Overland Express in 2025: A well-established UK courier and parcel comparison platform

Overland Express is a long-standing UK parcel delivery and courier comparison platform, originally founded on 6 December 1992. In the early days, before e-commerce and real-time tracking, parcel delivery relied mostly on bike couriers, vans, overnight shipments or traditional international carriers. More than 30 years later, Overland Express positions itself as a digital comparison tool, allowing customers to access discounted courier services and simplified shipping options across the UK, Europe and internationally.

By aggregating major carriers and negotiated tariffs, Overland Express helps both individuals and small businesses save time and money compared to contacting each courier separately.

Evolution of Overland Express and its role in 2025

With the rise of email and the early web, the courier industry evolved quickly: expectations shifted towards instant tracking, clear delivery timeframes and simple online booking. Overland Express adapted by moving away from a pure delivery role and becoming an online comparison and booking platform.

In 2025, Overland Express focuses on three main strengths: giving users transparent price comparisons, opening access to discounted services from major couriers, and offering options for certain valuable items that standard carrier insurance would not cover. This positioning makes Overland Express particularly relevant for occasional shippers, small businesses and online sellers who want professional-level services without negotiating their own carrier contracts.

How Overland Express works

The Overland Express “Send a Parcel” tool

The core of the Overland Express website is the “Send a Parcel” tool, which guides the user through a structured booking flow. The sender enters the collection and delivery postcodes, then specifies the parcel’s weight and dimensions. Overland Express then displays a list of available services from different carriers, with prices and estimated delivery dates shown side by side.

Once the preferred courier and service level have been selected, the customer can add optional parcel insurance for high-value shipments and then confirm and pay online. Labels and instructions for collection or drop-off are provided immediately after payment. This process allows Overland Express users to compare and book in a few minutes, instead of repeating the same information across multiple carrier sites.

Overland Express carrier partnerships and global network

Overland Express works with several major logistics providers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD and Parcel Force. Through these partnerships, Overland Express offers UK next-day and timed deliveries, European services that include necessary customs documentation, and international shipping to more than 200 destinations worldwide.

Instead of operating its own fleet, Overland Express connects customers to these carriers at negotiated tariffs. This allows individual shippers and small businesses to benefit from price levels closer to those usually reserved for higher-volume corporate clients, while managing everything from a single interface.

Tracking and delivery convenience with Overland Express

Most services booked through Overland Express include tracking from collection to final delivery, along with proof of delivery once the parcel has been received. Depending on the chosen service, parcels can be collected directly from the sender’s home or workplace, or dropped off at a designated location such as a post office or parcel shop.

For insured shipments handled through Overland Express, collection is usually organised directly from the sender’s address. This reduces the number of handovers and helps maintain a clear chain of custody, which is important for claims handling if something goes wrong in transit.

Key Overland Express updates for 2025

Stronger UPS integration and updated pricing

In 2025, Overland Express places particular emphasis on improved UPS pricing. The platform highlights more competitive tariffs for mid-weight parcels, especially in the 10–20 kg range, on both domestic and international routes. As a result, UPS appears more frequently as a recommended option in Overland Express quotes where speed, reliability and cost need to be balanced.

Overland Express and post-Brexit customs documentation

For EU shipments, including to France, Overland Express automatically generates customs documents during the booking process. The sender provides basic information about the contents and their value, and the platform creates the required forms as part of the label generation.

This feature is especially useful for occasional exporters using Overland Express who are not familiar with post-Brexit customs rules but still need to send parcels to European customers, friends or family members.

Overland Express reputation and customer feedback

Overland Express has built a visible reputation in the UK parcel market and is widely reviewed on independent platforms. Many recent comments point to cheaper prices than going directly to carriers, as well as the convenience of comparing multiple couriers in one place. Overland Express is also often mentioned in the context of fragile or unusual shipments, where customers want a clear overview of options and costs rather than dealing with several carrier sites individually.

Shipping valuable and luxury items with Overland Express

Shipping higher-value goods requires more than a standard label and tracking number. Insurance conditions, packing quality and collection methods are key when using Overland Express for this type of shipment. The company highlights specific options for categories such as antiques, oriental rugs, figurines, coin collections, certain musical instruments and IT equipment.

On eligible routes, Overland Express users may extend coverage beyond standard carrier liability, which is often limited or excludes these categories altogether. This makes Overland Express particularly attractive for customers sending items that would not be fully covered under normal courier terms.

