Shipping guides and resources
Plain answers to the questions people ask before they send a parcel abroad: customs, pricing, packing and what is allowed.
Customs and duties
What is DDP shipping?
DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. The sender pays the import duties and taxes in advance, so the parcel is delivered with nothing left for the receiver to pay.
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How import duties work for parcels to the UK
Parcels to the UK can attract two charges: import VAT and customs duty. Whether you pay depends on what is inside, what it is worth, and whether it is a gift.
Read guideShipping guides
How to ship from Lahore to the USA
Sending a parcel from Lahore to the US takes five steps. Most delays come from step three, the paperwork, so that is where to take care.
Read guideAir freight vs. sea freight
Air freight is fast and costs more per kilo. Sea freight is slow and costs far less per kilo. The right choice depends on how much you are sending and how soon it has to arrive.
Read guidePricing
How courier rates are calculated
Two parcels of the same weight can cost very different amounts. Here is what actually decides the price.
Read guideWhat is volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight, turns the size of a box into a weight. Couriers charge whichever is higher: that or the real weight.
Read guidePacking and restrictions
How to pack a parcel for international shipping
An international parcel is handled many times, often by machines, and may be opened at customs. Pack it to survive a drop and to be easy to inspect and reseal.
Read guideItems you cannot send abroad
Some items are banned on every route; others are fine to one country and refused by another. These are the ones that catch people out most often.
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