Today, it is not uncommon for people to have friends, family members, or business associates who live in different parts of the world. And there are many ways to stay in touch with people around the world, such as texting, live video chat, instant messaging, or sending emails. But if you want to send a Christmas present to your aunt who lives abroad, for example, you can use an international parcel service. The demand for cross-country and cross-continental deliveries has been steadily increasing over the years. If you are not familiar with the package delivery industry, choosing the right courier service can be a very confusing task. Here are some tips on how to choose the best international parcel services:

1. The first thing to do is verify the exact location of the business. If the service provider is close to your pickup point, it will save you time and money.

2. If you plan to send important documents to an international address, opt for overseas courier services instead of local ones. Many international courier companies offer overnight express package delivery to nearby countries.

3. Instead of choosing well-known courier companies, you can opt for an intermediary package delivery service provider. The services provided by the intermediary providers are usually more affordable than those of the major courier companies.

4. Always find out about the compensation offered by the courier company in case your package is damaged or lost. The amount of compensation varies between companies and services, but you can usually get up to $100 per item. What is more surprising, although the broker couriers are usually less expensive than the established ones, both offer comparable compensation.

5. If you want to ship a valuable item, it is advisable that you purchase shipping insurance for your package. Insurance is offered at an affordable rate and can cover up to $2,000 worth of items. It is also highly recommended to check the terms and conditions before approving the payment of the additional surcharge.

6. There are several types of international delivery services, including Express and Rapid options. Learn about the features offered by each type of service so you can find the one that suits your needs. Find out about the delivery time, rate, as well as the terms and conditions.

7. Although international shipments normally do not have a package size limit, most couriers will ask you about the measurements of your package. This is to determine which type of shipping you should choose. Larger packages are usually shipped by air or sea, while smaller ones are delivered in containers.