Frequently Asked
Questions.
Answers to the questions we hear most often — bookings, transit times, duties, DDP, volumetric weight, customs documentation, tracking and more.
Bookings, pickups & cancellations.
Everything about scheduling a collection, account requirements and changing or cancelling a booking.
When can I make a booking?
Use the online quote tool for parcels/documents on the home page, or the "get a quote" form for other shipments. For urgent collections, call +44 (0) 333 0144 055. Weekend/holiday collection or delivery requires special arrangements. Bookings must be completed or made before midnight for next-day collection, and service restrictions apply.
Can I book a forward collection?
A forward collection is a consignment that is collected from a remote location to be forwarded on to another location. Email or phone with collection/delivery details, pieces, and weights to arrange this.
Can I get my parcel collected?
Yes — send a booking request, and BDS will collect your parcel after the booking is made.
Can I have my parcel collected from my place of work?
Yes — indicate the pickup location (e.g., Reception) in the 'Pick up Point' box. Someone must be physically present when the courier arrives.
Does BDS guarantee its pick-up services?
No. Courier assignment may sometimes be difficult (e.g., due to traffic), so pickup services aren't guaranteed.
Do I need an account to ship with BDS Shipping?
No account is needed for sea freight — simply pay a deposit per booking. Frequent shippers can contact BDS to discuss opening an account.
How do I change or cancel a booking request?
Contact BDS Customer Services at +44 (0) 333 0144 055 as soon as possible. Confirmed bookings incur a charge based on destination, airline, and commodity.
Where we ship & who carries it.
Address types, country categories and which carrier handles your shipment.
Can I ship to a P.O.Box address?
PO Box delivery isn't available within the UK, but it's the only option for some international destinations. A contact name and valid phone number for the receiver are required.
What is domestic?
A courier/freight industry term referring to shipments traveling within the same country.
What is the European Union?
A group of countries primarily in Europe. Shipments traveling between EU countries aren't eligible for customs inspection and are exempt from duties or taxes.
Which carrier will my consignment be travelling with?
BDS uses multiple suppliers/agents for best pricing. Each shipment travels with one of our preferred partners — contact Customer Service for details.
Invoices, codes & duty terms.
From Pro Forma invoices and commodity codes to DDP, Free Domicile and Certificates of Origin.
What is a Commercial Invoice?
Invoices that accompany goods that have been sold, used for customs purposes the same way as Pro Forma invoices.
What is a Pro Forma invoice and when would I need to send this?
When goods are paid for by the consignee before shipping, the consignor must provide a Pro Forma invoice showing the amount paid so receiving authorities can assess duty and tax based on value and commodity code.
What is a Customs Invoice?
An invoice used by customs to determine duty tax for shipments traveling to a non-EU destination.
What is a Commodity Code?
A code assigned to every product by Customs & Excise indicating the duty level payable. Duty levels can vary by country and product.
What is a Certificate of Origin — "C of O"?
A document signed by the exporter and witnessed by an agency such as the Chamber of Commerce. Required by certain countries (and most of the Middle East), it certifies where goods were actually produced — not necessarily the shipping country.
What is DDP?
DDP is a term used by freight and courier companies and means "Delivery Duties Paid." The shipper pays duties/taxes levied by customs instead of the consignee. Only available to certain destinations.
What is free Domicile?
When both Duties and Taxes are billed back to the shipper, as opposed to DDP where only the duty is billed back.
What is Free Domicile?
Similar to DDP, but the shipper covers both duties and local taxes levied by customs. Only available to certain destinations.
How do I calculate duties and taxes?
Each product has a tariff code with an assigned percentage used by Customs to calculate duty taxes. The percentage applies to the entire shipment value plus associated freight costs.
How can I pay for duties and taxes?
If DDP or Free Domicile is available to the destination, there's a service fee plus the customs taxes, which are invoiced upon receipt of customs charges.
Times, tracking & delivery.
How transit times work, what's guaranteed, and how to track your shipment in flight.
What is the difference between Deferred and Express?
Express is the quickest delivery option, whereas Deferred generally takes longer for the goods to arrive.
What does transit time mean?
The number of days a consignment takes to be delivered.
Does transit time include weekends or public holidays?
No — transit times are based on working days only.
Are transit times guaranteed?
No — transit times are a guide only, averaged for deliveries to major Airports/Seaports. They may vary based on locations, shipment specifics, or circumstances outside BDS's control.
How do I track and trace my shipment / when will my shipment arrive?
You'll be given a tracking number and can call BDS directly for shipment progress.
Cost, weight & dimensions.
What drives the price, volumetric weight, size limits and how to measure your parcel.
How much will my shipment cost?
Cost depends on shipment size, destination, and speed of delivery. Request a quote online or via Customer Service.
What is the maximum weight and size limits for a package?
For international shipments, refer to the International Courier page. Large but lightweight parcels may be billed by volumetric weight, calculated automatically from given dimensions. Contact Customer Service at +44 (0) 333 0144 055 if your package exceeds limits.
What is volumetric weight?
If a parcel's volumetric weight exceeds its actual weight, you'll be billed on volumetric weight. BDS calculates this automatically from dimensions.
Formula: Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6000 = Volumetric Weight (kg)
How do I calculate the weight and dimensions of my parcel?
Use kitchen or bathroom scales (in kg) and a tape measure or ruler (in cm).
Can I estimate the weight/dimensions of my parcel?
Yes, but you'll be charged the difference vs. the actual chargeable weight. Bathroom scales and a tape/ruler are recommended if no commercial scale is available.
Note: Parcels are automatically reweighed and measured upon arrival at service centres.
Talk to a real person.
Our team replies within one working day. For anything urgent, give us a ring — we're here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- +44 (0) 333 0144 055
- info [at] bandevotedservices [dot] com
Ready to ship?
Drop the details below and we'll quote on next-day collection (UK) and worldwide delivery.
- Multiple carriers for best pricing
- Same-day quote within working hours
- Customs paperwork handled for you