Tag Archives: europe

Brazil World Cup 2014 – More than just a tournament?

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The Football World Cup draw was held this time last week to decide who would be playing who in the group stages in Brazil next summer. The World Cup is a massive event that brings a vast amount of tourists together to celebrate football in the form of a tournament. Brazil is often seen as the home of attractive football and this is why next summer could be one of the greatest World Cups ever hosted. We take a look at how the country has developed and how football has played such a big role in inspiring the people of Brazil.

Brazil has always been a country full of culture and passion. The countries population generally consists of people with little wealth yet a truly incredible level of pride and inspiration. Football has played a big part in keeping young Brazilians inspired and passionate about their future, whilst it also brings the country together with famous Brazilian footballers regularly visiting their childhood favelas and districts to help motivate young children and poor families in the area.

With the World Cup being an international spectacle, the whole world will be watching Brazil next summer and this could work wonders in promoting awareness of the deprived areas in the country. If you are aware of a sporting organisation or individual in Brazil that may benefit from a gift being shipped internationally to the country, this is one of many ways that you can play a huge part in maintaining the footballing spirit that is present there.

With the World Cup edging closer, there is no doubt that the awareness of deprivation in Brazil will be noticed and we will hopefully see a wonderful World Cup hosted that promotes equality and inspiration for all.

If you want to send a parcel to Brazil for a family member or any other particular cause, why not have a look at some of the services that RAND Logistics have to offer? You can also contact us for further information regarding our services.

Christmas in Australia – How is it different?

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Whilst we shiver in our front rooms and keep close to the comforting portable fires whilst covered in blankets and sipping hot drinks, those native to Australia are enjoying the warmth of the sun at this moment in time. Since it’s currently summer in Australia, Christmas seems to have quite a different style over there. Sending a parcel to Australia might be on your plans this Christmas but there’s absolutely no need to give someone over there a scarf or woolly hat this year. Here are a few things to consider when sending a Christmas gift to Australia.

Australia is located in the southern hemisphere so the seasons are opposite to that of the northern hemisphere. Australia experiences some of its hottest weather in December which makes Christmas Day an experience unlike that of most other countries. Many tourists head down under to experience Christmas in this particular climate instead of the colder temperatures back home.

The blazing heat in some parts of Australia at this time of year means one thing. They’ll be hitting the beach to celebrate Christmas Eve in a rather unique fashion compared to the vast majority of other European countries. If you’d rather not make them laugh with a huge woolly coat as gift, why not get them some typical summery items such as sportswear, sunglasses or maybe even a smoothie maker?

If you want to send a Christmas gift to Australia or anywhere else in the world, check out RAND Logistics services and discover how we can ship your parcel across the globe.

Watch out for customs! – Prohibited items you might not expect this Christmas

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If you are preparing for a Christmas event abroad and need to send various Christmas gifts over to a designated country, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most traditional items during the festive period probably won’t make it there. In fact, sending a certain selection of traditional Christmas items abroad could see you having to deal with customs. Here’s a look at some of the festive items that could be intercepted on their way to your addressee this December.

The first and seemingly most obvious Christmas item that you wouldn’t be able to send to many countries is mistletoe. Mistletoe counts as a plant and therefore could potentially spread disease to plants native to the country you are shipping to. The majority of plants are prohibited for shipping due to the threat of disease, so make sure you check with your addressee before shipping live Christmas decorations such as mistletoe, holly or natural wreaths.

Christmas crackers are one of the key components for any Christmas dinner. However, shipping one across the border could also get you into trouble with customs. Don’t forget that Christmas crackers actually contain small forms of explosive that create the snapping sound when you pull them. Due to the fact that these “devices” could be used in other methods of explosives, they are generally prohibited across the world.

You can have a look at our international parcel delivery page to study the items that cannot be shipped abroad. For more information regarding the services on offer, contact RAND Logistics today.

