key points:
- Factors to consider when deciding on the best international shipping service include: delivery speed, shipping restrictions, weekend delivery, insurance, tracking and more
- dhl, fedex , dv schenker and ups are some of the most popular shipping services when shipping items overseas
- connect with easyship and instantly save up to 91% off shipping rates at over 250 courier companies , including international
Ask any marketer and they’ll tell you that the key to growing your business is meeting your audience wherever they are. In the case of growing an internationally beloved brand, you will probably have to start shipping internationally.
To get your global brand off the ground, you’ll want to partner with the international shipping companies that will offer you the best shipping rates and the most reliable service to keep your customers delighted and satisfied.
there are many, many companies that ship internationally, and you can choose which courier, or courier companies! — is best suited to your business needs. The beauty of shipping is that you can choose which couriers you work with and for what.
The following article gives you an overview of the top 10 couriers that ship packages abroad and how you can take advantage of easyship’s shipping tools to compare them. Let’s get started!
how to choose the best international shipping company
Here are some factors to consider when deciding which companies to trust with your global e-commerce shipments.
delivery speed
For faster deliveries, working with an international carrier that can handle mission-critical deliveries via overnight shipping or expedited airfreight can be a lifesaver when handling critical situations. Working with international shipping companies that provide excellent ocean or ltl shipping will be the solution for slow deliveries.
Whatever the case, keep in mind that working with the faster international shipping carrier incurs additional shipping fees, while the cheaper international shipping courier may have favorable rates, but slower speeds.
shipping restrictions
Shipping restrictions take several forms. You’ll want to consider handling hazardous materials, as not all companies will work with products that contain materials considered hazardous.
In addition, there are weight limits and size restrictions. You should be familiar with the size and weight limits of the shipping companies you are considering working with.
delivery on weekend
Sometimes your buyers’ delivery dates fall on weekends, and if an international carrier doesn’t deliver on weekends, you’ll have to wait two more days until Monday next week. It’s helpful to know if the carriers whose services you’re considering deliver on Saturdays.
safe
What will happen if your package is lost or damaged in transit? International shipping is fraught with risk, far more so than domestic shipping, making insurance coverage a necessity.
Many shipping companies offer insurance coverage, but if not, it is advisable to take out your own policy. easyship offers you up to $10,000 insurance to insure your cargo in transit.
tracking
International shipments take longer than domestic deliveries, and the long wait can turn into a frustrating nightmare for your buyers when they can’t see what’s happening to their precious items in transit. this makes package tracking capabilities a critical factor to consider when deciding on the best international shipping services.
shipping rates
Finding an affordable option for shipping packages abroad can be a game changer for your bottom line. you need to know and compare the types of rates and discounts offered by various international shipping courier services.
Be sure to strike a balance between shipping rates and other factors, as cheaper options may not have the same speed or customer service as more expensive ones.
delivery to remote areas
International shipping means you are shipping packages to buyers in different countries, and they may not be located near major cities. You need to know if your carrier delivers in remote rural areas to the various destinations you want to ship to.
If partnering with a third-party carrier to handle last-mile deliveries in rural areas, you need to know how that affects quality of service and package tracking capabilities so you don’t end up with dissatisfied customers.
customer service
Customer care cannot be left out of the equation when choosing a company to handle your worldwide deliveries. If your courier is unresponsive or unhelpful, it can not only be frustrating for you but also for your customer and could even leave them with a negative impression of your business after the purchase.
10 best international shipping companies
Here’s a rundown of the best international shipping companies to consider based on your clients’ needs and location.
1. dhl
dhl is one of the leading international shipping companies, striking a delicate balance between fast and affordable international shipping services. is considered one of the best international transport companies with an extensive logistics network so that your shipments reach hundreds of different countries around the world overnight.
dhl is better for…
- handle express small package shipments around the world
- when your shipments are dangerous goods that require special handling and documentation, dhl is a strong competitor
- options as road & rail freight, as well as air & international standard ocean shipping
- expedited air shipping options
- delivery to remote areas
However, DHL does not ship domestically within the US. uu. and they do not send live animals.
2. fedex
fedex is among the largest and most competitive international shipping companies. This can be your supplier of choice when you need to ship between the USA. uu. and other country
FedEx is best for:
- international delicate and fragile shipments
- climate-controlled shipping services for temperature-sensitive and perishable items
- faster shipping times, such as overnight international delivery next and two-day services at affordable prices
- priority and economical freight shipping options for ltl shipments
- pallet-level tracking that maintains visibility of every pallet in your shipment
- shipping unlimited total weight, except for skates over 2200 lbs., requires special approval.
