Postage of the Future: Day 3

Posted on March 12, 2014 by admin

Today we take a look at how parcel delivery might develop to avoid one of the more frustrating aspects of receiving a parcel in the post. It can be incredibly annoying to come home and be welcomed with a message from the driver saying that you weren’t in to receive your parcel.

So how could parcel delivery change in the future to compensate for us not always being at home? Here are some of the possible solutions that the Royal Mail came up with last year that could make international parcel delivery a whole lot more efficient:

Many of us use smart phone applications as part of our everyday lives and we could now introduce tracking applications to give us a better idea of exactly how long our parcels are going to take to arrive on our doorstep.

In order to make sure your letters and parcels cannot be accessed when you aren’t in to receive them, lock boxes were also suggested so that drivers could deliver parcels in PIN-protected storage compartments rather than delivering to your neighbours.

E-mail is a form of contact regularly used in other forms of delivery service and it could prove to be extremely beneficial should someone need to know exactly when they have to be home to receive their parcel.

Visit our Help and FAQ’s page at RAND Logistics if you need to learn more about our current collection and delivery service.

Postage of the Future: Day 2

Posted on March 11, 2014 by admin

Yesterday we focused on Amazon’s Prime Air service that could change the face of how parcels are delivered on a global scale. Today we take a look at how Google has responded to Amazon’s “drone” project. Google have been widely recognised in recent years as they look to take the technology world by storm with driverless cars and “Project Glass”.

Towards the end of last year, Google revealed that they were planning the introduction of droids that could deliver groceries and heavy duty parcels to our doors. A Google executive partly responsible for Android smartphones, Andy Rubin, was the first to reveal Google’s postage project to the public.

Since resigning from his position at Android, Rubin has managed to get several companies onboard at Google, all of whom possess technologies that are capable of working towards a robotic postal service. Whilst it may seem too far off to challenge something like Prime Air which already has prototypes in operation, Google are confident that they can cover all sorts of activities with their robots including manufacturing and ultimately a parcel delivery service.

So what’s the realistic outlook for this particular form of delivery service? It might seem like something from a science fiction movie but Google have managed to join forces with a Japanese company that already make the most of digital robotics in delivery services. With that in mind, could we end up being greeted by a robot the next time our groceries arrive at the front door?

Postage of the Future: Day 1

Posted on March 10, 2014 by admin

This week we’ll be taking a look at what some of the potential outcomes could be as new ideas and the latest technological advancements start to appear in the postal industry. There are plenty of new ideas and inventions that have already been revealed by major online retailers including Amazon. We’ll be focusing on the prospect of Amazon’s Prime Air service today. Here at RAND we work with some of the largest couriers in the UK and internationally, including UKMail. Why not get a quote from our UKMail courier service today if you’re looking to ship larger parcels?

The Amazon drone was revealed to the world towards the end of 2013 and it proved to be a huge hit on YouTube as a result of its concept and appearance being related to that of something from science-fiction. The drones themselves have been named “Octocopters” by Amazon and the chief executive Jeff Bezos believes that they could be the start of a postal revolution.

The drones are capable of flying from one location to another, carrying a parcel up to 2.3kg in the process. Once they reach the postage address they simply drop the item off and return to the warehouse. Bezos has said that the drones aren’t likely to be in operation for some time yet, although they have already named the prospected service “Prime Air”.

It’s certainly a sign that technology is being integrated into the postal industry and new ideas for a more efficient postal system are emerging all the time. You can stay in touch with our blog here at RAND to learn more about the future technologies we could be seeing at some point over the next few decades.

Sending Baked Goods – Choices, Choices

Posted on March 7, 2014 by admin

We wrap up a happy week of delivering baked goods and perishables with a few last minute tips in making sure that your confectioneries reach the recipient in top condition.

Easier to Ship

Certain types of baked goods are easier to ship than others. Layer cakes and fragile goods like meringues are not recommended when sending things by post, although with meringues if you absolutely have to send them, sometimes freezing them works better and keeping them packed in cold storage, because this decreases of their chances of breaking in transit.

Moist breads, cookies and fudges and caramels are good for shipping as they are flexible and heavier and are less likely to break or ruin if they are thrown about a bit when being posted. Still place a ‘fragile’ sticker on all baked goods to prevent any cookies or muffins being ground into dust though!

Be Careful of Mixing Flavours

Strong flavours tend to overpower others especially if they are kept in the same space for extended periods of time. If you are thinking of sending gingerbread cookies or cookies with other strong flavours with more mild flavours, try to package them in separate boxes as the milder flavours can be overpowered by the stronger ones.

For more information on the level of services we can provide throughout the UK and worldwide, please contact RAND Logistics. With a well established network sending parcels throughout the world, from Italy to New Zealand and anywhere in between, RAND Logistics is the only courier to choose.

Sending Baked Goods – Keeping Gifts Fresh

Posted on March 6, 2014 by admin

Everybody loves getting gifts in the post and it is even more heartfelt when these gifts are handmade and edible! Cookies and muffins are great if you are recovering from an illness, or you simply feel homesick for some traditional family cooking. Make sure your baked goods reach their intended destination in good condition with our top hints and tips.

Double Wrapped, Double Fresh!

You can never pack your baked goods too well. By ensuring that all Tupperware containers are sealed with cello tape and then placed inside a larger container, you are reducing the chances of the goods being exposed to air, plus you are reducing their chances of breaking from being thrown around. Place the smaller container in a larger container and fill with packing peanuts or bubble wrap to ensure that the container does not move around in transit.

