A Guide to Choosing the Cheapest International Shipping Companies

International shipping is not a cheap task and if you don’t understand it very well, you might end up spending more than you bargained for. However, with the right guidance, it’s just another walk through the park.

Over the past few years, technology has made it easy to ship goods from other countries with ease thanks to the countless number of online stores. But wait, do you even understand what international shipping means? Well, stick around and I will walk you through your first order or your first long term deal with an international shipping company.

What is an international shipping company?

International shipping is basically a term that is used to describe delivery of a package to different country. International shipping company that specializes in shipping goods from one country to the next. They are usually a different entity from the company that’s basically producing the goods for transportation.

Currently, with the development of the internet services, a lot of the online stores present offer international shipping which helps to attract customers from all over the world. These companies are not restricted to selling their goods within a specific country.

With that in mind, because of the different resources involved in getting a parcel through the border from one country to the next, international shipping tends to be a bit more expensive than the domestic deliveries. But that doesn’t mean its impossible. You can also save up a few coins with the right international shipping company if you really know what you are doing.

Before you choose and international shipping company, international courier, Delivery Company or freight forwarder, you will have to compare different freight quotes from various companies. Therefore, it’s not a smart idea to rush into the international shipping business without knowing all the quotes from the available companies. Actually that’s the basic reason you are reading this article.

Through my experiences, I was able to compile a list of the best 10 international shipping companies. I guarantee you, that this information is vital if you want to take your business to the next level. Also, these companies are considered to be among the cheapest international shipping companies.

10 Cheapest international shipping companies present today

• DHL shipping company

This is an international shipping company that was founded in America and now delivers over 1.3 billion parcels every year. DHL started way back in 1969in the USA and expanded throughout the world by the end of the 1970s.

Currently the company focusses mostly on offshore and intercontinental parcel deliveries. Let’s take for example shipping a 20 Pound box from China all the way to the USA. Unfortunately, shipping from USA to China is a bit more expensive when compared to the vice versa. I guess that’s because of the different cost of living in the two regions. All the same, you will have to prepare yourself.

Advantages of Using DHL

• It offers free packing
• DHL has international coverage
• You will only pay according to the volume of your goods regardless of the weight
• The DHL network guarantees safety and solvency.
• You are able to keep track of your goods using different ways. For instance, through web or calling the customer service number
• It offers fast deliveries.

Disadvantages of Using DHL

• DHL has a weak presence in the USA compared to other shipping companies
• It has extra costs associated with pickups and other surcharges that are not present in other couriers

• United Parcel Services- UPS

UPS is one of the largest international shipping companies today. The company was founded in 1907 and over the years has grown to a multi-billion dollar corporation. What’s more, the headquarters of this great company is found in the Sandy Springs, Georgia.

The shipping company operates over 119,000 delivery vehicles worldwide. The company also owns a fleet of airlines for easy international shipping. On top of that, the company also has freight services that will definitely ensure you have your delivery on time and on a budget.

The UPS is a fully integrated international delivery service, offering a range of services to their customers. With this company, you will have the chance to prepare for your shipment online.

Advantages of using UPS

• Deliveries are always on time
• It’s easy to find a UPS drop-off in your vicinity.
• The company offers tracking information. Hence you can follow through your goods
• They have a crystal ball for finding lost goods and items due to their impeccable customer service.

Disadvantages of using UPS

• It’s more expensive compared to other shipping companies.
• They don’t offer any free pickup or package services.
• You won’t have any free Saturday delivery.

• United Stated Postal Service-USPS

Another top dog in the international shipping industry is the United States Postal service. This corporation, much like the rest of the companies in this list, started on humble beginnings and grew to the multi-billion company we see today. The company was founded back in 1775 which was during the Second Continental Congress. This was actually when Benjamin Franklin was appointed the postmaster general. Later, the post office department was first created by Benjamin Franklin himself in 1792. The company is one of the few companies authorized by the United States constitution.

Currently, the company employs roughly about 600,000 employees while at the same time operating around 200,000 delivery vehicles. The courier offers shipping to over 180 countries outside the United States. In fact, it’s the only company that doesn’t offer any extra costs in the shipping prices. This makes it the cheapest means of international packages.

Advantages of using USPS

• It is the cheapest option especially for small packages
• The USPS is becoming more reliable than in the past
• USPS can easily deliver to mailboxes and PO Boxes.

Disadvantages of using USPS

• They have a questionable customer service.
• The tracking system in this company isn’t that great

• ARAMEX Shipping Services

This is also another international shipping company that’s currently based in Dubai. The company was started about 37 years ago by Jordanian Bill Kingson and Fadi Ghandour in the year 1982.

The Aramex shipping company is actually the first Arab company to be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. The company began its operations in Amman, Jordan and is now one of the multi-billion dollar enterprises in Dubai. On top of that, Aramex launched an app that allows you to track your delivery from all around the world. You also have the chance to monitor your account and manage your addresses or delivery details.

Aramex delivers goods to over 180 countries all over the world making them among the best international shipping franchises. Through their growth, this company has been able to ensure that both businesses and customers benefit from their services.

Advantages of using Aramex shipping company

• The company has a strong Asia-Pacific presence even though you are able to deliver to other countries.
• Aramex has an application that’s accessible to all users. The application makes it easy to track your goods and also manage your account.
• The company has the capacity to store even dangerous packages in a Dubai-south free zone. The warehouse is temperature controlled with the best security in the business. The main objective of this type of storage is safely store dangerous chemicals while at the same time cater for market requirements.
• Aramex can help you avoid taxes if you are planning to ship to the Middle East.

