Packing an unconventional thing like a bicycle can be a pain in the neck. Especially, when you plan to send it by courier service to India.  The bicycle itself is lighter in actual weight and higher on the volume side necessitates a packing of fitting manner.  At shipping to India we throw light on eight sparkling packing points, that will help you dismantle and pack a bicycle aptly for your courier service to India.

Eight Points to Pack a Bicycle to send via Courier Service To India

• To start off, find a suitable and sturdy box, and then your job is to get rid of the handlebars.

• After achieving this, take the control of the fork and stem of the bicycle in order to make them face backwards.

• Then, move the chain of the bicycle on to the little chain ring, and biggest back cog before making an attempt to remove the pedals.

• Now get rid of the pedal of right counter-clockwise, and then move to the left to loosen it clockwise, to unravel.

• Once you have the pedals removed. Then, detach and separate the seat and seat post as a piece. After this, make sure to re-tighten the seat post bolt, so the seat remains attached and does not drop off.

• Now its turn to tighten the wrapped handlebar and other loose pieces to the bicycle frame with plastic ties and tapes.

• Remove Racks, light of the bicycle, holder of drinks bottle and Mudguards.

• Package all the parts separately and securely for a smooth transition of the bicycle by courier service to India.

Bonus Points:

With the conclusion of eight points, we also recommend you the following.

• Get rid of all old labels and cover or any bar-code (In case you may be using a used box)
• Make sure you use a precise address label; one label with sender and receiver information.
• You can put a copy of address label within the package.

For sending a bicycle by means of courier service to India; these were the bicycle packing guidance. If you have other unconventional shape or size to pack feel free to contact our team of experts on 02035983450

Selecting the nature of packing for cargo to India  can be a tricky task at times. While appropriate packing plays a vital part in transit of cargo for the transporters, it also safeguards the goods during its journey. In this piece we’ll take a tour of top 3 packing material types for your different category cargo to India.

Here are the types of Packing Materials for Cargo to India: Which is used to put up a broad variety of goods safe and secure

1. Shrink Wrap

Shrink wrap can be used as primary and secondary packaging material. You can simply shrink wrap your base product. For instance, shrink wrap covering a photo frame or bundle of books. Likewise, it also can be put to use wrapping a complete pallet of packets to cling the packets together and enable them to handle easier.

Shrink wrap has a more crucial role to play than just keeping packages collective. Not only it impact resistance, but also provides puncture and abrasion. Since we are aware that the shrink wrap is a product of plastic, it’s a cheaper and more recyclable product than corrugated boxes. Shrink wrap impart the same protection when it is used as single product packaging, also enhance the content’s optical appeal.

2. Crates and Pallets

It doesn’t matter what sort of goods you’re aiming to cargo to India.  Crates and Pallets are a weighty part of the shipping and the process of packaging. They perform a role of secondary  support and maintain the actual items secure until they are delivered. Pallets maintain distance between the package and the surface  where they’re placed on–whether it is the base of delivery truck or it is the ground.

3. Shock Mount Packaging

For goods that are enormously delicate, and shock mount packaging sort is one of the reliable choice. The packaging includes in-build shock absorption. This mechanism protects the contents from shock and tremors, as well as humidity, moisture, and dust. The heavy duty kind of packaging is naturally suited for goods such as fragile electronic equipments.

These were the top 3 packaging material types for Your Different Category Cargo to India. Other than this, there are a lot of several methods to package and ship your goods. Evaluate the requirement of your commodity, and select upon these preferences that will work best for you. And keep your belonging safe during cargo to India.

Tags: Cargo to India, shipping, packaging material, packing

Excess baggage to India is the most common craze for frequent travelers and repatriates. For it possesses the flexibility to send goods of various sorts and sizes. It also owns the power over the rates, and often proves a low cost venture.

When you compare the cost of your flight; it is habitual that the rates will be on the higher end for sending excess baggage to India from UK. Therefore, the way out that appears to be a cheaper travelling choice ends up costing you a great deal than originally anticipated.

Generally, many flyers fail to recognize that excess baggage can be shipped separately, at a better price. The one who seek for this option, often find themselves enveloped in the dilemmas of the processes and documents.

Excess Baggage to India–How it Work

At first glance it looks a bit of a baffling exercise; involving many paperwork, formalities, and the most important of all handling the destination customs. In a real sense, the process is reasonably simple. One has to take the process forward step-by-step.

• First and foremost, on the completion of packing you require to book excess baggage via us (Shipping to India). Thereafter, we shall undertake your cargo booking with the airlines. Then wrap up the UK customs Entry in NES (National Export System) of HMRC. Now the booked excess baggage is ready for the departure from the UK.

