of their business. This is especially important in the build up to Christmas as mail routes become exceptionally congested with millions of parcels being sent back and forth over the UK.
To help with businesses that regularly use a mail service, here are 3 top tips to help you with parcel delivery:
Prepare the Package Carefully
Perhaps the most crucial consideration for sending a parcel is to make certain the goods inside are packaged correctly. You can never be too careful when it comes to this as inadequately wrapped parcels can leave you liable for any damage incurred during transit.
Firstly, ensure that outer containers are sturdy and can easily hold the weight of the goods inside. There should be no movement inside for the item to move around, especially for delicate items such as glassware or ceramics. Fill out the container with bubble wrap or polystyrene chips to prevent movement. Seal the parcel securely and apply tape across all edges and openings, criss-crossing the whole box if possible.
When you are satisfied the package is safe to send, you also need to be meticulous with the outer labelling. Again, this is your responsibility to get right. Some companies cover their labels with transparent sheets so that wet conditions don’t affect the writing. Write a return address on the parcel also in case anything goes wrong.
Use a Dependable Courier
There are numerous professional courier services available in the UK. They will pick up items from the required address and deliver them to any location all over the world. Of course, sending packages internationally will cost a higher amount and require more preparation on your part.
The larger and heavier your parcel, the more expensive it will be to send. There are limits for sending goods in the UK however; a package cannot weigh more than 30kg and have a length of over 1.5 metres. If you are looking to send items above these measurements, then check if the courier can provide a special service for you.
Courier services are essential for many companies. They will be able to offer you an affordable service, often with same-day delivery if booked early enough. Research and compare all the different couriers online to find the best deal for your business.
Use an Insurance Policy
Courier services will be using their own insurance policy to protect themselves from unexpected circumstances. When you use one of these companies, your goods will usually fall into this policy and be insured up to the value of around £50. However, you must be certain that this is the case by reading the terms and conditions.
For expensive or fragile items, using insurance provides you with a peace of mind when the package is out of your hands. If the value of the goods is above £50 then spending that bit more on insurance guarantees protection against damage or lost items.
Insurance companies will investigate any claims thoroughly and an inadequately wrapped or labelled parcel will often nullify any claim; extra care is needed when preparing your package to make sure this doesn’t happen.
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