- customer service
- saturday deliveries
3. db schenker
db schenker is one of the largest international companies with headquarters in germany and more than 2,000 locations worldwide. This international courier service offers ground, air, sea and package delivery services and is an excellent choice for all your shipping needs within Europe or international freight shipping.
db schenker is best for:
- parcel services across europe
- free shipping (ltl) services at 720 locations across europe
- fastest international ground shipping with time options fixed delivery rate</li
- shipping worldwide via sea and airfreight
- cheaper international shipping via cheap airfreight
- international package tracking without inconveniences and fixed transit times
- shipping solutions for perishable food and beverage products
while db shenker is a great option for air or sea shipments, it is not a great option for parcel and ltl services outside of europe, and you may need to find another international courier for these services if your target market it is not. in Europe.
5. r+l carriers
This company is excellent for both full truckload (ftl) and ltl shipments, operating a fleet of about 13,00 tractor-trailers. r + l also offers international air and sea shipping.
r+l carriers are best for:
- high value or high risk shipments
- shipments that need temperature control
- ltl shipments between the united states and mexico
- fast international freight Ships via expedited shipping options such as r+l business critical guaranteed am, r+l business critical weekend express, and r+l business critical guaranteed hourly window.
While R+L carriers are great for confidential international freight shipping, they do not offer small package shipping services.
6. ups and downs
oops shouldn’t go unnoticed. as well as being a household name within the us. uu. Due to its fantastic domestic services, this international courier service has an extensive logistics network in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide and is versatile enough to handle almost all types of shipping needs.
UPS is best for:
- shipment of live pets
- transportation of dangerous goods
- delivery of all packages within five days of receipt
- overnight and two-day delivery options for expedited services at additional cost
- sea and air freight shipments worldwide
- expedited ground freight services for shipments from usa . uu. to mexico
- website tools to help you complete customs paperwork and schedule shipments
- advanced tracking capabilities
6. yrc freight
If you want to ship large shipments internationally or domestically within North America, YRC Freight is a very competitive option to consider. yrc freight is great for ltl shipping, but their freight services are limited to north america.
yrc freight is best for:
- two-day and overnight delivery
- temperature-controlled shipping
- best international rates for freight shipping to canada or mexico from usa. USA
- expedited air freight options for time-critical shipments
- with no size or weight restrictions, making it ideal for large shipments
7. dtdc
Headquartered in mumbai, dtdc has an extensive network and extends its shipping services to more than 240 countries worldwide. If you’re looking for the best international courier service to serve your customers in India, you can’t go wrong with dtdc.
dtdc is best for:
- fast mail and parcel delivery services across india
8. blue dart
Headquartered in Chennai, this international courier company extends its services to more than 220 countries around the world and has channels in 33,739 areas. It is famous for domestic and international shipping services throughout Asia.
The blue dart is best for:
- transport electronics, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, auto parts and clothing
- shipping in asia
9. publish
Headquartered in Europe, Postnlo offers its international courier services in countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and the UK. If you want to offer your customers in the eurozone a streamlined shipping experience, postnl can be one of the shipping courier services.
postnl is best for:
- small packets, envelope-sized mail and e-commerce
- shipping between European countries
10. royal mail
royal mail is an international shipping company owned by the uk government. royal mail, founded in 1516, is considered one of the safest and most reliable international transport companies, offering excellent and transparent international courier services.
Royal Mail is best for:
- UK shipping
- Daily deliveries excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays
compare your international shipping services with easyship
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the right international courier service to handle your parcel deliveries around the world. It can be challenging to review all the factors and make an informed decision, or series of decisions if you mix and match services.
Easyship provides shipping tools to help you search for international shipping companies, making your decision hassle-free.
include:
- courier service comparison tool: with our courier service comparison tool you can compare different services offered by the best international transport companies. compare and contrast features like weekend delivery, tracking, weight limit, lead times, surcharges and insurance, among other services, all in one easy-to-use dashboard.
- rate calculator Shipping: Our shipping calculator helps you estimate shipping rates and times for different couriers. With our rates feature at checkout, you can upload your product catalogs and set up “shipping rules” so that our shipping software remembers your courier preferences by destination.
Sign up for a free easyship account today to connect with our global network of over 250 shipping solutions and discounts of up to 91%
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- how to ship to europe: a detailed guide for merchants from electronic commerce