Packing and handling requirements for valuable items via Overland Express

For valuable shipments, Overland Express sets clear packing expectations. A rigid outer cardboard box must be used, with sufficient internal protection such as bubble wrap, foam or equivalent cushioning to stop items moving inside the parcel. Parcels must be securely sealed and clearly labelled so that they can be handled correctly across the carrier network.

When higher-value or insured shipments are booked through Overland Express, collection is typically arranged directly from the sender’s address rather than via a parcel shop. This reduces the number of handovers, strengthens the evidence trail and helps protect both the shipper and Overland Express in the event of a claim.

Typical Overland Express use cases: eBay, auctions and private sales

Overland Express is frequently used for scenarios where individuals or small businesses trade valuable goods. Common examples include organising collection from UK auction houses, sending expensive gifts or collectibles to relatives, and shipping items bought or sold on eBay or other marketplaces.

In each case, the user enters the parcel details into the Overland Express quote tool, reviews the services and prices offered by different carriers, and books the most suitable option. This allows sellers and buyers to secure appropriate pricing and coverage without needing separate accounts with each courier.

Practical Overland Express booking checklist for 2025

Information required to book with Overland Express

Before starting a booking on Overland Express, customers should gather the key information needed to generate accurate quotes:

• Full sender and recipient names
• Complete collection and delivery addresses, including postcodes
• A working email address and phone number for contact and notifications
• Exact parcel weight
• Accurate parcel dimensions (length, width, height)
• Declared value of the contents if insurance is required

Providing realistic weights and measurements when using Overland Express reduces the risk of later surcharges or delays if the carrier assesses the parcel differently.

Restrictions to verify before confirming an Overland Express shipment

Before finalising the booking on Overland Express, it is important to check:

• Whether the goods are allowed by both the chosen carrier and Overland Express
• That the parcel’s weight and dimensions fall within the limits of the selected service
• Whether additional insurance is available and applicable for the specific item type
• Whether direct collection is mandatory for insured shipments

Taking a few minutes to verify these points within the Overland Express flow can prevent refused shipments, extra fees or denied claims.

When Overland Express is a good option

Overland Express is particularly relevant for customers who ship parcels occasionally but still want access to competitive rates, and for small businesses that do not have the volume to justify individual carrier contracts. By combining multiple carriers into a single interface, Overland Express makes it easy to compare prices and transit times and then book in a few clicks.

For eligible higher-value shipments, Overland Express becomes even more attractive thanks to the possibility of extending cover beyond standard carrier liability, provided the goods fall within the insurable categories and limits. For very high-value items or goods explicitly excluded by carriers or by Overland Express, specialised logistics solutions or dedicated insurance may still be required.

Overland Express FAQ

What is Overland Express?

Overland Express is a UK-based courier and parcel comparison platform that allows users to obtain quotes from multiple carriers, compare prices and delivery times, and book shipments online. Instead of dealing with each carrier separately, customers use Overland Express as a single point of entry for domestic, European and international parcel delivery.

How much does shipping with Overland Express cost?

Shipping costs with Overland Express depend on the parcel’s weight, dimensions, route and chosen service. By aggregating negotiated tariffs from several carriers, Overland Express often provides lower prices than standard counter rates. Users see all available options in a single quote result page and choose the service that matches their budget and delivery requirements.

How long does delivery take with Overland Express?

Delivery times via Overland Express vary according to the selected courier and service. For many UK routes, next-day or timed services are available, while European and international shipments may take several days depending on destination and service level. Estimated delivery dates are shown at the quote stage so customers can clearly see the trade-off between speed and price.

Does Overland Express offer insurance for parcels?

Overland Express offers options for extending coverage beyond standard carrier liability on eligible shipments, particularly for certain valuable items. On selected routes and services, shippers can add extra parcel insurance during the booking process to better protect high-value goods. Coverage limits and conditions depend on the type of items and the service chosen.

Does Overland Express ship internationally?

Yes. Through its partnerships with major carriers, Overland Express offers international parcel delivery to well over 200 destinations worldwide. For many routes—especially between the UK and EU countries—Overland Express also generates the necessary customs documentation as part of the booking process.

Is Overland Express suitable for high-value items?

Overland Express can be a suitable option for certain high-value shipments, such as antiques, collectibles or selected electronics, provided they fall within the platform’s insurable categories and value limits. Customers must follow the packing requirements and may need to arrange direct collection for insured goods. For items outside these limits or explicitly excluded, more specialised solutions may be necessary.

Overland Express official information and sources

For the most up-to-date details about Overland Express services, coverage and courier options, customers should consult the official website:
Overland Express — Official Site

(Source: Overland Express official website and service information as of 2025.)