• On the arrival of excess baggage in the destination. The goods will be ready for clearance only after a certain period (presumably after 10-12 hours post arrival.)

• Then the consignee (receiver) can clear the goods from the airport him/herself, or  can appoint a CHA (Customs Housing Agent) for clearance the personal excess baggage on his/her behalf. Before they proceed with your request, a set of documents you require and keep handy for them. Some of these documents are provided by us i.e. HAWB (house airway bill), and some are the your personal documents; demonstrating that you’ve travelled from the UK to India.

• Or if you want to complete the customs clearance process by yourself. Then simply, you have to collect a DO (Delivery Order Note) from the airline’s handling agent, or a Master Airway Bill (MAWB) from the airlines. Then, with these documents at hand along with your travel documents (passport, tickets, etc.) you head toward the cargo complex area of the airport for the customs clearance.

Excess baggage to India customs clearance has its nominal fee taken by the regulatory apart from duties and taxes imposed (if any), if you do it on your own. But involving a CHA might cost a bit extra. One thing is for sure that the costing will be on the lower side, even after paying a nominal fee, as compared to flight.

Sending Restricted and Prohibited items to India is a common subject of concern for the shippers while planning a delivery to India from UK.  With many goods are restricted by the regulation of India, it is essential for the patrons be well-informed about the Prohibited and Restricted items, while packing.

The expression “Prohibited Goods” has been classified in sub-section 33 of Section 2 of the Customs Act as connotation “any goods the import or export of which is subject to any prohibition under the Customs Act or any other rule for the time being in force”.

In this post we shall throw some light on the Restricted and Prohibited items to India.

Prohibited Items:

• Obscene/Pornographic Materials.
• Psychotropic Substances , Narcotic drug.
• Wildlife items including: the products, or parts of wild animals, any sort of wild animal, human remains–skeleton, particular sea-shells, tallow, beef, oil/fats of animal origin, particular live animals and birds.
• Literature and Maps, in which Indian external boundaries have mentioned incorrectly, in the vision of the Government of India.
• Pirated/fake items and items overstep any of the legally enforceable intellectual assets rights.
• Items those are operated on high radio bandwidths, for it, it is likely to hinder the transmission network systems of security agency.
• As per the Antique and Art Treasure Act, 1972 of India, Indian coins are prohibited.

Restricted Items:

• Seed bearing plants.
• Animals including pets, live birds.
• Drug and Medicine.
• Negotiable instruments in bearer form–including but not restricted to bank bills, coins, activated cash/credit dispense cards, blank cheques, travellers cheques, lottery tickets, pre-paid phone cards, vouchers/tokens and stamps that are not used.
• Firearm parts/Complete firearms– also its sub-parts like rifle butts, screws/bolts, trigger mechanisms etc which is produced for the only reason of creating of efficient firearm), explosive, ammunition and weapons.
• Cocoons, silk worm, and silk worn seeds.
• Family planning devices (However, it may be shipped after obtaining NOC from the Ministry of Health).
• Partially processed hides.
• Soil and sand.
• Imitation of antiques, weapon, and vintage products.
• Sandalwood (apart from handicraft merchandise, and oil).
• Entire human blood plasma, particular products derived from human blood.
• Precious and semi precious items such gold, silver, diamonds, etc.

Sending Restricted and Prohibited items to India, or any other country can be a serious worry. For it, involves fitting knowledge of commodity for the shipper to relevant countries. Nevertheless, you can find the appropriate details on the Indian custom website for the prohibited commodity you want to transport to India.

Dangerous Goods–commonly termed as Hazardous goods; remain a topic of curiosity for the novice patrons–especially the one who is planning to send general cargo to India from UK for the first time.

Hazardous Materials (or Dangerous Goods) are the things that are likely to harm property, people and the surroundings while being in transit; the reason it reacts with the atmosphere. As these substance swift to respond with the atmosphere when in contact, even with subtle change in the  temperature, and they are expected to set fire and chaos on board.

For instance, a machine such as a car engine with motor oil possibly can dent the safety while in transportation. However, several common domestic items are also categories as ‘Dangerous Goods’ when being transferred.

Apparently harmless day-to-day consumer goods can be regulated under the transportation laws, since they are a compound of ingredients which are restricted, and likely to spoil the environment on board.

For Example:

• Many are unaware, that a simple item such as perfumes, nail paint remover, paint, hand sanitizer and shoe polish, etc. can all be inflammable?
• Or Jars that help you formulate soda products boasts compressed non-flammable gas, that loiter the risk of busting at any point in transit.
• Likewise, when one take sense of a vital support of the 21st century–cellular phones, they are also manifest below the dangerous goods, for them, they are powered by lithium batteries. In the similar way  lithium battery enabled electronic gadgets fall in the same group. (Yes, both liquid batteries and lithium batteries).

