Planet Express Review

This is the ultimate Planet Express review.

If you’ve considered using a package forwarding service, then you’ve probably heard of Planet Express. Planet Express is one of the world’s most widely known package forwarding services. With Planet Express, you can shop in the USA and U.K. and have your packages shipped straight to your door. The online shopping options are endless when you use a parcel forwarding service like Planet Express.

Planet Express is a relatively new forwarding company with three warehouses across the U.S., and a warehouse in the U.K. Planet Express offers affordable shipping rates due to the volume of packages shipped. Planet Express also uses multiple shipping partners like FedEx, DHL, and Aramex.

Like many other package forwarding services, Planet Express offers customers a range of benefits that may make it difficult to choose between package forwarding companies. So what is Planet Express, and what sets it apart from other package forwarding services?

If you want to know:

What is a package forwarder

The pros and cons of Planet Express

How it compares to other package forwarding companies

What real customers think of Planet Express (see their reviews)

My personal experience with it

Then definitely keep reading.

The Best Package Forwarder?

I’m on a mission to review all the best package forwarders out there.

So far, Planet Express is the best one…

What Is Planet Express? Overview 

Planet Express is a package forwarding company that offers a range of services, including consolidated package shipping, shop for me service, and tax-free shipping. One of the most attractive features of using planet express shipping is their bulk shipping discount. 

Planet Express uses reliable shipping partners like USPS Express International, USPS Priority International, Postal Service Fully Tracked, FedEx, DHL, DDP Air, and Aramex. When shopping with Planet Express, you can track your packages and expect to receive your packages within 17-25 business days.

Planet Express has been around since 2017, and its head office is in Gardena, California. Still, they have warehouses in other locations like Oregon, Fort Pierce, Florida, Tualatin, and the U.K. 

Their competitive service offering makes them an attractive choice for customers looking for a package forwarding service. In addition, Planet Express ranks as one of the cheapest compared to other companies. 

Why Should You Use Planet Express?

Planet Express has a well-constructed platform and is one of the only mail-forwarding companies that accept payment in cryptocurrency. Planet Express also offers customers the option to shop with a U.S. or U.K. address and has multiple pricing plans suitable for individuals and businesses.

Planet Express offers customers very affordable rates that are easily 45% less than other package forwarders regarding shipping packages and 50% less when shipping consolidated packages.

What Services Does Planet Express Offer?

Planet Express offers a range of services to make international shipping convenient and hassle-free for their customers. These services include:

• Mail forwarding services
• U.S. and U.K. addresses for shopping internationally
• Customs paperwork management
• Tax-free warehouse (Oregon only)
• Consolidated shipping
• Package forwarding service
• Shop for me service
• Multiple package plans

How Does Planet Express Work? 

Planet Express is aimed at international customers who want to shop online and get their items delivered to their country and local shoppers who may want to save on shipping costs. To start using Planet Express, you’ll need to create an account on their website.

When signing up, you’ll need to put in a minimum deposit of $5 into your Planet Express account before being able to use their services. Once registered, you’ll have access to a virtual mailbox and get an account number. You will also receive a mailbox address which you use as the delivery address when shopping online.

Once your account is activated, you can start shopping online and use your Planet Express U.S. or U.K.-based address when filling out your delivery information. Once you’ve ordered a package online, you can go to your Planet Express dashboard and notify the warehouse that a package will arrive for you. This is done through the “Expected Package” option.

Once your package arrives, you can choose whether to keep it in storage while you wait for your other parcels to arrive and then use consolidated shipping to ship them to your door, or you could have the item shipped immediately. You can also request pictures of your package and get planet express to handle all the customs forms.

Before shipping your package, you also have the option to select your shipping carrier. These options will vary depending on the size of your package, destination, cost of shipment, and shipping time.

Planet Express also provides a detailed explanation of how to ship a package.

It’s important to note that Planet Express ships to all countries except the following:

• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Kosovo
• Syria
• Russia
• Belarus
• Crimea
• Myanmar
• Sudan

Planet Express does not offer a P.O. box address but instead uses its warehouse location to accept delivery during business hours. You can also use your Planet Express address if shopping from other international countries.

Planet Express does not only receive packages but can also receive mail. If you consider using Planet Express to receive mail for you, you will need a notarized USPS 1583 form. 

Shipping costs and shipping times will vary, but you can use the shipping calculator to determine how much it will cost to ship products to your door. The shipping calculator provides shipping rates for any destination and can help give you an idea of what you could pay for shipping.

Who Is Planet Express For? 

