Compare GLS shipping costs with Bartolini, DHL, TNT and UPS

How to Understand Express Courier Quotes

When it comes to fast and reliable shipping with a courier company, it is important to correctly interpret the prices of the services offered. In fact, there are four elements that influence courier rates. When you receive a quote from an express courier, make sure that the price offered includes them all.

1. package dimensionsvolumetric weight and weight are the units of measurement that couriers generally use to determine the cost of shipping. This is calculated by multiplying the height, length and depth of the parcel and dividing them by an arbitrary coefficient;
2. parcel weightat the same time costs and rates for shipping a parcel can also depend on weight alone. After documenting both the size and weight of the parcel, the courier will determine the price using the highest value;
3. shipping destinationClearly, by influencing the cost of fuel, the destination of the shipment determines the final cost of the service. In general, couriers calculate the price of the service from the origin of the shipment;
4. delivery timesIn most cases, the faster the delivery, the higher the prices. However, the price difference between a traditional and an express courier is often minimal. Moreover, in contrast to traditional postal services, express couriers offer additional services that make shipping more reliable and secure.

Extra costs and additional courier services

Quotations for express delivery services do not always offer the same services. Due to this disparity, the comparison of offers becomes difficult. Consequently, before placing an order, it is important to carefully examine the prices in the quotations for an accurate comparison of the compared offers.

• supplementary insurance on shipped goodsas required by law, couriers offer a minimum refund in case of loss or damage of the parcel. Consequently, when contacting a courier for an order, it may be a case of negotiating the’supplementary insurance of the expedition;
• value added tax (VAT): the estimated price is in almost all cases not inclusive of VAT. Couriers choose not to include VAT in the estimate because it is difficult to estimate it in advance. In fact, the final value will ultimately depend on the VAT chargeable on the type of goods shipped;
• customs costsThe quotation does not include costs related to taxes, customs duties and extraordinary customs clearance costs for extra-EU shipments. These depend on the shipper and the type of goods shipped. Whether you ship with UPS, DHL, TNT, BRT or GLS courier costs and duties are not determined by the courier;
• home collection and personalised delivery: the majority of express courier quotes offer services of home collection and personalised delivery as an option. In fact, it is also possible to provide collection and delivery of the parcel on Saturdays. Always remember, however, that these services are very often chargeable.

GLS shipping costs: prices and services included

GLS, which stands for General Logistics Systems, is a Dutch company, today part of the British Royal Mail. Although this courier is very popular in Europe, it has a smaller branch network than DHL, TNT or UPS.

In fact, although GLS delivers to the entire European continent, it only serves some states through partners. The service to the United States is even more restricted, as it is only able to reach the country's major cities.

It is also rather complex to obtain an online quotation from GLS on prices for international parcels. The range of shipping services offered is also restricted compared to other couriers. Below is the GLS offer for express shipping.

GLS express courier services

In addition, the GLS Express service only includes the minimum shipping insurance according to the Geneva Convention. This formula provides for compensation of 1€ per kg of lost or damaged goods. In any case, the compensation may not exceed 80€.

If you want one of the following services, you will have to pay an additional payment on top of the starndard prices of shipping with GLS.

• Pick&Return service, which allows you to book home collection for parcels up to 40 kg;
• supplementary insurance service, available in three formulas:
  • ad Valorem, a formula with a customisable ceiling:
  • 10/10, for a compensation of up to €10 per kilogram;
  • all-in, up to €1,500, with no deductibles or excesses.
• proof of delivery service, to verify online the time and date of delivery of the shipment.

Unlike other couriers, the GLS site does not have a calculator with which to make an estimate for dispatch parcel. Consequently, you must contact the company by e-mail or telephone to obtain a quotation.

Quotes for express courier BRT (Bartolini)

BRT, also known as Bartolini, is an Italian courier company that deals with fast shipments from Italy to home and abroad. Despite being a reliable courier with decades of experience, BRT is not a leader in the international shipments.

So far, BRT has made fast deliveries in Italy its strong point. On the other hand, the company relies on the giant FedEx for international air shipments, and thus for all faster deliveries. For European transports, on the other hand, BRT works with DPD Group and EuroExpress.

