In today’s internet savvy era, most documentation can be sent electronically via email or other online platforms, however there are still many instances where original documents are needed, and they are needed in another country. Now the issue comes into play of getting these crucial documents safely and securely through customs and having them arrive at their specific destinations (in a realistic timeframe).

This can seem like quite a stressful ordeal. You cannot afford to have these documents misplaced or ‘lost in transit’ and you aren’t exactly sure where to go from here? That’s where we come in. We are here to assist you in every step of the process and ease your mind along the way.

Is it Safe to Mail Important Documents or Send Them With A Courier?

It can be risky to use the SA postal service to send passports, certificates and other important documentation as they do not offer parcel tracking and the timeframes of these services can be lengthy. Though you can use another country's postal services when sending important documents to South Africa, you would still need to rely on our own postal service to complete the delivery once your documents arrive in the country. 

When sending important documents overseas through a courier company like InXpress, you can rest assured knowing that the delivery of your urgent documents will be done in a systematic and reliable manner. In order to ensure that your documents arrive safely, your envelope will not go through countless warehouses and will be delivered within a specific timeframe. 

We are here to guide you through the whole process, provide you with your parcel tracking information and be your single point of contact.

How Long Will it Take to Deliver My Passport or Other Important Documents?

• The timeframe in which a parcel will be delivered is dependent on a few aspects:
• The country you are sending the parcel to (and their own customs and regulations)
• The type of parcel and packaging
• The time of year

Contact us to discuss the delivery process and find out more about your specific parcels shipment timeframes.

What Are The Common Types Of Documents We Ship At Inxpress?

We help our customers ship a broad variety of documents all over the world. Some of these documents include but are not limited to:

• Contracts
• Certificates
• Passports
• Identity documents
• Case files
• Blueprints
• And many more

How To Choose The Right Packaging Option For Your Important Documents:

Minimising the risk of damage and ensuring that your documents arrive safely at their destination comes down to choosing the right packaging (envelope, bag or box) to ship your specific documents in. 

The guidelines for packaging documents are grouped by weight, size and the quantity.

Single Documents (Up to 500g)

 - Standard envelope

Multiple Documents (Up to 2kg)

 - Shipping bag

Multiple Documents (Over 2kg)

 - Shipping box

How to Package Important Documents for International Shipping:

Documents can be both flimsy and confidential. That's why it's vital that you package them correctly. You want to avoid any damage during transit while ensuring that the packaging arrives both securely and safely. 

Below we have a few of our best practice packaging tips for ensuring your parcels safety and security:

• Choose a thick envelope so that no one can read your documents through the packaging.
• Envelopes with a hard back will avoid the bending or damaging of your document.
• Sandwiching your document between two pieces of cardboard can also help.
• If using a box, it is recommended that you use bubble wrap and internal packaging. 
• A waterproof wallet is best for your shipping label in order to protect your shipping information.
• Shipping scanners can struggle to read anything with a reflective surface (black plastic wrap or clear tape over labels is not advised).

If you need to ship a passport or other important documents internationally, get in touch with us. We will guide you through the process and ensure your documents are delivered safely, securely and efficiently.