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How To Find An International Courier
Sending items domestically is easy, but when you need to send an item abroad it can be a lot more of a tricky experience. You will likely need to collect quotes for yourself, either through various web pages or through a phone book, and it is hard to get an idea of what service would be best for you.
On Shiply, we aim to make the experience of finding an international courier to move your items as easy as possible. Whether you are moving abroad, sending items home from a holiday, or just sending items to relatives, you can find someone to carry out your delivery on Shiply.
There are hundreds of international courier services on our platform ready to bid on your job, often at rates up to 75% cheaper than standard, and it only takes a few minutes to start
How Much Does An International Courier Cost?
Given the vast differences in price between shipping locations, it is not really possible to give an accurate estimate of how much your international courier service will move, but to give a better idea, here are the main factors involved:
Distance - Whether you are sending your items to a neighbouring country or another continent will have a large impact on the cost of an international courier service, with shorter journeys typically costing less.
Size/Weight - What you need to ship will also affect the cost. A container, for example, will cost far, far more to move via an international courier than a small box would.
Timings - Should you require your items to be shipped via international courier by a certain time or date, this will significantly impact the pricing of your quotes. International couriers on our platform are typically making a similar journey already and want to ensure they are not travelling with any empty space. The more flexible you are able to be, the cheaper the prices will be.
How Can Shiply Help Find International Couriers?
With such a large number of options out there to carry out your international courier needs, how do you go about choosing the right one? This is where our platform works best.
You just need to provide some very basic information about your international courier requirements such as the item/s that need to be moved, the collection and delivery locations, and the desired timings. Once you have uploaded these you will start to receive quotes, often within a few minutes, to carry out your international delivery needs. Shiply gives you one easy place to collect and compare all of your options, with the added ability to see feedback, ratings, and message anyone with any further questions you may have.
These aren’t the only benefits either. As was highlighted earlier, international couriers on Shiply are often making a trip already and do not want to waste empty space. For this reason they can offer much improved rates, often up to 75% cheaper than standard, as their costs are already considered for their current loads. By utilising this empty space, you are also helping to
Preparing For Your International Courier Service
If you have assessed your options, selected one, and booked it, then it is time to prepare for your items to be picked up. We suggest the following steps:
Documents - Generally, when items are sent abroad, they need some sort of accompanying paperwork or customs documents to ensure that the entry and exit are legal. You should always ensure you have this documentation sorted before your items are picked up by an international courier to avoid any late issues.
Packing - You should make sure that whatever you are sending is sufficiently protected to avoid damage occurring during transit. We recommend bubble wrap and packing peanuts.
Cleaning - Giving your items a good clean before they are picked up by an international courier is a good way to observe their condition before the trip.
Photographs - You should also aim to take some high-quality, time-stamped photographs of your items to serve as proof of condition prior to pick-up.
What To Do After Delivery
Once your international courier has delivered your items, you should see that their condition is checked over as soon as possible, and any issues should be raised with the international courier service immediately.
Finally, we also ask that you leave feedback and a score for your chosen transport company so that users on our platform in the future can know what to expect from them.
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As Shiply's delivery companies are already making similar trips, quotes are up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shiply Cover My Area?
Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.
Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?
There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.
How Can I Contact Shiply Support?
Shiply Support is available from 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday. You can send an email to .
Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?
Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.
When Will I Receive A Quote?
You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.
How Many Quotes Will I Receive?
Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.
Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?
If your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.
Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?
Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.
Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?
Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.
Can I Travel With My Goods?
The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.
What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?
If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.
Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?
If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .
How Shiply Works
How Shiply Works
- 1
Request quotes from our 454,662 rated transport providers.
- 2
Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right delivery quote for you.
- 3
Sit back and relax while your item is safely delivered by your chosen transport provider.
Recent Deliveries
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How Shiply Helps The Environment
By utilising spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to transport the item.
Recent Testimonials
Mark W.
"Simple and effective, will be using regularly. Good value and makes the process of moving big things around so much easier!"
Sandy B.
"In a matter of hours, I received an offer that matched my budget from a company with very good feedback. I love being able to rely on Shiply for getting the precious finds from eBay across the country for a reasonable price."
John G.
"Shiply fills the gaps between getting bulky items collected and delivered and you having to go get them yourself. Used them many times, saves me lots of time and money."
Charlotte H.
"All went very smoothly and easily and the courier whose bid I accepted were lovely, good communication, and helpful. Couldn't fault at all and would certainly use again."