How to Send Urgent Gifts Overseas: ZendEase Express Shipping vs. Postal Mail

When sending a gift to a relative, a friend, or a lover, the arrival time matters as much as the gift itself. If you’re sending an international gift, specifically, you’d want it to reach the recipient on time and without damage, especially if it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, an important milestone, or a gift just because.

If you’re someone new to international shipping, express air shipping can be a suitable option, especially if speed is your priority. It may cost more compared to postal mail, but it is generally designed for faster transit.

The International Shipping Process

International shipping can be overwhelming and confusing for first-timers, since there are a lot of things to consider. You’d have to be sure of what you’re sending, pack and weigh it properly, choose a courier service and shipping method, prepare documentation, settle customs and taxes, and track your shipment until it reaches your loved one.

There are options you can choose from when shipping gifts overseas; two of them are through postal mail and through express air shipping.

What is Postal Mail Shipping

Postal mail shipping delivers packages through the postal service, such as PHLPost in the Philippines. The government agency handles sending letters through what is known as snail mail, as well as larger shipments for either domestic or international shipping.

What is Express Air Shipping

Express air shipping, meanwhile, is a courier delivery service that transports shipments by air. Delivery times are generally faster, but depend on destination, courier, and other factors.

Most courier services that offer express services partner with logistics providers, which are basically their partners and do the brunt of the shipping.

Express Air Shipping vs. Postal Mail Shipping

When it comes to sending urgent gifts abroad, time is of the essence. This is where the comparison between express air shipping and postal mail shipping is important to consider. Here are a few things where the two options differ:

• Speed - Express air shipping is generally faster when sending gifts, taking only more or less 1 week in terms of international shipment. On the other hand, postal mail shipping takes 2 weeks or more for international shipping.
• Cost - Express air shipping may be a bit expensive because of priority handling, while postal mail shipping might incur additional charges when you want to track your parcel or when you want it delivered faster.
• Customs and documentation - If you choose postal mail shipping, most of the work in terms of customs and documentation is up to you. Whereas if you partner with a courier service that offers express shipping, they can guide you through the process of international shipments, and you can streamline the work to them.

Why Express Air Shipping is Better for Urgent Gifts

• Designed for speed - As said above, express air shipping is designed for speed, so if you’re shipping urgent gifts to an overseas loved one, the shipping option is perfectly suited for you.
• Transparent tracking - Most courier services and logistics providers give you a tracking number after you hand over your shipment to them. This way, you can track your shipment and the time it arrives, which matters for time-sensitive gifts.
• Less risk - Since you’d have to deal with everything when shipping gifts abroad through the postal service, there can be more risks of your shipment having additional taxes and customs inspections. These can be predicted and minimized with express air shipping, as those who offer this service strive to include everything in their costs.
• Keeps the moment behind the gift - It is important for urgent gifts to arrive on or before it is supposed to be, and not a moment beyond. Particularly for milestones, a late gift might be the cause of a misunderstanding or quarrel. With express air shipping, gifts are treated and shipped not just as tangible things, but rather as a testament to the preparedness and careful thought you put into gifting your loved one.

Partner with a Logistics Provider with Express Air Shipping

If your international gift is urgent, ZendEase Express makes sure that it arrives on time, all while minimizing the costs and not overwhelming you with shipping jargon. Register through our platform at https://zendease.com/register and surprise your loved ones!