Welcome
As we all know Royal Mail is about to go on strike and with the run up the Christmas no one knows if parcels will be delivered in time.
CourierWatch hopes to make it a little easier for you this Christmas by giving you a list of all the top UK couriers, by using a courier you won't need to worry about that present arriving before after the celebrations are over.
Many businesses should also be considering if they should be using a courier as alternative to Royal Mail, many customers may be put off if you don't offer another postal method
To keep up to date with the Royal Mail Strikes check their Service Information for customers webpage.
UK Couriers
(Website, Tracking, Services and Telephone - With Freephone or Non 0845 (Premium Rate) Alternatives
Business Post
City Link
APC Overnight
FedEx UK
DHL UK
UPS
TNT
InterLink Express
DPD
ParcelForce
Home Delivery Network (HDNL)
CourierWatch strongly advises againt using Home Delivery Network (HDNL) as they have been proven to be extremely unreliable and other couriers offer a far superior service. Ask any retailer who sends their packages via Home Delivery Network (HDNL) to send them via an alternative courier.
How big can my parcel be?
All couriers calculate costs based on the size and weight of items. However, discount courier companies tend to offer flat-rate prices, based on DHL and Parcelforce's standard maximum dimensions:
- DHL: 120 x 60 x 60cm with 31.5Kg max weight
- Parcelforce: 1.5m width & 30Kg
If your parcel outguns these measurements, you'll have to use a specialist courier.
Get your packaging right
This is not just for cosmetic purposes, poor packing can void postal insurance and compensation claims, so package goods properly. You never know how much they'll be thrown around in transit, so take the following precautions:
Measurements.
Make sure to measure and weigh your parcel accurately when getting a quote. If the package is bigger or heavier than stated then you will have to pay a surcharge. Plus, if it exceeds size restrictions it won't fit in the courier companys depot sorting machines and could be damaged, or just returned to you.
Try sending something weighing over 31.5kg, and it probably won't even be accepted, as Health & Safety laws state goods of this weight should be carried by at least two people. Therefore, you will need a specialist service; these may be offered, but will cost more.
Note for international shipments only: International delivery costs are often calculated based on volumetric weight. To work out the volumetric weight of your package, the calculations are usually Length x Width x Height in centimetres divided by 6,000. This gives you the volumetric weight in kilos.
Banned/'no compensation' items.
All couriers have a list of forbidden items that they won't deliver, so most couriers will inspect your items on collection. Thus, it's sensible to leave the top of your packing box open until it's been inspected.
Easily breakable items such as china, or antiques, will only be carried by economy courier services on a ‘no compensation’ basis, meaning if they're valuable look elsewhere.
Packing materials.
All good packing requires is a bit of common sense. Wrap delicate items tightly in bubble wrap. Grab free cardboard boxes from supermarkets, and if you run out of bubble wrap or the item is not very delicate, pad with screwed up newspaper or even popped popcorn.
Delivery forms.
Courier services make you fill in a booking form for each box you send. These can be completed online, or downloaded from the web and printed out. If the form isn’t filled in properly, compensation claims will be invalidated.
Note for international shipments only: To send any items overseas you will need to fill in a more detailed form for tax purposes. It's fairly straightforward, but if you don't fill it out accurately you risk delaying your package in customs, so be careful.
Collection/delivery times.
Sounds obvious, but make sure you're going to be in for the whole of the day. If you miss it, you'll likely have to repay. Most couriers will attempt delivery three times at the destination address before returning items to sender, but always double-check.