If you want to send a gift via a courier, Parcel Monkey will help you find a service that can deliver in the time frame you need. Our couriers can assist you whether you need a service that gets the parcel delivered as cheaply or quickly as possible.
It's a good idea to have a look at the different price options available with Parcel Monkey before you pack your gift as this may give you a direction on how to package them. Compare couriers and make a decision on whether it is cost-effective to combine your gifts into fewer parcels or separate them out.
You might be sending a birthday gift in the UK or Christmas presents overseas, so let us help you get a great price and get the basics of sending gifts correctly.
It is not practical to wrap your gift in just wrapping paper with a nice ribbon on top, when it is going to be passed through vast courier networks, potentially stuck on a plane and pushed through customs. The couriers we work with try to ensure any gift you send is delivered quickly and safely, but it is up to the sender to ensure they follow our packaging guidelines before shipping.
Some brief packaging guidelines include;
Check our restricted items list before you send your item. There is a variety of common gifts which are not suitable to send such as toiletries, as no aerosols or liquids are allowed. Food is not allowed so chocolate or confectionery is a no go. Batteries are not allowed to be sent either, so remove these before sending anything like toys.
Jewellery is commonly sent as are electronics, books and vinyl.
Once your gift is safely wrapped and packaged in the box, it is time to weigh it. You don't want to declare an incorrect weight as the couriers will check this.
You can use weighing scales to get the weight of your item or estimate based on internet listings of your item. Remember to consider the packaging and so overestimate any weights listed. Another way to weigh the package would be to get on the scales yourself holding the box and then without it and the difference will be a close estimate. Add a little extra weight to be sure.
Get the correct dimensions of your box using a tape measure. Provide us with the height, width and length of your box. You can avoid a lot of hassle by simply taking the time to measure the box correctly as the courier will then simply process your gift without any hold ups or extra charges for incorrectly declared dimensions or weight. The couriers use volumetric weight so be sure to spend the time getting this part right.
Always print and attach a label securely to your parcel. If you have customs documents to attach, put them on the outside of the parcel in a clear pouch so that they can be checked by the relevant customs department.
When your parcel has been successfully collected, you will be able to view its progress through the network via following a link in your account dashboard. You can share the tracking number with the recipient so they too can follow the gift until it arrives safely with them.
If you don't have a printer, we do have couriers who can bring a shipping label with them.
When you are booking your parcel for collection, make sure that you give a mobile telephone number. Being able to contact the recipient may help expedite delivery especially for overseas shipments. Also, check the delivery address on Google maps, if the address is found easily on Google then the chances are the courier will have no issue locating it too and ensure that all the delivery address details are in order.
The price of sending a gift with a courier will depend on a number of factors. Where you are sending the gift to, how big it is, how much it weighs and also how quickly you need it to arrive.
When you get a quote for parcel delivery via our comparison site, you can see the cost of delivery but also the transit times. When it comes to sending a gift with a courier, it is probably pretty important hence why you want to book with a premium courier like the ones we work with.
We have a number of options for sending gifts in the UK. You can drop off at a DPD Pickup store from as little as £5.95 + VAT with delivery made in just 1-2 working days.
You can also book Parcelforce Drop Off which is processed via the local Post Office, save on the cost of this service by booking online with us. Just place the order and print the label at home and drop off at the Post Office counter as normal. You can opt for the 24 or 48-hour services depending on how quickly you want them to arrive.
Both of these Drop Off services come with full tracking so you can ensure they arrive on time.
If you prefer that a courier comes to collect from your home or work, then we also have plenty of UK domestic collection services with Parcelforce and DHL Parcel UK who will get your gift collected and delivered the next working day.
If you have left it really last minute, not ideal for birthdays or Christmas presents, then we can still help as we have City Sprint who can collect and deliver on the Same Day. You should also be aware of 'timed services' as the courier can book to come by a particular time such as before 9 am, 10 am or 12 pm.
No printer, no problem. DX Next Day is also available on our site for sending gifts plus if your gift is super-sized, then DX Freight and Tuffnells can cater for this.
Sending gifts out of the UK will take a longer period of time as the parcel will have further to travel. We have Express courier services with DPD, Parcelforce, DHL plus our own Parcel Monkey Air Express option, a hybrid solution generally delivered by DHL, to cater for those gifts that need to be sent overseas quickly.
Depending on where you are sending the gift too, most destinations in Europe can be reached in 2 days, whilst further away places generally take 3-4 days.
The beauty of our quote engine is that you can see the price and transit time as soon as you have provided us with the basic information of where you want to send your parcel to. This will help you decide how much time you have to pack your parcels and arrange their collection.
We can help you make the customs process easy as we provide an easy to complete customs form in the booking process for customers who want to send a gift out of the UK. Simply complete this with as much detail as possible and ask our support team via Live Chat if you need any help.
During peak times, such as the run-up to Christmas, or during inclement weather, there can be delays as the couriers get stretched to the max handling millions of parcels. Be sure to check out our Christmas Posting Dates to stay organised ahead of the busiest time of year.
We do advise that in the month before Christmas that you check this page regularly and send your presents early, especially for international parcels. This will help you avoid any disappointment.
When you are booking your parcel for collection, make sure that you give a mobile telephone number. Being able to contact the recipient may help expedite delivery.
Parcel Monkey have optional protection cover that you can add during the booking process. As long as your item is not prohibited or restricted and you follow the packaging guidelines then this can give you that peace of mind.
Some of our services come with free cover up to £20 if you want to add it on, whilst our Parcelforce services come with free cover up to £60. You can add additional cover up to £1000 during the booking process, or if sending in the UK on the Parcelforce Next Day by 12 pm service you can add cover up to £2500 worth of protective cover. This service is very popular for sending gifts, as you can send more expensive items plus you can ensure the recipient receives the gift in the morning.
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