Everybody buys or uses items categorized as a dangerous goods usually without troubling our conscious.

In our daily lives these products are ideal for normal usage, but when arranging them for a delivery to the other end of the world,  it is crucial that they are shipped securely. For it to haul without any untoward incident on board and at other travelling junctions.

Is one allowed to ship Dangerous goods globally?

Yes, a lot of goods regarded as  hazardous materials can be shipped globally, though, these commodities require a particular sort of packaging, proper classification/labeling and certificates indicate all diligent individuals that make up the global transportation work and are attentive of probable hazard while in transit.

Therefore, it is imperative for the shipper to be well aware of the commodity he/she is planning to send. And produce competent documents, packing and certificates accordingly, for the smooth transition of goods.

Fuel surcharge is involved in almost every method of transportation on top of the base rate; be it air, road or sea.

In the olden days of Logistics industry, the fuel surcharge to the freight tariff card was an odd component, as then the trade was only rolled on a single pricing on goods that were shipped across the borders. But with the time, the pricing structure has seen many erratic phases along with the evolving demands of the industry and varying crude price.

The Fuel Surcharge saw its dawn in the industry with the introduction of weight-based charging system. And with the skyrocketing fuel charges in the international crude oil market, transporters plonked ways out to get back these additional expenditures.

What they did was, they put in a sliding charge to the basic price that customized to budge in the market, but at the same time that was not flexible. As a result, negotiations were only applicable to the base charges, and leaving the fuel surcharges a non-negotiable component.

Further, itemization of the price of fuel, lend a hand to the carriers in moderately steadying their base rates, for the base rates generally sees its amendments just the once in a year.

Relying  on the international oil market, fuel surcharge tend to change with the slightest of fluctuations in the market prior any notice, perhaps in a month’s time, hence it is something for patrons to make a note of while planning their delivery– both international and domestic.

Based in Atlanta BirdDog Solutions is a shipping consultant, and according to their robust data base, surcharges jumped down brusquely in the last year, as their system experienced a low fuel prices workings over the stretch of the pervious twelve months.

Fuel surcharge have been dropping in the present scenario–thanks to the fall in prices of crude oil, but this dip is wobbly. It is vital to gather the information on the prices prior booking of cargo.

Many articles are conveyed to India every day from the UK by various means chosen by patrons; more often than not, under unaccompanied excess baggage, courier delivery, or in the form of general cargo.

Unlike other regular commodities, sending electronics to India often seems a complicated venture, for its duties, taxes, and the varied procedures and documents it requires. And, a pain in the neck while claiming VAT on the electronic goods purchased in the UK for tourists.

Transfer of Residency Duties Exemption on Electronic goods
India, a country with no minimum threshold when it comes to duties and taxes; hence they are inevitable mainly on the electronic goods. However, under unaccompanied excess baggage category, these unavoidable expenses can be exempted to a certain extend by Transfer of Residency claim from the UK to India. For it, NRIs has a liberty to claim a dutiable electronic item of a kind as duty free.

For instance, a passenger returning to India after its stay in the UK for more than 2 years without staying in India not more than 6 months and carrying two laptops in excess baggage can avail first laptop as duty free, and for the second he has to pay the duties as per the relegations.

Claiming VAT in the UK on Electronics
In origin (United Kingdom), a common dilemma raises its head to travelers when they look to claim VAT on electronic goods purchased in the United Kingdom while leaving the country.

Usually, there is a customary wave among the tourists and passengers returning to India that VAT is claimable on electronic goods (or any merchandise brought in the UK) using the services like Unaccompanied baggage, Courier or Cargo mode.

But the matter of fact is that the VAT is only retrieved by means of ‘Merchandise in Baggage’ (MIB). It’s a simple process where passengers need to complete an electronic export declaration, or exceptionally a document C88/ESS.
Simply you need to take a print of this or the EAD (Export Accompanying Document), also have the EAD stamped as evidence of export; consequently, you can zero-amount the goods for VAT.

As this formality is only completed when you’re checking in for travelling at the Airport, so be prepared with documents for formalities with the officer, and also leave sufficient hours to yourself for completion of the process.

Commonly identified as Air Freight and also known as Air Cargo, or Airport to Airport service is one of the most secure and swift method of conveying your goods to your desired destination from the UK.

We at Shipping To India tender Air Freight to more than 220 countries and territories across the globe with the assurance of the best price in the UK market.

Airport to Airport service–How we charge

Be it normal cargo or business shipment, we decide the payable weight on two chief aspects of packed product or box; it is the upper side, we consider, either actual weight, attain by weighing on a scale or volume weight which is achieved by dimensions with application of an easy formula as denoted by IATA.

