We all agree that the holiday season is about spreading joy and showing love to those who matter most to us, no matter where they are in the world

Imagine carefully selecting an item from our curated list of 100 Unique Singapore Gifts For Overseas Friends & Family and then taking the time to send this perfect gift to your loved one overseas...only for it to arrive late or, worse, not at all. A pretty deflating scenario, right?

In this blog post, we'll delve deep into the five common mistakes people make when shipping holiday gifts internationally and provide solutions to avoid them.

Ready to learn the ins and outs of international gift shipping and make this holiday season a truly memorable one? Let's jump in!

Mistake 1: Last-Minute Shipping

Rushing around, doing your holiday shopping just days before the occasion. Sound familiar?

Now consider this: The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, not least for postal services and courier companies.

Waiting until the last minute to send gifts overseas can lead to a domino effect of problems.

The influx of shipments during the peak holiday season could mean your carefully chosen gifts may not arrive in time for the celebrations.

Last-minute shipping can also mean higher shipping costs and a whole lot of unnecessary stress.

So, what's the solution?

It's simple. Start your shopping and shipping preparations early. Familiarise yourself with your courier's specific deadlines for holiday shipping.

This way, you can avoid stress, save some money, and ensure your gifts bring holiday cheer, not headaches.

Mistake 2: Not Checking Country-Specific Shipping Restrictions

Picture this: Your gift gets stuck at customs because it's a prohibited item in the destination country. That's not the holiday surprise you had in mind, is it?

Every country has its own set of customs and import rules.

Not understanding these can lead to your gift being held at customs or even returned to you. This can be both disappointing and costly.

Before you send your gift, understand the customs and import regulations of the destination country. If you are considering sending food items, be sure to check out our post on Everything You Need to Know About Shipping Food Overseas to understand the intricacies involved.

Avoid sending items that are prohibited or restricted. Accurate and complete information on your shipping documents will speed up the customs process.

Mistake 3: Failing to Verify Address Details

Here's something that happens more often than you might think: You're so focused on picking the perfect gift that you overlook a crucial detail - verifying the shipping address.

This mistake could have frustrating consequences: Your package could end up at the wrong location, get returned, or even lost.

And trust me, reshipping the package could lead to unwanted costs and delays, turning your pleasant surprise into a stressful situation.

Take the time to double-check the recipient's address. Ensure all the details - street name, apartment number, city, state, zip code, and country - are correct and updated.

Also, including the recipient's contact number can be helpful in case the courier needs to reach them.

Now you may be wondering how to keep your gift a surprise if customs need to contact the recipient.

Here's the deal: You can replace the recipient's contact information with your own. But be warned, this could slow down the customs process, and if the package is undeliverable, it might be returned to Singapore at your expense.

Mistake 4: Improper Packaging

Proper packaging is crucial when sending gifts overseas.

Your package will be handled multiple times and may be subjected to rough handling during transit.

Improper packaging can lead to damaged gifts, which is a disappointment for both you and the recipient.

So, how to avoid that?

One option is to rely on JustShip's professional packing services. We take the hassle out of packaging, ensuring your items are packaged securely and prepared for their international journey.

However, if you're doing it yourself, here are a few tips:

• Use sturdy, double-wall boxes that can withstand the journey.
• Wrap items individually to protect them from each other.
• Use bubble wrap for fragile items and fill any empty space in the box with packing peanuts or crumpled newspaper.
• Make sure the package is sealed securely with strong tape.

Mistake 5: Not Opting for Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)

Imagine your recipient gets their gift, only to find out they have to pay additional customs fees. No one wants that!

This is where Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) comes in.

DDP is a delivery agreement where the sender assumes all the risks and costs associated with transporting goods until the recipient receives them. This includes paying for shipping costs, export and import duties, insurance, and other expenses.

With DDP, all necessary import taxes and duties are paid upfront by you, not your recipient. That means they won't face any unexpected costs on delivery.

This is made easier with Justship's rate calculator, a tool designed to give you a clear estimate of all the costs involved, including shipping charges, import duties, and any additional fees.

Simply select “Pre-pay taxes” option and you will get a comprehensive estimate that includes potential additional charges

Conclusion

The joy of gifting is in seeing your loved ones unwrap their presents with a smile.

By avoiding these five common shipping mistakes, you can ensure that your gifts reach their destination safely, punctually, and without any unexpected hiccups.

If you have specific questions or need personalized assistance with your holiday shipping, don't hesitate to contact us.

Happy holidays and happy shipping!