Would you like to send a parcel to your beloved ones living abroad? That’d be a very nice idea indeed! But you might be hesitant to do it since international package shipping is not the cheapest service out there. Especially if you’re shipping to Ukraine, Romania, or any other country on a different continent.
Unless, of course, you know a few little tips and tricks that can help you to reduce package shipping costs. And here they are. Let’s jump right in!
1. Keep the weight and size of your parcel small
The cost of international shipping depends on a few key factors. The destination point, the weight and the size of a parcel, and the chosen shipping method. For starters, let’s focus on the weight and dimensions of your package as you have the most control over them.
If you wish to keep the costs of sending parcels overseas low, try to pack your items in the most compact way possible. Avoid using too large boxes and opt for padded envelopes whenever you can. Then you won’t need to worry about the package dimensions. Parcel weight will also remain relatively small as tinier shipping containers require less filling with cushioning materials.
2. Find ways to reuse packaging materials
Packaging materials may constitute a big part of international shipping expenses. You might not notice it if you’re sending one package. But it certainly adds up if you ship internationally quite frequently and buy new materials every time.
Then, it’d be more economical to reuse packaging. If you receive parcels often or if you buy online a lot, you’re sure to have some boxes and cushioning materials that can be reused. Just be sure to carefully inspect the boxes before packing your items in them. Using damaged packaging is not worth it as it won’t serve as good protection for your goods.
3. Opt for economy shipping
Usually, international carriers offer two shipping options – express and economy. As the names suggest, the first is faster, but more expensive, while the second is cheaper, but slower. So you’re bound to save a lot if you choose the latter.
The idea of using the economy option for shipping to Poland or other faraway countries may not sound very appealing. After all, package delivery may take up to several weeks or even longer. But it can be a compromise worth taking for the sake of your budget.
4. Take advantage of a shipping calculator
Reducing package weight and dimensions, selecting economy shipping are great ways to avoid overpaying for international shipping. But it might be hard to see how much one or the other change actually affects the final cost. And that’s where you can take advantage of a shipping rates calculator.
It’s a handy tool that calculates the shipping cost for you. All you need to do is to measure and weigh your parcel. Then, you type in the numbers, and the calculator estimates how much sending it overseas will cost.
The best part is that you can play with the numbers a little and check what is more beneficial, for instance, choosing a box with a smaller width or height. Tweaking with the numbers may take up some time, but it’s helpful in making certain packaging decisions.
5. Look for an affordable international shipping company
Finally, search for a shipping company with affordable rates. There’s a great selection of carriers so don’t be in a hurry to pick the first or the second you find. Take your time and compare the shipping prices together with the benefits offered. That’s the surest way to keep international shipping costs low and not lose on the quality.
Reducing expenses for sending packages overseas requires time and effort. But it pays off in the end as it enables you to ship internationally for cheaper.
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