It takes much more than good intentions to get a parcel together, out the door, and into the mail with the correct postage and address format. While sending a parcel won’t save you from the fires of hell, it will certainly earn you a high ranking position on my list of favorite people.
With the hopes of parcel notices appearing in my mailbox, I have compiled my postal wisdom from living abroad in places which range from the highly developed and organized to the lands of bribes and delays. Whether you are on the sending or receiving end, these ten ideas and tip for preparing and mailing parcels abroad can make good intentions a reality.
1. News on paper.
One of the biggest shocks for those living abroad is to learn that life “back home” does go on without them. To help the recipient feel included and updated, include a few pieces of news in their parcel. Good starting points are current photos, news clippings from their hometown, wedding and graduation announcements, and of course, hand-written notes.
2. DVDs
Far away from home, and often from their native tongue as well, watching a DVD is a great way to unwind at the end of the day. First, be sure that their DVD player is compatible with DVDs sold in the US, also called Region 1. Consider buying a television series rather than a full-length movie that requires a few hours of free time. Slip the DVD into a paper case to save both space and weight, and more importantly to avoid the recipient being charged import taxes on new items.
3. Mix things up.
There’s nothing like a taste of home, from a mix. Lightweight and incredibly useful, powder mixes are always a big hit. Tried and true favorites include Ranch and Italian dressing, instant Jell-O and pudding, taco and chili seasonings, and calorie-free drinks. Seal powders and other food items in zipper bags to prevent spills and moisture damage.
4. Skip the books.
Instead of paying to mail heavy books abroad, consider buying a magazine subscription for the recipient. There are magazines available for every interest and most ship internationally. You only pay once, but the gift keeps on giving at the beginning of each month!
5. Keep it at 100 calories.
It’s easy to miss little goodies and treats from home, especially during the holidays. If you’ve ever tried sending a bag of Jelly Beans or Chips Ahoy cookies by mail, you know that the weight of these items can really jack up the shipping costs. One solution is to buy the small, 100-calorie packages instead. These can really quench a craving, and still earn you brownie points for having sent them.
6. Music to my ears.
There have been great improvements in streaming radio over the past few years, but much of the access is limited outside the U.S. For the music lover abroad, CDs are an excellent gift, not to mention lightweight and easy to pack in CD mailer envelopes. Again, remember to remove the cellophane in order to avoid import taxes.
If you’ve forgotten a birthday or waited too long to send a Christmas parcel, consider buying a gift certificate from an online music supplier, such as Wal-Mart, AOL, iTunes, or many others. The gift certificates can be purchased online, and are then e-mailed to the recipient, allowing them to download the songs they want immediately.
7. Pack well.
Between your house and the recipient’s hands lies a long and bumpy road for your parcel. Packing well can eliminate crushed goodies and spirits upon opening. First, choose a sturdy box. Pack fragile items well and fill any empty spaces in the box. Crumpled newspaper works well as a lightweight filler and protective layer. Remember to remove cellophane and price tags from new items. Before sealing the box, include inside a slip of paper with the recipient’s mailing address. Tape the box, covering the corners, with packing tape.
8. Write this down.
The right half of the top parcel surface should be reserved for the destination address, postage, labels, and postal notations. Write the recipient’s name and address legibly in ink or use a printed label. The destination country should stand alone on the last line in capitals letters. Addresses in Russian, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Japanese, or Chinese characters must include the country of destination in English.
Write the complete return address, including ZIP Code and country of origin, in the upper left corner of the address side of the parcel.
9. Postage and Customs
The United States Postal Service website (www.usps.com ) is an excellent resource for calculating and printing postage from home. In most cases, Global Airmail Parcel Post is a good option. However, the best source of information for choosing a shipping method is the recipient as they know the local postal service. Ask if the parcel should be expedited, tracked, insured, sent Airmail or Economy.
The appropriate customs forms are available from your local Post Office or from the USPS website. You will need to list the items included in the parcel and their approximate value.
10. Toot your own horn.
Even with good labeling and accurate postage, sometimes parcels do get lost in the mail. When mailing a parcel overseas, let the recipient know that it’s on the way. Good intentions may not be worth much, but knowing that you acted on them is certainly appreciated!
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By Kari Masson, a freelance writer for travel, cross-cultural, and expatriate-focused publications. More than 50 of her articles have appeared in North America, Europe, and Africa. If you are looking to add dynamic creativity to your publication, contact Kari at
www.jkmassonprint.blogspot.com