Important facts to remember when shipping gifts abroad

Important Facts To Remember When Shipping Gifts Abroad

A lot of families spread out over time, sometimes this can be because of work or it could be retiring abroad to make the most of their free time without the stresses of work on their mind. These relatives may expect not to get anything more than a birthday card in the mail, especially if they have moved from the UK to some far off country like Canada or New Zealand.

But imagine the look of surprise on their face if they were to receive a parcel on their birthday or at Christmas from you with a gift inside, it would show you really care for them and be a very special present they’ll likely not forget. This situation is now more possible than ever with parcel couriers able to deliver to far away countries but without breaking the bank on shipping costs.

There are many courier companies we are all familiar with like UPS, DHL and FedEx who are experts when it comes to international parcels, usually for business reasons, but now these companies are branching out to personal use too, whether it’s selling goods on eBay or in this instance sending a present abroad.

There are a few things to bear in mind when shipping gifts; if it is a fragile object then you should support it correctly using insulating materials such as bubble wrap or polystyrene. Sending gifts internationally will need a customs form if it is going outside of the EU, clearly marked as a gift to ensure the recipient doesn’t end up with a bill for customs and duty.

Some countries do not have gift tax exemptions though so you must make sure you fill out the form correctly, clearly stating value so that the receiver doesn’t get billed instead of you, as well as ensuring it doesn’t get returned to you. Many countries have value limits on gifts, so make sure you are well versed in the customs and duty implications of the country you are sending to.

A good idea for sending gifts is to gift wrap the actual gift, then place it inside a sturdy cardboard box for shipping in. This way the gift is protected during transit as well as retaining the attractive presentation and excitement of unwrapping a present from a loved one.

Whilst many parcel couriers will be able to send parcels very quickly, you may find that it is cheaper if you send earlier, so making sure you send your parcel ahead of time and you could save money on shipping costs.

Sending gifts abroad is not nearly as expensive or complicated as you may think, make sure you choose a shipping service that offers worldwide parcel delivery to your chosen country and you’re already halfway there!