International Document Delivery

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International Document Delivery

When a signed contract, tender, visa application or legal notice has to reach another country quickly and intact, ExpressRoad's International Document Delivery gives your paperwork priority handling, full tracking and proof of delivery — to over 200 countries.

Best for paperwork, not parcels. This service is built for envelopes and light document packs. Sending physical goods or samples? Use International Parcel Delivery instead — it is designed for dutiable items and higher weights.

What you can send

Legal & contractual

Signed contracts, agreements, powers of attorney, affidavits and notarised documents.

Business & finance

Tender submissions, invoices, share certificates, audit files and banking paperwork.

Personal & official

Passports, visa applications, academic transcripts, certificates and ID documents.

Trade documents

Original bills of lading, certificates of origin and letters of credit that must travel in hard copy.

Service at a glance

FeatureDetails
Transit timeTypically 2–5 business days, depending on destination and customs
CoverageOver 200 countries worldwide
Best forDocuments and light document packs (no commercial value)
TrackingEnd-to-end tracking with collection, in-transit and delivery updates
CollectionScheduled collection from your home or office
Proof of deliveryElectronic POD with recipient confirmation
BillingOn the higher of actual or volumetric weight — see Weights & dimensions

Documents vs dutiable goods — why it matters

Most countries clear genuine correspondence (papers with no commercial value) quickly and without duty. The moment an envelope contains something tradeable — a SIM card, a sample, a gift, marketing merchandise — customs treats it as a parcel, which means duties, taxes and slower clearance.

Keep documents pure. Do not tuck small items into a document envelope to "save on shipping". If in doubt, book it as a parcel — a misdeclared document held at customs costs far more time than it saves.

How to prepare your documents

  1. Use a rigid envelope or document sleeve so pages arrive flat and uncreased.
  2. Protect originals — slip legal or academic originals into a plastic sleeve inside the envelope against moisture.
  3. Keep a copy or scan of anything irreplaceable before it ships.
  4. Complete the sender and recipient details in full, including a contact phone number for the destination — couriers and customs use it to resolve queries fast.
  5. Declare the contents honestly as documents of no commercial value.

Frequently asked questions

How fast will my documents arrive?
Most destinations are reached in 2–5 business days. Exact timing depends on the country and its customs process. You will see a delivery estimate on your quote, and every shipment is tracked door to door.
Can I include a small item with my documents?
No. Anything with commercial value — even a small sample or gift — makes the shipment a parcel for customs purposes. Send those on International Parcel Delivery so they clear correctly and are covered properly.
Will I pay customs duty on documents?
Genuine documents with no commercial value are normally cleared without duty. Because rules vary by country, we recommend keeping the envelope strictly to paperwork to avoid unexpected charges or delays.
How is the price calculated?
On the higher of the actual weight or the volumetric weight of your envelope, rounded up to the next whole kilogram. Most document packs are light, so pricing is usually straightforward — see Weights & dimensions for the detail.
Can I track delivery and get proof of receipt?
Yes. You receive tracking updates from collection through to delivery, plus an electronic proof of delivery confirming the documents reached the recipient.

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