Planet Express is for individuals and businesses. Expats, digital nomads, travelers or just those looking to shop internationally but can’t get items shipped to their country can benefit from using Planet Express. Planet Express can also be used by e-commerce store owners who want products imported from the U.S. to their country to sell in their online stores.

What Features Does Planet Express Offer?

Besides shipping to multiple countries worldwide, Planet Express offers customers many other attractive features that include:

Package Tracking

There’s nothing worse than ordering a package online and not being able to track it. Luckily, Planet Express offers package tracking so you can track your package from their warehouse to your door. This way, you’ll be updated if there is any change in delivery times and will be notified when your package will arrive.

Package Insurance

Planet Express recommends that you take out insurance on your packages. If your parcel is lost or gets damaged, you will receive a refund if you’ve taken out package insurance on your packages. In addition, some delivery carriers like DHL and FedEx may also cover insurance.

Customs Declaration

Customs declaration needs to be completed before you receive your package. Sometimes these can be tricky to fill out. Planet Express can complete the customs declaration on your behalf; that way, you won’t need to worry about completing it.

Package Photos

Planet Express provides free photos of your package so you can check that it’s the correct item before it is shipped. You also have the option of requesting more pictures for an additional fee. This is a great way to check that the correct package has arrived, and if Planet Express ships the wrong product to you, you can always query it.

Package Consolidation

Package consolidation is a great way to save money on shipping. You can order multiple packages from the U.S. and then have them shipped together and only pay one shipping fee. Planet Express states that you can save 50-80% on shipping fees when you use consolidated shipping.

Special Requests

Besides taking photos of your package, you may have a few other special requests. Planet Express has an option where you can complete the special request form, and they will carry out your special requests. This may include reinforcing the packaging on the items you want to ship or making returns for you for incorrect products received.

Shop For Me

If you’ve tried shopping online, but your payment method gets rejected, you can use the Planet Express shop for me service. With this service, employees at Planet Express will shop on your behalf and purchase the items you want. Once purchased, you’ll pay Planet Express for the items bought.

The Pros and Cons of Using Planet Express

Before using Planet Express, consider the pros and cons of using this package forwarding company. This list of pros and cons is also based on honest planet express reviews submitted by customers using this service.

How Much Does Planet Express Cost

Planet Express has two pricing plans: a free mailbox and a premium one. Each of these options also comes with additional fees and a few perks. For new shoppers, it’s best to start with the free mailbox plan, and if needed, you can always upgrade to the premium mailbox.

Planet Express Pricing 

While there is a premium pricing plan you can still sign up for the free plan. With the premium plan you get access to the sales tax-free warehouse, extended free storage, package consolidation, and other perks. With both plans you get free package photos as they arrive. Check more pricing details here.

Refund Policy

Planet Express may issue a refund if your package is lost or damaged. To request a refund, you will need to submit a claim. You can submit a claim through your Planet Express dashboard. To begin the claim process, you can follow the steps outlined in the open claim request page on Planet Express.

My Personal Experience

As I’ve been traveling quite a lot the last few years, there were many times I needed to buy things from the US and ship all around the world. From laptops and electronics to supplements and personal care items. Out of all the options I’ve used, I always had a smooth experience with Planet Express, and I totally recommend them. Here’s what to expect:

I made my order on amazon but sent the package to my new address I received when I signed up for Planet Express.

I had a second order sent, as I wanted to test their consolidation feature. Two days later, I received an email from PlanetExpress stating that my amazon order had arrived in their warehouse, with two photos attached.

Once the second order arrived, with the relevant email, I opted to consolidate the two packages into one big package to save on shipping fees.

After that, I completed the customs declaration. The description of the item, the quantity, the monetary value, and whether or not it contains batteries are all required. 

Lastly, I had to choose a shipping option out of 4 options. I went with the cheapest option and didn’t add insurance (insurance was $3/ $100 value). The package was sent the same day, and it took around 10 days to arrive.

The only thing to note is not to ship items that are not allowed by customs. For example, don’t ship supplements to Argenina. I learned this the hard way last time I was in Buenos Aires.

Overall my experience so far has been positive, that’s why I keep using their service.

Conclusion

Planet Express is an excellent forwarding company for international shoppers who want to shop online in the U.S. or U.K. While only some of the reviews for Planet Express are good, their attractive features and services make it a very appealing choice for customers. If you plan to use Planet Express, start with a free pricing plan and a small purchase before the premium plan.

FAQs About Planet Express

Now that we’ve covered everything you should know about Planet Express, we’ve also included a few other questions you may have about Planet Express before you decide to register an account with them.

Planet Express Alternatives

I’m on a mission to review all the top package forwarding companies.

Here’s my progress so far.