Postage of the Future: Day 4

Posted on March 13, 2014 by admin

Yesterday we touched on how tracking parcels could really boost the efficiency of international parcel delivery. Whilst there are plenty of tracking systems available online today, many of us would love to be able to know exactly where our parcels are and exactly how long they might take to arrive, especially if it’s a delivery of particular significance or a heavy parcel.

Thankfully, it seems that the introduction of smartphones, tablets and other kinds of handheld technology might completely change the way in which consumers deal with postal services.

We mentioned the idea of using e-mail as means of getting in touch with addressees in yesterdays blog post. Rather than restricting tracking services to email, we could even see an application of some sort that lets delivery companies provide information to customers directly to their handheld devices.

There are also many useful applications already available on the app store that could benefit delivery companies and their drivers including ZipCodes, Postal Code and UK Postcode, all of which provide in depth information regarding locations and so on.

There has been a real explosion of tracking applications available on both Apple and Android’s app store recently. As long as delivery services continue to explore the possibilities of parcel tracking, customers could gain all sorts of useful benefits from the service in the future.

With regards to future technologies, work is currently going into tracking systems that could potentially tell us exactly where our parcels are in the world using state-of-the-art GPS trackers.

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.

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?

Prohibited Items of Interest in the UK

Posted on February 26, 2014 by admin

It’s the third day that we focus on peculiar items found on postal restriction lists and we’re today we’re concentrating on the UK. Many people who live abroad may not expect to find some of the following items on the UK’s postal restrictions list, so it’s important that any friends or family living abroad are aware of what items or gifts could be stopped in their tracks.

Walkie-talkies are often regarded as an excellent gift for a child so they are often bought for Christmas or birthdays. However, any device that is capable of transmitting frequencies cannot be posted to the UK, so keep this in mind before sending a gift along these lines.

Any item that was made in a foreign prison cannot be shipped into the UK, whilst comics or magazines associated with horror genre are also prohibited. Other items you may not expect include batteries, pesticides and matches.

RAND Logistics provide a collection and delivery service throughout the UK and internationally, so get your quote and make the most of our unrivalled services today.

Prohibited Items of Interest in China

Posted on February 25, 2014 by admin

We continue our week of interesting items on postal prohibition lists across the world with China today. There are some rather unusual items present on China’s list of prohibited items, including items you might not expect to be too much of an issue.

As ever, it’s important you’re aware of what you can and can’t send to any country as you risk losing the item to customs.

If you’ve got someone you know in China a smart looking wrist-watch, think twice before posting it to him/her. Watches are on China’s prohibited list so keep this in mind when sending a sold item or gift to China.

There are plenty of other electronic devices that can’t be sent either including cameras, sewing machines, televisions, radios and much more. Electronics are commonplace on many public shopping sites such as eBay, so make sure your item being sent to China is not on their prohibition list.

Finally, don’t try and send anything that could potentially harm the cultural, political or economical damage to China. This includes any kind of document, film or photograph so choose what you ship carefully.

If you’re interested in sending a parcel to China but want to learn more about what can’t be sent there, check out our prohibited items section for China here.

Prohibited Items of Interest in Italy

Posted on February 24, 2014 by admin

There are some particularly interesting items on the postal restrictions list of many countries across the world, with some more bizarre than others. This week we take a look at some of the prohibited items you might not to expect in preparation for your trips abroad.

Losing an item to customs can be a real bother, so it’s important to know what you can and can’t take to certain countries. Today we’re focusing on Italy, a hugely popular holiday destination.

There are some notable items present on Italy’s postal restrictions list, whilst some are both puzzling and intriguing. Clocks and any clock supplies cannot be posted to Italy, so be careful when sending an antique clock to Italy as a gift.

There are many other unusual products included, such as any kind of footwear, musical instruments, leather goods and even toys that aren’t completely made from wood. If you’re planning on sending pictures, photographs or albums of images to a relative in Italy, don’t do it by post! All of those items are prohibited and won’t be allowed into the country.

If you are concerned about what can and can’t be sent to Italy, take a look at our shipping restrictions page for Italy to learn more about their restrictions.

Winter Olympics 2014: Day 5

Posted on February 14, 2014 by admin

It’s the last day of our Winter Olympics blog posts and as we come to the end of the downhill slope we take a look at how Great Britain is getting on in the games. Great Britain isn’t famous for their successes in the Winter Games, although they have set a target of three medals this year. Here’s what’s happened so far for team GB and a brief look at their history in the games.

Great Britain won the first ever medal on snow in this year’s winter games with a bronze medal victory for Jenny Jones in the women’s slopestyle. Since then GB have struggled to add to their medal tally but finally managing to win a medal on snow is a positive achievement. Elsewhere team GB are putting a lot of their hopes on the curling teams who have tasted success in the past, most notably in 2002.

The most medals Great Britain have ever won in a winter games is four medals, way back in 1924. Their total accumulation of medals in the history of the winter games currently stands at 22 with 9 gold medals.

As we come to the end of posts surrounding the Winter Olympics, remember that RAND Logistics provide a collection and delivery service internationally. So if you need to ship a parcel abroad make sure you come to RAND for your free quote.

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