Today, there are many companies offering private courier services for shipments. Such as the Italian Post Office are couriers that can handle your parcel shipment both in Italy and anywhere in the world. In fact, express courier services have evolved a lot in recent years with a renewed offer for private citizens who are interested in sending a parcel occasionally.
When it comes to urgent shipments, individuals have very different priorities and needs from companies and e-commerce.
In this article we offer useful information for people who are interested in sending a parcel occasionally. The article examines both private courier services for shipping and the needs of this audience. We will focus our attention on the best services of express courier to ship under the most advantageous conditions for the customer.
What are the needs of customers who have to send parcels?
As mentioned above, private individuals generally have very different needs from those of a company. Consequently, express courier services for this category of customers also have different characteristics from those aimed at large retailers. Let us look at some of their characteristics.
The customer makes occasional shipments
In contrast to companies, private individuals ship parcels discontinuously. The requirement is to send a parcel only once and to have a fast service. In fact, it is very rare that an individual has to send parcels on a weekly or monthly basis, as a company would.
Shipping heavy parcels
Generally, except for extraordinary events, private individuals do not need to send heavy parcels. A parcel is defined as heavy when it exceeds 25 kg in weight.
Customers who need to send urgent documents
Private couriers for those who need to send documents often offer very competitive services. For example, this is the case if you need to send an urgent letter or parcel quickly in Italy and abroad with delivery within 24 hours. .
Shipping parcels when moving house
Individuals who have to make a move to a city in the same country or a short distance away tend to rely on movers. Those, on the other hand, who are moving to another country often only have a few suitcases to take on the plane. A private courier is able to ship additional luggage quickly and cost-effectively.
For more information see the international removals cheap.
Additional services of private couriers
To complete its offer of expedited shipping, the private courier company provides customers with a number of additional services. These are, for instance, the possibility to book a pick-up of the shipment at home or to insure the parcel to be shipped.
Again, each private courier offers additional services that correspond directly to the needs of individuals.
Home collection
people are usually busy at work for most of the day. So they will not have time to go to the branch in person to send a parcel or post urgent documents. Beware of this fact, some private couriers offer this service free of charge, while others charge a fee.
Scheduled parcel delivery
This is perhaps the most important express courier service for private individuals for those who are employed. Indeed, employees are away from home all day. Very often, people cannot arrange for a parcel to be picked up at their place of work. In cases like this or, for example, those who do not have access to a doorman, can receive their parcels in the evening or on Saturdays.
Assistance with customs documents and customs clearance
Express couriers for private individuals generally offer the possibility of unloading the customs documents to accompany the shipment. Some provide a list of the documents required to ship a parcel free of charge to help customers with no experience in parcel shipping. Still others offer assistance with customs clearance. These services are particularly useful for those unfamiliar with the procedures of shipment outside the EEC.
Packaging
It is sometimes difficult to measure the parcel accurately, especially for private individuals ordering a shipment online. Many couriers therefore provide predefined package shapes for shipping small and large parcels. Express couriers for private individuals are of great help in giving practical advice not only on filling in the documents but also on how to pack the parcel.
The private courier with the best services
Not all private couriers are the same. While some articulate their offer with businesses in mind, others mainly target companies. For this reason, it can be more difficult to find the courier that meets your needs for efficiency, reliability and, very importantly, price.
We have selected for you the private couriers with the most suitable parcel services for those who need to send a parcel in Italy and abroad.
UPS
The UPS courier caters to both private citizens and companies of all kinds. The services they offer as a private courier service take into account the specific needs of this category of customers. In fact, on its website UPS recognises the need for customers to be able to take advantage of home collection and personalised delivery of shipments.
Read more at’UPS offer.
DHL as private courier
Also DHL has developed express courier services for the public. In fact, DHL does not bind anyone to recurring parcel shipments. On the contrary, it respects the need of private customers to make occasional shipments.
Like other Express Couriers for private individuals, DHL offers additional services that are very useful for individual shippers with occasional shipping needs. For example, with the Neutral Delivery Service, the recipient of the shipment will not be informed of the value of the goods and will not incur any customs fees.
Further details can be read on the private courier DHL.
Private courier TNT
The private courier TNT offers a range of parcel services that are tailored to customers' needs. One of these is the luggage forwarding service, which allows you to ship suitcases throughout Italy and Europe. Here, then, are the offers of this express courier for private individuals.
Very special private courier services include the shipment of personal items such as luggage and scooters. Let us look at some of them:
- luggage forwardingTNT offers two different options for shipping your luggage:
- luggage service in Italy and Europeup to four items of luggage can be sent per order and you can only pay in cash.
- easy luggage serviceThis service is, however, only available in Italy, France, Switzerland and Austria. To provide this service to private individuals, TNT works with Trenitalia on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, Intercity, Eurocity and Euronight trains.
- scooter expressTNT has developed this service to transport scooters, motorbikes and bicycles up to 250 kg. This private courier service ships one-way or round-trip within Italy as well as to some European countries.
Choosing the right private courier
After informing yourself about the characteristics of the companies offering the various private couriers, all that remains is for you to choose one. Based on the information gathered and shared in this article, you have a list of criteria to refer to when deciding who to send your parcels with.
- pay attention to the online functionality of the courier site;
- easy access to customer service;
- no contractual obligation;
- ancillary services and customisation of the order.
This includes, for example, home pick-up and the possibility of Saturday delivery. Consequently, we advise you to choose the courier that best suits your individual needs, preferably free of charge.
Tailor-made private courier service
The best couriers for private individuals provide services for sending a parcel specifically designed for individuals who need to make occasional shipments. It is therefore possible to access a variety of additional services to customise the shipment: from home collection of the shipment, to the scheduled delivery of the parcel.
Whether you have to make international shipments or that you should send a parcel to Italy, carefully choose your private courier. To do so, simply evaluate the elements we have described in this article.
If, however, you find it difficult to find your way around the many services available, you can contact one of our shipping professionals. SpedizioneComoda.co.uk understands the needs of our customers and can help you choose the courier that best suits your needs. With SpedizioneComoda.comoda.co.uk you can ship with DHL, UPS and TNT at the lowest price and with home collection included in the price. You can also configure your shipment and choose the shipping option that is most cost-effective or closest to your organisational needs.