There is no BRT price list that can be consulted directly online. The only way to get a shipping quote with Bartolini is to contact the customer service. Alternatively, BRT customers can access the dedicated online service to calculate the shipping quote and make estimates.

BRT express courier services (online quotations)

You can find the BRT offer for sending a parcel quickly to Italy below. When requesting a quote from Bartolini for send a parcel to Italy, the services offered are those listed in the table below:

Again, BRT shipping prices include statutory insurance coverage. The following services, on the other hand, are available for a fee:

• notice to addressee, both to the entrustment of the shipment and to the attempted delivery;
• proof of delivery available online;
• delivery to private individuals on the floor, scheduled o delivery to the neighbour;
• supplementary shipment insurance, available in two formulas:
  1. AC Base, which allows goods to be insured up to €6.20 per kg, for all risks, and without any deductible or excess;
  2. AC Plus, is a customisable formula.
• stock management and left notice.

If you want to send a parcel with BRT, prices and rates are in line with those imposed by FedEx for international air shipments.

Choosing between GLS and others: the best express delivery services compared

The best choice to organise a fast shipment from Italy to abroad in a short time is to rely on an experienced courier company. These are, for example, UPS, DHL and TNT (now part of FedEx).

To get an approximate idea of the cost of a fast international shipment, we simulated a shipment from Italy to the United States. The following quotations show the cost for an express shipment of documents from Rome to New York. Since these are documents, the weight of the parcel is therefore approximately 1 kg.

UPS: available services, costs and delivery times

When comparing the BRT, GLS, UPS prices of the respective quotes, one must consider the services included in the shipping cost. For example, in the case of UPS, these are included:

• dispatch notification, exception in case of delay, and delivery services;
• proof of delivery online;
• Saturday delivery in countries where Saturday is a working day.

Consequently, compared to the offer included in the BRT or GLS courier prices, the cost of the shipping with UPS includes more services. The following additional services are, however, available for an additional charge:

DHL: available services, costs and delivery times

Compared to BRT or shipping with GLS, prices and rates of shipments with DHL include more services. In fact, DHL guarantees:

• full reimbursement of shipping costs in the event of late delivery for most express services.
• delivery notification;
• free delivery pick-up during standard hours.

Additional shipping services

In addition to shipping, there are a number of additional services that can be purchased for an additional fee:

TNT courier quotes: available services, prices and typical delivery times

Following the acquisition by the international shipping giant, TNT entrusts FedEx with its shipments outside Italy. Consequently, as with BRT, TNT's price list refers to that of FedEx.

The cost of shipping with TNT and FedEx also includes the following services:

• door-to-door collection and delivery of the parcel;
• online delivery notification;
• guarantee of reimbursement of shipping costs in the event of late delivery;
• customs clearance charges for shipments up to 68 kg;
• electronic management of customs documents;
• signature on delivery for shipments with a value of more than 500$.

Courier supplementary services

Compared to shipping with GLS, TNT and FedEx prices and rates promise a wider range of included services. Finally, let's take a look at the ancillary services the company offers:

What services should express courier quotes include?

It is very complex to establish a priori which courier is the best one to rely on for a given number of express courier quotes. Generally speaking, the choice will depend on the goods being shipped, the destination, and the needs and expectations of the person who is to dispatch a parcel. Make sure, however, that you carefully consider the following factors when receiving a quote from a courier:

• services included in the shipping cost: as we have seen, the cost of GLS and BRT shipping includes a smaller amount of services. In contrast, couriers such as DHL, UPS and TNT offer competitive prices including a wide range of services;
• Customer service: the most professional express couriers always offer fast and easy access to their customers. FedEx / TNT, DHL and UPS, for example, allow communication with operators via chat, as well as offering a dedicated customer service telephone number;
• package tracking number: a good fast courier should, at the very least, provide customers with a code to track their shipment;
• possibility of purchasing supplementary insurance: this is extremely important if you are sending valuable items. In addition, as seen, the best companies reimburse shipping costs in case of delay.

Determine who offers between UPS, DHL, TNT / FedEx, BRT, SDA or GLS best prices and services can be complicated. A good solution is, therefore, to rely on an experienced professional in the field of express shipping. You will then be able to more easily identify the courier that best suits your needs.