Laos is officially known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It is a landlocked country within the Indochinese peninsula of Southeast Asia. The country is bordered by Thailand to the west and southwest, Cambodia to the southwest and China and Burma to the northwest.
The country has a long and varied history having changed ownership a number of times. In 1893 it became a French protectorate before briefly gaining independence in 1945, following Japanese occupation. It then returned to French rule before being granted autonomy in 1949, and then full independence in 1953.
The country is one of East Asia’s fastest growing economies with annual GDP growth of around 7%. The region has developed its economy by providing electricity from its vast waterways to Thailand, China and Vietnam. It has also heavily invested in the country’s infrastructure with new railways connecting Laos to neighbouring countries. The country was granted full membership of the World Trade Organisation in 2013.
Foreign investment from the UK is limited in Laos, as according to Transparency International, Laos is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. China is the largest foreign investor in the country however, and the United States began trading with the country after 2011. This is providing encouragement to other countries such as the UK to begin trade deals with Laos.
Parcel Delivery To Laos
Cheap courier services to Laos usually go to the capital Vientiane, although other popular cities include Luang Prabang, Savannaket and Pakse. Most shipments are made via air freight into the Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang, International Airport and the Pakse International Airport. The vast rural areas of Laos have poor infrastructure, which does slow deliveries down. Some of the rural locations with unpaved roads are only accessible at certain points of the year, so it is worth taking care when timing parcel delivery to Laos. The average delivery time of a cheap courier to Laos is around 7 days, although this will vary significantly depending on the price you are willing to pay.
The main exports from the country are rice from subsistence agriculture, which accounts for around 80% of employment. Economic development is hampered by the emigration of much of the skilled workforce, some of whom have settled in the UK. This is good news, however, for courier companies and individuals who are looking for parcel delivery to Laos. There are a growing number of people who are looking to send a parcel to Laos from the UK, which is increasing competition and driving down prices. The government is hoping to attract increased investment from the UK and other countries in the west, based on its large natural deposits of tin, copper, gold, bauxite, coal and other valuable metals. One of the most popular exports to the west is from the Lao Brewery Company, the alcoholic beverage Beerlao, which is rising in popularity here in the UK.
There has also been a significant rise in the tourism industry over the last ten years, and therefore Laos parcel delivery has begun to increase in demand. Currently over 1.5 million tourists visit the country each year, many whilst backpacking around Asia. Tourism is the country’s fastest growing sector and it is expected to continue its rapid growth. There are many tourists who are choosing to stay in the country for an extended period of time, and so demand for cheap shipping to Laos from UK is increasing.
Delivery Prices To Send A Parcel To Laos
Although the country is located thousands of miles from the UK, cheap delivery to Laos is possible with prices starting at around £28.00 for a small parcel of around 1kg, delivered via airfreight.
Just because you may be searching for cheap courier services to Laos, that doesn’t mean that the courier you choose has to be a compromise when it comes to great service. We only use couriers we would trust with our own parcels. They all have vast experience in delivering parcels internationally, including cheap courier to Laos, so you can rest assured they are experienced and able to provide excellent customer service.
The courier will collect your Laos parcel delivery from your home or office address, and many are even able to collect from a local pick up point in your nearest post office or shop. This means there is no need to hang around waiting for a collection when you send a parcel to Laos. We understand how important it is for your peace of mind to know where your parcel is at all times. The couriers on our site all provide tracking technology as soon as your goods leave you for their parcel delivery UK to Laos journey. As the parcel moves along its route it will be scanned in at each location and the tracking system will be updated. This is perfect for the recipient, as they will know exactly when the parcel is due to arrive, meaning no more missed deliveries.
Useful Information When Sending A Parcel To Laos
Cheap delivery to Laos does involve customs processing, as the country is outside of the free trade movement of the European Union. Although this may seem complicated, your courier will guide you through the process and provide any advice you need along the way. You will be sent a customs declaration form to complete for your cheap shipping to Laos, which will detail the parcel’s contents and value. Even with the best value, but cheapest parcel delivery to Laos you will also need to include a commercial invoice. Bear in mind that it can take 4-6 weeks for a parcel to clear customs and there may be import taxes to pay on the items.
When addressing your parcel delivery to Laos, it is important to include the five digit postcode to help the courier pinpoint the address. The first two numbers indicate which province the parcel is being sent to, the final three represent the delivery office. When you send a parcel to Laos, make sure that you include the country name on the last line, and it should be written as LAO (PEOPLE’S DEM. REP.). It is advisable to include a contact number for the recipient if possible. If there are any problems finding the address or if the recipient is not home, the problem will be easily solved if your parcel delivery UK to Laos courier is able to make a quick phone call.
There are a number of restricted items for the country which includes all of the usual prohibited items such as; cigarettes, weapons, drugs, money and ammunition. However, a number of unusual items which could catch people out include; medicine, any document which could be judged to be against the interest of the public, and also any images of God or Buddha. If you do need any advice about the latest restrictions for your parcel delivery to Laos from UK, HM Revenue and Customs will be able to provide you with an up-to-date list.
As your parcel will be travelling thousands of miles and passing through many manual handling processing facilities, it is important to ensure it is well packaged. A sturdy, stackable box with very strong parcel tape is essential, even for the best cheap parcel delivery to Laos. Damage can also be avoided if arrows are included on the side of the box to indicate which way up it should face. Bubble wrap and silica gel packets can help protect the contents from breakages and drying out. The most common issues parcels face is the loss of essential documents needed to enter the country. A secure document holder should be attached to the outside of the parcel to ensure everything is present and easily found, so even the cheapest parcel delivery to Laos goes off without a hitch.
To find out more about the couriers who offer cheap parcel delivery to Laos, use our online comparison tool at Parcel Delivery today.
