How to avoid any shipping horrors for Halloween 2018

At Halloween, the number of packages being shipped in the USA skyrockets as people look to get ready for October 31st. Alongside domestic shipping, we also see the number of packages being sent internationally creep up too.

Shipping isn’t scary if you follow all of our labelling and packaging guidelines and the delivery prices won’t make you scream either, as by using our shipping calculator will help you find some of the best rates around! 

What items get sent at Halloween?

Halloween Costumes

Halloween 2018 looks set to be the year of Fortnite Halloween costumes. The multiplayer game has exploded and is inspiring all kinds of weird and wonderful Halloween costumes. Normally lightweight and small, Halloween costumes often get sold on eBay and can be shipped easily using most postal couriers. Any liquid items should not be shipped including fake blood and nail varnish.

Depending on how close to October 31st it is, you might need express shipping to post those final orders out to the buyer, so that they can get dressed up and enjoy the celebrations in style!

Halloween Decorations

Halloween inspired decorations can be found online using Pinterest, Instagram or Etsy and there are some amazing ideas out there. Whether you are going for the traditional pumpkin look or investing in a giant scary skeleton, there are plenty of original ideas to help you make Halloween 2018 scarier than ever!  

Most Halloween home decor can be put in a small box and shipped safely, but some items are bigger or heavier than others, so think about sending early and using Ground Shipping if you are selling bulky items online, or you are arranging your own shipping.

Halloween Treats

Candy is another item posted at this time of year ready for trick or treaters and Halloween parties, Americans spent $2.7 billion on Candy alone in 2017! 

Sending Halloween treats domestically in the USA is no problem as long as it is packaged correctly. We wouldn’t advise shipping chocolate as it can melt and any glass jars containing candy shouldn’t be sent. 

Shipping any type of food internationally can be tricky so it’s not worth the risk. If you are posting candy, it is most likely in a small Halloween shipping box, so why not choose a drop off service and save the hassle of waiting at home for a courier pick up? Drop off services are often cheaper too, so more cash can be splashed on candy!

6 top tips to avoid any Halloween shipping horrors.

Over the years we have seen some horror stories with badly packaged boxes. Old shipping labels left on reused boxes, items sent in a black sack or items that are far too big stuffed into a small box are just some examples and it can cause major delivery problems.

Follow these 6 steps to make sure your package is safely shipped;

• Take the time to prepare your package. One of the biggest reasons for shipping being delayed or returned is insufficient packaging. Use a new sturdy box that is the correct size for the item and make sure nothing inside can move around in transit and follow our packaging guidelines carefully.

• Don’t send prohibited items. If you are after a real horror story, sending prohibited items is the way to go. Delays, expensive returns, damaged items. Just don’t bother trying to sneak through liquids, nail varnishes or batteries. It can be expensive to pay return charges.

• Shipping overseas? Careful with Customs. Parcel Monkey will provide you with the correct Customs Documents, but you will need to complete them accurately and honestly. Print them off and attach them on the outside of the package in a clear wallet or envelope.

• Provide a real contact number, not a phantom one. When you are shipping you should always provide a working local contact number for the recipient. This way Customs can contact them regarding any customs duty and the courier can call them if there is an issue with a delivery.

• Declare your dimensions correctly. Most packages are shipped with no horror, but failing to declare the correct weight and dimensions of your box can cause trouble. Our courier partners weigh and measure all boxes and if underdeclared, they can charge additional fees that will give you a nasty shock.

• We can’t deliver to an empty haunted house. Check and check again the delivery address to make sure it is accurate. Once in the courier network, it can be tricky to make address changes and incorrectly addressed items often end up being delivered late, or not at all.

Think about witch courier is best.

If you take all of the above into consideration posting a package won’t be a frightful experience. All you will need to do is choose a courier that suits you via our shipping calculator. If keeping cost low is the most important thing, get shipping early as slower ground services are great value for money.

Need something shipped fast? You can get overnight shipping, not on a broomstick, but by using reliable courier service. We want everyone to enjoy the Halloween Holidays and have fun, so when you post a package, remember our advice and avoid a Halloween horror!