On 4^th July 1776, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain and the date has remained as a big day of celebration for Americans…

If you have family or friends in the States, more than likely they’ll be celebrating 4th July with backyard BBQs and explosive fireworks. DHL helps families and friends celebrate special events, like Independence Day, regardless of the distance between them.

We make it easy to send gifts to your friends this Independence Day. With over 1,300 Service Points nationwide, we’re sure to be on a high street near you. So, once you’ve found the perfect present, just take it to your local Service Point and we’ll send it on its way!

Why not impress them with some of our favourite 4^th July facts?

• On 4^th July 1776, America declared its independence from Britain. It was the separation of 13 colonies from Great Britain.
• Each year on 4^th July, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics and family gatherings.
• The estimated population on 4^th July 2013 is 316.2 million
• Three of America’s first five presidents died on 4^th July.
• 150 million hotdogs are consumed on 4^th July every year
• 700 million lbs of chicken is purchased in the week leading up to 4^th July
• 190 million lbs of red meat/pork is purchased in the week leading up to 4^th July
• 25 million lbs of fireworks is sold to cities for public celebrations
• 11: number of places in the US with “Independence” in their name

Sources: (CNN, The Herald Tribune, US Census Bureau as of 7.3.2012)

Whilst we can’t deliver sizzling BBQs or explosive fireworks, we can help you join your American buddies in spirit by celebrating Independence Day with a hamper full of American goodies. Click here to find out more about our new competition. But hurry, it closes tomorrow!

Following the success of the Harlequins’ Heineken Cup campaign, we’re offering you the chance for victory too!

Last week, DHL delivered over a tonne of equipment to Southern France ahead of Harlequins’ game against Biarritz. The team secured a place in the Heineken Cup quarter-final and we need your help in supporting them to victory.

There is a DHL van (as pictured above) with images of three top Harlequins players – Danny Care, Chris Robshaw and Jordan Turner-Hall – driving around the vicinity of the Harlequins’ training ground in Guildford. For your chance to win one of five signed Harlequins shirts, we just want you to snap a photograph of the van and tweet us at @dhlservicepoint using the hashtag #snapthevan.

The competition ends on Thursday 28^th February and we will announce the winners on Twitter on Friday 1^st March.

Good luck!

Keep up to date with the latest Harlequins news by following the team on Twitter at @QuinsRugbyUnion.

Please note: we encourage all participants to act safely and take reasonable precautions to ensure their safety whilst taking photographs of the van.

Terms and conditions

1. The draw is open to all @dhlservicepoint Twitter followers and DHL Service Point blog users who correctly tweet a photograph of the Harlequins branded van using the hashtag #snapthevan.

2. The Prize is one signed Harlequins Rugby shirt. This is non transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other prize of equivalent value.

3. The closing date for all entries is 23.59 GMT on Thursday 28^th February.

4. Only one entry per person is allowed.

5. The winners will be drawn at random from all eligible entries received.  The winners will be notified on Friday 1^st March by Twitter. Failure to respond within seven days of notification will result in the prize being withdrawn and a replacement winner drawn.

6. The draw is open to UK residents aged 18 and over only. Entry is free and no purchase is necessary.

7. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

8. DHL employees and agencies working on behalf of DHL and their immediate families are not eligible to enter the Draw. The winner(s) agree that DHL International (UK) Ltd their subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies and employees, and any other sponsors and Prize providers shall have no liability in connection with acceptance or use of any of the Prizes awarded in the Draw. We reserve the right to disqualify any entrant and/or winner at our absolute discretion.

9. Winners may be required to participate in publicity.

10. The details of winners can be requested by writing enclosing a stamped addressed envelope to the promoter at: Marketing Department, DHL International (UK) Limited, 178-188 Great South West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW4 6JS.

11. English law applies and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts shall prevail.

12. All activities are undertaken at the participant’s risk and neither DHL nor Harlequins Rugby Club will be held responsible for any damage (accidental or otherwise), personal injury or loss suffered by any participants or have any other liability at all to any party as a result of this competition.

Data Protection:

Your personal details are important to us and will be used fairly, in confidence and kept secure for no longer than necessary for the herein purpose in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Act gives you the right to access information held about you. Your right of access can be exercised in accordance with the Act. Any access request may be subject to a fee of £10 to meet our costs in providing you with details of the information we hold about you.