When we give you a price for a particular destination and goods, more often than not, we quote a complete rate in per-kg layout with an additional handling and customs clearing fee in the UK. But, for some distinctive consignments cost might differ.

However, the per-kg air cargo rate is a compound of various components in which prices can fluctuate without any aforementioned notice.

But, the components remain steady on most of the occasions. Yet, in some exceptional cases it may vary a touch; particularly in the war zone nations, or for special products such as hazardous or dangerous.

The per-kg rate format comprises freight charge, fuel charge, and war risk charge. As per the industry standards Shipping To India gathers these components to achieve an air freight rate.

Though the rates may crop up a discrepancy time to time, and this random inconsistency in charges is an upshot of volatility of the international market value of crude oil.

On the other hand, our supplementary handling fee is split into rates for screening and scanning of items, and the UK customs clearance fee is sub-divided into a House Air Way bill (HAWB) fee, Custom’s NES entry fee for export and other trivial document charges.

It is our earnest endeavor to simplify Air cargo rates for our valued clients as per the regulation of International Air freight pricing guidelines at Shipping To India.

Packing is one of the most vital aspects when it comes to the safety of any commodity in the midst of transition.

As the consignment (box) has to stand a lot of fixed procedures ranging from screening and scanning for the customs, to loading and unloading at several junctions while routing  toward the allocated destination.

Hence, a planned packing will always ensure a high rate of secure deliveries.

Here are some useful Packing Advice we like to share with you on–How to get a shipment ready.

• Usually boxes are the most common used and appropriate way of packing as they come in a variety of sizes, shapes, materials and accessories to toughen and protect them.
• For heavier items wood containers are suitable as they are prepared for machine handling.
• One of cheaper substitute to wood boxes is heavy-duty double layered cardboard boxes.
• Make certain that you use unbending boxes with intact flaps.
• Avoid packing articles in used boxes.
• If boxes carrying any labels other than the destination address please remove.
• Make sure that ample cushioning material is used.
• For over-wrapping boxes do not use string or paper.
• While packing bubble wrap each piece separately.
• Make sure you print single address on label which has a clear and complete delivery address and contact details.
• Fill boxes up to their thresholds as under-filled boxes possibly will collapse.
• A box can split open if it is filled to capacity.
• Make sure that all sides are cushioned well for fragile items.

These are some general instructions to keep in mind while packing. However, there are items that come in unconventional shapes and sizes such as statues, heavy machinery, antiques, medical equipments, car engines, piano etc. that needs an expert attention.

You can hire professional packers to get the job done as per your requirement. They may cost you a bit, but will ensure the safe transit of your belongings.

These days air cargo is one of the most eminent ways of sending goods and articles across the globe for quite a lot of reasons. In the same way, a door to door packet delivery (also known as parcel delivery or courier delivery) clings onto its significance in the Logistic industry for several affirmatives.

While many shipments are handled by the airlines and delivery-service companies every day, there are a number of questions that puzzles many. Specially, the first timers who send their belongings by means of air cargo and courier mode.

Below we cover some frequent questions asked to help for sending cargo to India, and to understand the process better in easy way.

Some points to Help for sending cargo to India:

– What is volume weight?
– How volume is calculated?
– What is chargeable weight?
– What are prohibited goods?
– What is customs clearance?

What is Volume Weight? 

In common terminology volume weight is a space of a packet occupied in a carrier. It is obtained by applying a simple math formula that we shall discuss in a while.

How Volume is Calculated?

Volume weight is totally based on the dimensions of the package or commodity. The formula diverges a bit for various methods of shipping. However, in case of Air Cargo it is calculated by multiplying the length, width, height and dividing by 6000 (L x W x H/6000), whereas, the formula for Door to door service is multiplying the length, width, height and dividing by 5000 (L x W x H/5000).

(Important Note: the dimension has to be in centimeters (CM))

What is Chargeable Weight?

In International freight industry the carriers charge either on the volume weight (the dimensional weight) or the actual dead weight (the weight as per weighing scale) whichever is higher.

What are Prohibited Goods?

In general air cargo and courier mode there are certain restrictions that forbid carrying a lot of items, for instance, currency, perfumes, bearer instrument, liquid or lithium batteries, semi-liquids, radio-active material, etc.

What is Customs Clearance?

The process of passing the goods through customs authorities so that they can enter or exit the country is known as customs clearance. This process demands specific formality to be completed for each shipment that depart and arrive in the country.

We have discussed some general but vital topics that will be of  good help for sending cargo to India and abroad. You can always call us or leave an online enquiry to speak about your doubts in detail.