Tips for Protecting Your eBay Parcel

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Christmas time has to be one of the busiest times for RAND and it’s usually due to the large amounts of gifts being sent across the world in time for the big day. In addition, eBay is seeing an incredible amount of people buying and selling their items as people look to find the perfect gift for their loved one. It’s important that you are aware of the basics when it comes to shipping parcels in order to protect the cherished item, so here’s a few tips for all you eBay sellers out there who plan on using RAND Logistics in the near future.

You should always box an item and this really should go without being mentioned. However, you should also fill out the box with protective layering in case the box is thrown about on its way to the addressee, so using bubble wrap to fill out the box is ideal. Try to make sure that the object is fully concealed in the box, however difficult it is to do so. You wouldn’t want to lose parts of the item in the shipping process.

If you’re searching around your home for the perfect box to fit your gift but simply can’t find one, there are a number of packaging techniques and items you can make the most of. From polystyrene and shredded newspaper through to bubble wrap and further empty boxes, there are all sorts of materials you can make the most of. The trick is to keep any spaces in the box covered.

RAND Logistics is a certified eBay courier and we strive to provide the best services for our eBay sellers so you don’t have to be concerned about items going missing in transit. So if you plan on shipping an item to your latest eBay buyer make sure you use the services RAND Logistics has to offer!

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 3

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Today we are focusing on the ideal Christmas gift for a partner or loved on.  Whether you’ve just married, have only recently started a relationship or are currently situated away from each other due to a new job or road trip Christmas is the perfect opportunity to state your appreciation for someone and symbolise your loving relationship. So if your loved one is currently based in Dubai on a work trip or journeying through the cold in Russia somewhere, RAND Logistics can transport your cherished Christmas gift for you.

Nothing represents a loving relationship better than a small piece of memorabilia or jewellery. The perfect ring can be loved and cherished for many years in the future, making it the ideal gift to symbolise a strong bond between two people. Other kinds of jewellery including ornaments, bracelets, necklaces, watches and earrings can work just as well especially if they match the style and taste of your loved one.

On the other hand, some people symbolise strong relationships by getting something they know their partner will adore. This could be anything from a rare, special-edition vinyl set by The Beatles to their favourite bar of chocolate from a unique sweet shop. Ultimately, this kind of gift comes down to how much you know the person and since it’s a close relationship, you are likely to be able to really make them happy with your Christmas gift if you take this path.

All in all, the spirit of Christmas is perfect for rekindling long-lost friendships from across the globe, sparking new relationships and building upon existing ones. If you have a special gift to send to anywhere in the world, RAND Logistics can offer you the ideal service.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 2

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Our next Christmas gift idea looks at teenagers and the vast amounts of gift ideas available for this age group. Teenagers are much like children in that a lot of their cherished items will be given to them at Christmas or for their birthdays. The spirit of Christmas is essential for every teenager as they grow up, so it’s important that they embrace the season and are given presents they will always remember. If you have a teenage cousin or nephew living in Australia, Poland or anywhere else in the world, here are a few great gift ideas that you can ship this Christmas using RAND Logistics.

Teenagers will have identified their preferred theme by now, be it sport, nature, arts and crafts, video games, music or technology. Many younger teenage boys will be really into their sport or their video games, making the latest video game or a new football or piece of memorabilia the ideal Christmas gift.

Teenage girls might be in to all sorts of gifts, so you can play it safe and get something inspirational such as a musical instrument or an artistic set. Both teenage boys and girls will have their preferences, so you might want to find out what it is they like. However, inspirational gifts can be really effective for teenagers to motivate them to get in touch with their passions and talents.

So, if you can’t wait to ship an acoustic guitar, a great new pair of shoes or a toy helicopter to a far-away teenage relative for Christmas this year, make the most of the services RAND Logistics have to offer and get in touch with us today for a wider description of our services.

A History of the Parcel: Day 4

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Our penultimate post surrounding the history of the parcel concentrates on significant changes that came around in the 1980’s and 90’s. Whilst these decades may seem particularly recent, there are still plenty of interesting facts to be known about how sending a parcel internationally changed in various ways. Here’s an overview of some of the major changes that happened throughout these particular decades with regards to the postal service.

