Transport service: Smarter international shipping with ParcelParcel
Does international shipping sometimes feel like guesswork? Many companies still spend hours comparing options and figuring out customs rules manually, without realising it can be faster and smarter.
For SMEs that want to ship or import outside the EU, ParcelParcel is the transport service and shipping aggregator that simplifies the whole process. We compare top carriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet, handle complex customs procedures and paperwork, and give you full control over every shipment.
In this guide, you’ll discover how a modern transport service works, how transport service delivery with ParcelParcel helps you save time and money, and how to start shipping smarter today.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
What is a modern transport service?
A modern transport service is more than just booking a courier. It’s a complete solution that:
Compares multiple carriers and transit times in one overview
Shows total costs (including surcharges and, where possible, customs-related fees)
Helps you prepare customs documents for shipping outside the EU
Gives you track & trace and proactive support during your shipment
Instead of contacting each carrier separately, a transport service aggregator like ParcelParcel brings everything together in one easy platform. You still ship with premium carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet, but you manage everything in one place.
Why SMEs choose ParcelParcel as their transport service partner
If you’ve ever thought “International shipping is just too complicated”, you’re not alone. A lot of businesses are problem-aware: they know there is an issue, but not the best solution. ParcelParcel makes your transport service delivery simple, transparent and predictable.
Key benefits:
Save time – No more calling or emailing multiple carriers. Instantly compare options and book.
Sharp rates – Access competitive prices for parcels, pallets, documents and urgent shipments.
Outside-EU expertise – We specialise in international transport service for shipments going outside the European Union.
Customs made simple – We help you with commercial invoices, HS codes and other customs paperwork so your shipment moves smoothly.
One point of contact – Personal support from our logistics experts when you need it most.
No contracts, no subscriptions – Only pay for the transport service you actually use.
Booking an international transport service with ParcelParcel only takes a few steps:
Step 1 – Compare transport service options in seconds
You start by entering your shipment details:
From and to (including country outside the EU)
Dimensions and weight
Content and value
Our online tool instantly shows you multiple carriers and services side by side. You can compare transport service delivery prices in our shipping calculator and choose the best balance between speed and cost.
Once you pick your preferred transport service, you can schedule a pickup or drop-off. At the same time, you’ll be guided through the customs information we need, such as:
Description of goods
HS codes
Country of origin
Incoterms and value
To help you stay compliant, you can check our international shipping service and customs information per country:
With ParcelParcel, you don’t have to figure out customs by yourself. We bring clarity, speed and control to the process—so you can focus on your business.
Step 3 – Follow your transport service delivery online
After collection, you can track your shipment from door to door. For many services, you’ll receive:
When does it make sense to outsource your transport service?
Our customers typically choose ParcelParcel when:
They ship regularly outside the EU but don’t want their own contracts with every carrier.
They need one partner who understands customs, paperwork and international regulations.
They want to improve delivery reliability without growing an in-house logistics team.
They are product-aware and comparing options, but want a solution that is flexible and easy to start with.
If you’re ready to move from manual comparisons and uncertainty to a smarter transport service delivery setup, ParcelParcel is designed for you.
Ready to ship smarter? Start with ParcelParcel today
Most aware and ready to take action? Then this is your moment. With ParcelParcel you get:
Fast access to multiple international transport services
Competitive prices without contracts or subscriptions
Personal, expert support for customs and complex shipments
Ready to book your next transport service? Start today with ParcelParcel, no obligations, but support whenever you need it.
By choosing ParcelParcel as your trusted transport service partner, you make international shipping outside the EU faster, clearer and more cost-effective—without adding complexity to your business.
Verzendkosten berekenen
Vul de gegevens in van je zending hieronder en bereken direct de verzendkosten van bekende vervoerders zoals FedEx, DHL, TNT, DPD, DSV en Skynet 👇
What questions did other senders have?
A transport service is a solution that organises the movement of your goods from A to B, often across borders. Instead of dealing with every carrier separately, a transport service provider like ParcelParcel compares options for you, manages the booking, and helps with customs and paperwork. You still benefit from premium carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet, but everything is centralised in one platform.
Did this answer help?
When you book directly with a single carrier, you only see their services and prices. With ParcelParcel’s transport service delivery, you can:
Compare multiple carriers in one overview
Choose the best option for each shipment (not just one carrier)
Get help with customs and documentation for outside-EU shipments
Use a single, user-friendly platform instead of several portals
In short: ParcelParcel gives you more choice, more control and often better total value.
Did this answer help?
