If you're thinking about booking a courier service, it may seem like a complicated process. But if you break it down step-by-step, sending a parcel becomes easy. Whether you need to send a one-off parcel or you’re a business wanting to partner with a courier company such as Greg Paulson Same Day Couriers Ltd., here's a bit of a guide which will hopefully make it easier for you. 

1. Prohibited Items List 

You'll need to make sure your item can be sent with a courier service. All courier companies will have a list of prohibited items that strictly cannot be carried by themselves or on any service, whether it be for safety or security purposes. These items usually include perishable foods & hazardous and dangerous.

2. Pack your parcel carefully 

Courier services will require you to package your item securely before handing it to them, no courier service will accept an item that is not packaged. An item that is not securely packaged poses a risk of damage not only to itself, but to other items being transported within the courier network. When you send your parcel with a same day courier service, the likelihood of your item getting damaged is extremely slim. 

Packaging your item in a strong, double-walled cardboard box means it is less likely to collapse or tear under whilst in transit. If you’re sending a fragile item, make sure it is well internally protected, too. Bubble wrap will give your items extra cushioning inside. It is also worthwhile marking your box as ‘fragile’, this will serve as a reminder to those handling your parcel that it should be handled with care. 

3. Measure Your Parcel 

The price of your shipment is determined by your parcel’s weight and dimensions. You’ll be required to provide these details at the point of booking any courier service, and it’s important to ensure they are as accurate as possible. 

4. Compare Quotes 

Don’t just book with the first courier company you see. As with almost anything, you can shop around until you find the best deals. You’ll find that different courier services offer different courier costs. The easiest way to compare quotes is to use a courier comparison service. That way, you’ll be able to see all of the services available to you, and you can simply choose the one that best suits your needs. 

5. Book Your Courier 

Once you’ve selected the courier that best suits your needs, simply book your service. Many courier services will offer an online booking system, meaning you can arrange everything from the comfort of your own home. You’ll need your parcel details as well as your collection and delivery address details on hand in order to finalise your booking. If required you can also research your chosen courier’s compensation cover policy for loss or damage.

6. Print And Attach Shipping Labels 

The last step to booking a courier service is printing and attaching your shipping labels to your parcel. Most, if not all, courier services will email these labels to you. 

If you are sending goods on a customs controlled route, for example, from the UK to the USA, you will need to complete customs paperwork. These are documents that travel with your parcel, which contain a declaration about the goods you are importing into the destination country. It is also very important to keep in mind that each and every country’s customs regulations differ slightly. For example, Trans-Pacific shipping to or from Asia or Australia goes through different protocols than Trans-Atlantic shipping to the US or UK.  Without this paperwork, your parcel will not make it past your local country border. Shipping goods internationally can be more complex than booking a standard domestic courier service. Most importantly, it requires research on your part.