Tips On Shipping Gifts Overseas (NAPSA)—Whether you’re sending a holiday gift to a friend abroad or merchandise for your business overseas, it could pay to follow a few tips. Experts say that international shipments often need specific paperwork to clear customs, and sometimes they require export licensing or special paperwork to meet governmental requirements. Sound complicated? There are ways to make it simpler. A good first step is to hit the Web. All necessary shipment forms can be downloaded from DHL’s Website www.dhl-usa.com. The site lets international shippers use a Webbased Trade Automation Service to take the guesswork out of estimating duties—allowing all costs to be knownprior to shipping. It can also help users know exactly what’s required to ship, including all of the import and export requirements, and the company even provides free packaging for international shipping. Its experts offer this additional advice to anyone shipping a package, whetherit’s headed abroad or staying in the U:S.: Provide an exact description of the shipment contents and quantities to ensure your delivery isn’t delayed at customs in the destination country. * Use shipping boxes that are new or in good shape and wrap materials individually in Bubble Wrap, or use Styrofoam inserts so they don’t touch each other. Fragile items can also be double boxed. Pack the item in a box. Seal the box using a goodquality shipping tape. Ensure that all seams and flaps are securely It’s important to have the right paperworkfor gifts being shipped abroad. taped. For additional reinforcement, apply extra strips of tape to the bottom and top of the box. *Computers and electronic equipment should be shipped in separate boxes. When possible, use the original packaging. If original packaging isn’t available, it’s a good idea to use the double-boxing method. Suitable packing material for computers and other fragile electronics includes Styrofoam inserts, molded polystyrene, chemical foam or packing peanuts. DHLserves 120,000 destina- tions in more than 225 countries and territories around the world, and customerscan benefit from its knowledge of local procedures in each country. Additionally, the company provides quick door-todoor delivery. For more information, visit www.dhl-usa.com or speak with one of the company’s shipping experts by calling 1-800-CALLDHL.