The United States began using Electronic Computer Originated Mail (E-COM) in 1982. However, E-COM was only in use for a further three years after it was terminated completely by the USA in 1985. A year later, they introduced the ZIP + 4 in order to expand the coded system. In 1985, Jackie Strange became the first female deputy US Postmaster general.

In 1992, Canada became the first country to develop customisable stamps that were intended for greeting purposes. This particular form of stamp has become a phenomenon throughout major seasons such as Christmas and Easter time.

A number of countries began issuing their first ever set of stamps in the 1980’s and 1990’s, including Burkina Faso, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

If you need to send a parcel internationally, why not make the most of the services RAND Logistics has to offer?

A History of the Parcel: Day 3

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It’s time to take a look at the 1970’s in our latest instalment of the history of the parcel. Whilst many more countries began to issue their fist ever set of stamps, there were some major changes in postal structure for many countries across the globe throughout this decade, including the USA and Canada.

Between 1971 and 1979, many countries issued their first stamps including Benin, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Tuvalu and the Gilbert Islands which became Kiribati in 1979 and consequently issued new stamps.

The United States passed the Postal Reorganisation Act in the 1970’s, subsequently privatising the postal service.Seven years later, the USA made express mail permanent, after they had trialed the new form of mail since 1970. In 1978, the USA started to copyright postage stamps and other philatelic items.

In 1971, the privatised United States Postal Service began operating courtesy of the Postal Reorganisation Act. In the same year, Canada introduced six-character post codes for the first time. Three years later, the US stopped using the highway post offices. Railroad post offices also came to an end in 1977.

If you need to send a parcel internationally to countries such as the United States or Canada, RAND Logistics can provide you with the international parcels service that you require.

 

 

 

A History of the Parcel: Day 2

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Our history week continues today with specific focus on the 1960’s. We take a look at some of the groundbreaking events that occurred during this particular decade and highlight the significant changes that came in to effect worldwide.

1961 saw Cameroon issue it’s first stamps as an independent country, whilst the UK trust territory of Cameroon had issued its own stamps just a year before. Many other countries including Bhutan, Burundi, Kenya, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and the Independent Republic of Malta all had stamps introduced for the first time in the 60’s.

1963 welcomed the introduction of the ZIP code in the US, something that became essential for mail delivery and you will certainly need a ZIP code if you wish to send a parcel to the United States in the modern era as well.

In 1966, the United States decided to put an end to its postal saving system. Two years later they also introduced priority mail, which was a form of mail that became an integral part of the United States first class mail service.

If you need to send a parcel internationally, you should consider the excellent services that RAND Logistics can offer. Be sure to check back in the mean time for tomorrow’s instalment regarding the history of the parcel.

A History of the Parcel: Day 1

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This week we will be taking a look at how parcel post has developed over the years, with analysis on specific historical changes that have caused the postal service to go from strength to strength. Last month was the 132nd anniversary of the first ever international parcel service and a lot has changed since those days. So whilst you prepare to send your parcel internationally with RAND, we focus on the earliest years of the postal service and how parcel distribution has changed since then.

Thanks to the considerable growth of annual parcel traffic in Britain in the late 19th century, the development of the famous Mount Pleasant Sorting Office gathered serious momentum. At the turn of the century, around 70,000 parcels were being sorted each day and this increased dramatically over the Christmas period. Before long, the Mail Rail service had been built to further increase the distribution of parcels across the country.

Other famous forms of parcel distribution were introduced before any particular service had come into existence, one of which is Balloon Mail, a temporary form of mail that was used during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 to get mail out of Paris during the Siege of Paris. Stephen Smith, a secretary of the Indian Airmail Society, utilised rocket mail up to the mid-20th century.

Clearly the forms of transporting mail have changed drastically over the years, which is why RAND Logistics provide the international postal services that they do. If you need to send a parcel internationally, make the most of RAND’s excellent services today.