Retaining the Moisture

Pack soft cookies or muffins with a slice of bread or a slice of apple, as these help the goods to retain their moisture. If you are packing up cookies, try not to pack moist cookies with hard ones, as the moist cookies will soften the crisp ones. If you have to pack them together, make sure each cookie is well wrapped individually.

For fast delivery and excellent service worldwide from Spain to Pakistan and further afield, choose RAND Logistics.

Tips on Sending Baked Goods – Wrapping

Posted on March 5, 2014 by admin

What better way to show you care for someone than a nicely wrapped fresh package of baked goods waiting at their door? At RAND Logistics we try to provide first class service along with top quality tips and hints for those sending packages throughout the UK and internationally, from Austria to the Ukraine and everywhere in between. Make sure to look into any postal restrictions before sending any packages abroad.

Double the Gift

Why not wrap breads, brownies or fudge bars in a decorative pan or baking dish to make it a doubled present? For added protection put the whole thing in an airtight container during shipping. Plus providing a baking dish or a decorative pan may encourage your recipient to try their hand at a few baking recipes in turn.

Separate Wrappings

For all types of cookies, both crisp and moist, it is better to wrap them individually in cling film or waxed paper to preserve freshness. Pack wrapped cookies in tight rows in order to prevent the cookies from moving about and breaking during transit.

Whether you are sending a package to a friend or relative, or starting up your own business, RAND Logistics can provide first class postal services at competitive rates. Use the free quotation form to get an instant quotation on your parcel now!

Happy Pancake Day

Posted on March 4, 2014 by admin

It is Pancake Day today! Many people get together to make their own pancakes or they buy them from available stores, but if you fancy baking some pancakes for a foreign friend or relative, here are some tips to getting them shipped fresh and ready to eat.

Preparation
Make sure to prepare all foods immediately before packing and mailing to ensure maximum freshness, however let all foods cool completely before boxing them up and shipping, as hotter foods can cause condensation on the inside of the container used to post them.

Speedy Shipping
To ensure freshness, choose the fastest shipping method available. You can even request urgent shipping from various companies.

Waxed Paper
Cookies and various other baked goods with sticky glazes and iced decorations can be protected by putting sheets of waxed paper in between each layer. Also avoid sending muffins and cookies with moist fillings or frostings as they can become sticky or soft at room temperature.

Make sure to check your local post office restrictions to see what types of goods can be posted internationally. At RAND Logistics we can ensure top quality postage at competitive rates. Contact us for more information.

Sending Baked Goods Through the Postal Service

Posted on March 3, 2014 by admin

With Pancake Day coming up tomorrow, we here at RAND Logistics are looking forward to testing out new pancake recipes in preparation for the big day. However you may know a friend or relative who isn’t so great at baking, and might need a little help.

Baked goods and various perishables are post-able, but it depends on where you want to send them. Check your local postage guidelines to see what types of baked goods and perishable foods are allowed to be sent cross country and internationally. Here at RAND, we have put together a number of top tips that will help keep your baked goods in the best possible condition so that they reach their recipient relatively unharmed.

Choose the Right Container
Hard air locked containers are the best way to sent baked goods. Particularly for long distance parcels, air locked containers are recommended, as plastic will keep it fresh and prevent the goods from becoming stale.

Fragile
Mark the box fragile to ensure that the postal office takes better care of it. ‘This side up’ also works well for decorated cupcakes and frosted doughnuts.

We’ll continue with more tips to delivering baked goods tomorrow, but for excellent service and first class delivery on all packages and parcels from Bahrain to Bulgaria and further afield, choose RAND Logistics.

Prohibited Items of Interest in Germany

Posted on February 28, 2014 by admin

It’s our last day of looking at the more bizarre prohibited items in countries across the world. It’s always helpful to know what’s prohibited in the country you are posting to as you don’t want to risk losing an item you’ve sent as a gift or that you’ve cherished for its value in the past. Today we’re looking at some of the prohibited items of interest in Germany.

Playing cards are a common gift and are probably one of the most recognised forms of gaming in the entire world. Germany has playing cards on there list of prohibited postal items unless they are complete decks that are properly wrapped. Germany prohibits loose playing cards as they are often used to carry drugs through postal networks.

Other unique items on Germany’s prohibition list include pulverised cocoa beans and the alcoholic drink Absinthe. Pulverised cocoa beans are a reasonably common food ingredient and Absinthe could potentially be sent as a gift.

It’s vital that you take a look at our list of prohibited items in Germany to ensure that you don’t lose anything you cherish when posting to Germany. Playing cards are often regarded as valuable collectibles which is why it’s important you only send properly wrapped and complete decks to Germany.

Prohibited Items of Interest in Canada

Posted on February 27, 2014 by admin

On the penultimate day of the working week we look at some of the more bizarre prohibited items in Canada. Many people relocate to Canada as a result of its stunning scenery, imposing mountainous regions, extraordinary wildlife and exciting winter sports.

For this reason, many people tend to post abroad to Canada from the UK so it’s essential that they are aware of what could be intercepted by customs. Whilst there are some expected items on the prohibited list there are also a few surprises.

If you’ve got any reprints that are copyrighted to Canada in the UK, it’s not advisable to use these as gifts. This could be any kind of publication or image that was originally made in Canada. If you’ve travelled to and from the country in the past, this could be you.

Other interesting postal restrictions in Canada include second-hand bee supplies. Whilst it’s unlikely that you’re friend or relative in Canada is a beekeeper, a jar of honey or anything along those lines would be prohibited.

Other unique items on Canada’s prohibition list include smoke-making devices, parcels with caution labels on them and commercial tags of metal.

If you need to send a gift to Canada, why not make the most of RAND’s international shipping service to Canada?

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