6 tips for sending parcels this Christmas

With the festive season in full swing, there’s no need to stress about sending your parcels. Whether you’re shipping gifts or goods, we’re here to ensure everything arrives safely and on time.

To make your Christmas shipping stress-free, we’ve put together a list of helpful tips to guarantee smooth and reliable deliveries.

1. Plan ahead

Planning ahead is a simple way to ensuring your Christmas parcels arrive on time. Most of our carriers will deliver up to Monday, 23rd December, but with the high volume of parcels, delays are possible. We recommend allowing at least one extra working day to stay ahead.

Remember to check the final shipping dates for each carrier, as these can vary by service and destination. Wherever possible, allow extra time to make your shipping experience as seamless as possible.

2. Check customs regulations

If you're sending internationally, it’s important to check the regulations for your destination country to ensure a smooth process. Different couriers and countries have unique rules, and failing to check them could lead to delays or even your gifts being seized.

To keep everything on track, be sure to review our Prohibited and Restricted Items and your chosen carrier’s guidelines before shipping. This will help prevent unexpected issues and ensure your parcels arrive on time.

3. Package appropriately

Damaged shipments can turn Christmas joy into a nightmare. That’s why it's essential to use proper packaging to ensure your parcel arrives in perfect condition. 

Use a sturdy box and fill it with plenty of cushioning materials like bubble wrap. Pack the contents securely enough to withstand a drop from waist height, and don’t rely on “fragile” or “this way up” labels to do the job for you.

While wrapping gifts adds a thoughtful touch, it’s not suitable for shipping, it's best to avoid using decorative wrapping paper on the outer box, as it can tear easily, causing shipping labels to come off. Remember, international shipments may also need to be opened for inspection by customs.

4. Manage your stock

For businesses, keeping your inventory stocked and ready is essential during the rush. By managing your stock properly, you can keep customers happy and avoid delays.

Our fulfilment options are a great solution to ensure fast despatch and can help you skip customs queues by storing inventory locally, keeping your customers happy and your operations efficient.

5. Consider insurance

All of our services include basic insurance cover, free of charge, ranging from £25 to £50 depending on the service. For higher-value items, we offer additional cover up to £2,500 for private shipments, and up to £250,000 for high-value commercial shipments through an insurance broker.

Any additional Insurance can easily be added during the booking process.

6. Choose the best service

Choosing the right delivery option is crucial to ensure your parcels arrive on time and without added costs this Christmas. We offer a range of affordable domestic and international services, including next-day and 48-hour delivery options.

For smaller items like cards or gifts, our Royal Mail Letterbox service is a great choice. Fully tracked and with free insurance up to £100. 

Get in touch:

Whatever your concerns about shipping this Christmas, we’re here to help. Contact our team with any questions, and we’ll do everything possible to support you, Merry Christmas!