Disadvantages of using Aramex shipping company

• Aramex is more suitable for small packages.

• Australia Post

Among the top list of cheapest international shipping companies is the Australia Post services company. Like the name suggests, the company was started in Australia and later grew to international levels. The headquarters is at Melbourne which at the same time also serves as a postal office.

The Australia Post is a government owned corporation and was founded in 1809. As of this writing of this article, the current CEO of the company is Christine Holgate. The company continues to broaden its services and invest in infrastructure programs. The Postal service delivers express services and mail deliveries through their Messenger Post.

The company actually receives $0 tax funding from the government. That’s because they are a self-funded government business.

Advantages of using Australia Post

• The company is well established in over 200 Countries.

• It’s the best option if you want to send packages to Australia.

• The company offers complete logistics integration from the manufacturer to the customers.

• Australia Post also offers tracking system of your goods.

Disadvantages of using Australia Post

• The company is best for sending letters.

• TNT Express

This is an international shipping company that’s currently a subsidiary of FedEx. The headquarters of TNT is at Hoofddorp, Netherlands. Founded in 2011, the company has now grown and establish its operation in over 61 countries.

The company now offers transportation via road or air to Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Africa, Middle East, America and Africa. The company has also started rail trials but only in the UK to cut off carbon emissions and improve delivery system in the area.

In 2015, FedEx agreed to buy TNT express as the company decided to expand it’s wings over Europe. After thorough investigation, the deal was finalised in 2016 as the two companies merged.

Advantages of using TNT Express

• They offer express delivery services to suit everyone’s budget.
• TNT Express also offers full door to door shipment for both national and international deliveries.
• The company also offers an online tracking system.  
• Depending on the postcode, the company offers same day delivery.

Disadvantages of using TNT Express

• The company is unable to deliver PO boxes. Therefore, someone needs to be available on the other side of the delivery.

• DPD Shipping Company        `                             

It is as clear as day that you will never miss DPD on the list when you are looking for shipping companies. Over the years, DPD has become the go-to company when it comes to package shipping. It has proven to be the most affordable option for both international and UK customers.

In that case, if you need either classic or express courier services, then DPD is always at your disposal. The courier is based in UK hence deliveries that are done in UK are the most extensive ones. Most of the domestic parcels are affordable and time sensitive. Meaning that deliveries done within the borders of UK could be done within 1 or 2 business days.

And as long as the parcel is less that 20lbs, you are guaranteed of the most affordable courier. Also, it provides you with international shipping opportunities within Europe where a package is sent within 3 or 5 working days. Packages outside Europe take 2 days more to arrive but not more than 7 days.

Advantages

• The services are available at a pocket friendly price
• The company has international delivery coverage
• The company can also ship to your home address
• You can also consider the DPD drop off stations in your location for lower fees

Disadvantages

• The company doesn’t ship batteries or liquids.

• Deutsche Shipping Company

The Deutsche is a shipping company that makes deliveries of mail and parcels in the boarders of Germany as well as the rest of the world. This company is best known for being an expert provider of dialogue marketing as well as press distribution. In other cases, Deutsche can also be used for corporate communication distribution.

The company is an American founded enterprise that has grown to international levels. On top of that, the company delivers 1.3 billion parcels yearly all across the world. In 2002, the company was able to absorb DHL hence using their influence to expand the entire enterprise. Today, all DHL brands currently share their influence with Deutsche Post business  

Advantages of using Deutsche Post Business

• The company offers reasonable prices for shipment
• It ensures you have full door to door delivery
• With the integration of Deutsche and DHL, you can now easily access their offices.
• The company has less idle times in ship operations

Disadvantages of using Deutsche Post Business

• It’s only operational in a number of countries.

• Amazon Delivery

Quickly rising to the list of one of the best and yet cheapest international shipping companies is the Amazon delivery. This company is solely based on the largest online Ecommerce business, Amazon. Currently the Amazon delivery system has spread its wings to a number of countries across the globe.

What’s more, one day delivery is offered to Amazon prime members only if your order is eligible for one day delivery. All in all, you will still be able to get your product at the end of the day. Orders that are generally fulfilled by Amazon.co.uk come with a tracking system. Therefore, you can easily keep track of your goods.

There are different pickup stations that you can consider when you want to get your goods. On top of that, Amazon also offers free deliveries to certain regions for instance in the UK.

Advantages of using Amazon Delivery

• With this delivery system, you will have access to a whole store of goods.
• It’s well established in most continents around the globe.
• The company offers free delivery to certain areas
• Additionally, the company offers one day delivery to Amazon prime members but it will cost you extra if you are not a prime member.

Disadvantages of using Amazon Delivery

• Amazon delivery is completely based in courier services. That means the online store and the Amazon delivery system are completely two different entities.

• China Post

Last but not least, China Post happens to be a state owned enterprise whose main aim is to deliver worldwide. The company was founded in 1997 by Robert Hart and has its headquarters in Beijing, China.  

The company currently shares its offices with a government body hence the speculation that this delivery services is somehow controlled by the Chinese government. All in all, the company is a good option especially if you are planning to send or receive any packages in or around China.

However, the presence of China Post is a bit weak in Hong Kong and Macau since they have their own postal independence services.

Advantages of Using China Post

• It’s affordable.
• The company has a very strong presence in China hence making it the best and cheapest international shipping company in the region.
• It has a very efficient tracking system.

Disadvantages of using China Post

• They won’t reply to any email inquiries.