Yes, that’s exactly where we shine. Our international shipping service focuses on parcels, pallets and documents going outside the European Union. We guide you through:
When you book transport service delivery with ParcelParcel, we guide you through all the necessary information:
Creating a correct commercial invoice
Adding HS codes and product descriptions
Stating the right value and Incoterms
You stay in control of your shipment, while we help you avoid common customs mistakes. If you need more guidance, our knowledge base and country-specific customs pages provide extra details, and our support team is always ready to help.
Did this answer help?
You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the button to play the video and the icon to view the video in fullscreen.
Did this answer help?
Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
Did this answer help?
You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
Did this answer help?
Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
Did this answer help?
A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required? A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself? If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
Did this answer help?
You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
Did this answer help?
You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
Did this answer help?
Yes, we act as a logistics intermediary, enabling us to obtain high discounted rates from the carriers. We pass these savings on to you, allowing you to ship worldwide at a cost-effective price.
In short, you benefit from our shipping rates. In nearly all cases, you will save much more by using ParcelParcel for shipping than going directly through the carrier.
For example, let's say you want to send a shipment to the United States and contact the carriers (e.g., FedEx, DHL, or TNT) directly for shipping rates. Based on the volume of your shipments, you may receive a certain discount on the shipping rate (volume discount). If you are sending only one shipment, the discount rate would be limited.
As ParcelParcel, we are a major customer of the carriers, sending thousands of shipments as an intermediary. By choosing ParcelParcel, you can save up to 70% on your shipping costs as you benefit from our discounted rates. Quite straightforward, isn't it?
Did this answer help you?
You can insure your package for 1.0% of the total value with minimum administrative costs of €19.50.
For example, if the contents of your shipment are valued at €700, the insurance administrative costs would be €19.50. So, 1% of €700 is €7, but the minimum administrative costs for insurance are €19.50.
Therefore, we charge €19.50 administrative costs for insurance. You can use our rate calculator to indicate if you want to opt for insurance.
You insure your shipment against damage, theft, and loss. We also recommend reading this article about the 5 essential points to consider when choosing insurance.
Did this answer help you?
If you submit the package before 13:30, it can often be picked up on the same working day. If it's after 13:30, you can always call to inquire if a pickup is still possible today. Unfortunately, your shipment cannot be picked up during the weekend.
Did this answer help you?
You can pay with all popular payment methods such as iDeal, PayPal, Bancontact, credit card, Apple Pay, KBC/CBC Payment Button, Belfius Direct, and SOFORT Banking through
Did this answer help you?
Yes, this is possible and is called third country shipments. A third country shipment is an international shipment where the package originates from a country that is not the country of dispatch or receipt. In other words, shipments from and to all countries in the world. This is also known as third-country transport. You can send shipments that go beyond the Netherlands. For example:
A domestic shipment in the United States
A package from France to Switzerland
A shipment from Germany to China
Do you want to send a gift to family or friends? Distribute products worldwide? Import, export; in other words, engage in trade between non-adjacent countries? You can easily and quickly arrange this with ParcelParcel. Register today for a free MyParcelParcel account or calculate shipping costs via our rate calculator.
Did this answer help?
Use a suitable box To send your package safely, it's important to choose a box that fits the dimensions of your package's contents. Keep in mind that smaller packaging can be relatively cheaper.
Take pictures of the inside and outside packaging (insured shipments) To be able to prove that your package is properly packed in case of damage or loss, we recommend taking pictures during the packing process. Take pictures of at least the inside and outside packaging, showing the product you want to send. This tip only applies if you choose to insure your package.
Fill all empty spaces Fill the package with, for example, bubble wrap, packing paper, or old newspapers. Make sure the contents of the package cannot shift during transport. This prevents damage to your package.
Seal the package properly Seal the package with strong tape. We recommend using packaging tape, but duct tape can also be used. Make sure the box is properly sealed so it cannot open during transport.
Label the package correctly Make sure the delivery address is clearly visible and complete. Preferably, put a label with the delivery address on different sides of the package. This ensures the address is always visible, even if the package is placed upside down during transport.
Remove old labels or stickers If you are reusing a box, make sure to remove any old labels or stickers. This prevents confusion about the destination of your package.
Choose the right shipping method Choose a shipping method that matches the fragility of your package's contents. For example, choose extra secure packaging if you're sending fragile items.
Choose additional insurance if needed If the contents of your package are valuable, you can choose additional insurance for extra peace of mind. Keep in mind that insured shipments require photos of the inside and outside packaging as proof of proper packing.