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International Shipping
The rise of e-commerce around the globe has opened up the options of buyers and sellers from all over the country, but the one issue is that international shipping isn’t always straightforward. There are a number of companies to compare and factors to consider which can often put you off the idea of shipping something internationally, but it doesn’t always have to be so difficult.
On Shiply there are hundreds of international shipping companies ready to send you personalized bids for your item, often up to 75% cheaper than usual rates, but first, you need to collect some basic information about your shipment.
How Much Does International Shipping Cost?
With a large number of variables involved it is very difficult to give any kind of estimate as to how much an international freight quote will be, but below are a number of factors that can affect the cost of your shipment:
Distance - How far your item needs to travel will have an impact on the price of your international shipment. Longer journeys require more fuel and may even require stopovers.
Customs - Along with how far the item needs to travel is to which countries it is traveling to. Customs costs can vary between countries so you will need to look into the laws for your destination, but it could be more costly or cheaper depending on which countries the travel is to and from.
Item Size - How much space your shipment needs to take up will also affect your international shipping quote. Larger and heavier objects will naturally allow for less space for other items and so will cost more to ship.
Timings - If you need your items shipped internationally by a certain time then this will be factored into the price. It may mean that your item needs to be rushed somewhere to get on a boat or plane and you can expect your quote to reflect this. You should also be aware if timings are a concern, that some customs offices can cause unforeseen delays.
How Can Shiply Help Find International Shipping Companies?
With a large choice of companies out there ready to carry out your international shipment, as well as a number of factors and research involved it is no wonder that people often feel overwhelmed when trying to ship overseas. This is where Shiply can help you.
By filling out a simple form that gives us the size of your item, the pickup location, and the delivery location you can start receiving personalized quotes from affordable international shipping companies directly to your Shiply inbox. This gives you one space where you can compare prices and message individual companies asking for further details. Shiply also has a feedback and rating system which allows you to browse international freight quotes with confidence that your chosen company will provide.
Shiply also operates on a backload basis, meaning that international shipping companies are looking for items to fill up empty space in their vehicles. Not only is using our platform good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Preparing Items For International Shipping
There is more preparation that needs to go into an international shipment than a domestic one, here are a few things we recommend doing before your item is picked up:
Documents - International shipping requires a lot more documents than regular shipments. Whilst you will need to do some independent research to know exactly what you need for your shipment in particular (look at customs guidelines for the countries involved), here are a few examples of documents that are sometimes required:
Proforma Invoice
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Certificate of Origin
Bills of Lading
Dangerous Goods Form
Check Condition - You should always check what condition the item being shipped is in before it is picked up. This is just a check to make sure you will be able to identify if any damages occur during transit.
Take Photographs - Rather than committing your condition check to memory, take high-quality photographic evidence with timestamps. This will allow you to accurately compare the item's condition upon arrival to what it looked like before and the photographs are solid evidence of the condition before, should any disputes arrive.
Packing - This may largely depend on how your item is being shipped and will be something you should discuss with your chosen international shipping company, but always ensure your item is well protected with bubble wrap or similar material, and if a pallet is required then make sure your items are securely fastened before they are shipped.
What To Do After Delivery
Once your item has been delivered you should check that its condition is as you expected, this is where the photographs can really come in handy. If there are any issues, raise these immediately with your chosen international shipping company.
If you are happy (or unhappy) with your shipping company then please leave a review and a feedback score, this not only allows them to improve in the future but also helps future Shiply users to spot the best and most trustworthy companies.
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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 only on email, at
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?
f 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 to 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 459,722 rated shipping companies.
- 2
Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.
- 3
Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.
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How Shiply Helps The Environment
By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.
Recent Testimonials
Debra W.
"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."
Patrick G.
"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"
Sophie G.
"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."
Gary M.
"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."