If at any time you wish to update or correct any personal information DHL holds about you or you no longer wish us to use the information, please write to: DHL Express Contact Centre – Customer Services Millenium House, East Midlands, Unit 5 Argosy Road, Castle Donington, Derbyshire DE74 2SA.  Tel: 08701 100 300 Email: [email protected]

It’s always worth checking that the item you’re sending can be accepted for delivery. The list of items prohibited for shipment within the UK might surprise you…

Sending a present to someone special? Birthday, wedding or Christmas – whatever the occasion, DHL Servicepoint offers convenient and cost-effective delivery options to locations across the world. Perfect for making sure your presents are delivered quickly, with the care and attention you’d expect from the world’s leading logistics company.

But it’s worth remembering there are some things even we can’t deliver. This includes all those things that are prohibited for carriage by national or local laws and regulations. And the list includes a few potential gift items that might surprise you.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the things we unfortunately can’t accept for shipment within the UK:

• Jewellery (or anything made from precious metals and stones) worth more than £1000 (per waybill)
• Watches with a value in excess of £1000 (per waybill)
• More than one electronics item (e.g. X-Box, MP3 Player, iPad) in a single package
• Designer clothing worth more than £1000 (per waybill)
• Costume jewellery worth more than £250 per item
• Antiques or works of art worth more than €50,000

For our full list of prohibited items, click here

If you have any queries about your shipment, drop our customer services team a line on: 0844 248 0844.

For more information on DHL Servicepoint visit: https://dhlservicepoint.co.uk/

If there’s one thing I hate about summer holidays, it’s that they eventually come to an end.

It’s a feeling not helped by the fact that in my rush to escape, I usually leave the house looking like a scene from late nineties BBC series Life of Grime. The thought of returning to my unswimmable swamp of books, clothes and random stuff I lack both the space and inclination to clear away, only exacerbates those end-of-fun-back-to-work blues.

I’d argue that it’s not entirely my fault. Whilst laziness goes some way to explaining my predicament, like many people, my house is overflowing. The sheer quantity of stuff makes it impossible to manage. Which is why my strategy – shared, I suspect, by a significant portion of the British population – has always been run away and bury my head for 2 weeks a year in the sands of sunnier climes.

That is, until now. After much incessant pestering by my partner, I’ve finally caved and have been on a mission to finally get rid. I had my reservations at first – you never know when you might really need an inflatable tree – but I’ve come to realize it’s the best decision I’ve ever been forced to make. Having a tidy house really lifts the spirits. It even makes coming back from holiday seem vaguely tolerable.

Letting go is much easier than you’d think. And more profitable too. There’s money to be made by selling some of your clutter on ebay and you can guarantee you’ll get a great deal on postage with DHL Servicepoint. While you’re at it, why not put some of those unwatched DVDs on Amazon Marketplace? You can pop into your local Safestore and put valuable items in storage while you have a big clear out. What’s more, there’s a DHL Servicepoint in every Safestore, giving you the perfect opportunity to securely ship the stuff you’ve sold online!

With DHL Servicepoint, having a pre-holiday clear out couldn’t be easier!

Find your local DHL Servicepoint here – now in high street branches of Safestore, Whsmith, Staples and Rymans.

It’s easy to see why your dad sometimes feels a bit left out. Sandwiched between Mother’s Day and your annual summer holiday splash out, he’s lucky if you remember Father’s Day at all – let alone stretch your imagination and wallet beyond another pair of novelty socks and a secondhand book on fly-fishing.

But doesn’t he deserve better? After all those years of raising you, caring for you, and missing out on important football matches for you, hasn’t your poor old man at least earned a slightly grander gesture of your appreciation?

Don’t get us wrong – it’s not about going out and blowing all your savings on a luxury 5-day scotch tasting session in a remote Scottish mansion. In fact, you can make your dad’s day with just a little bit of creativity, planning and love.

Tipjunkie has some great ideas for DIY Father’s Day gifts – from handmade tie albums to pop-up beach chairs. Or, if you’re worried about the quality of your craft skills, why not check out this handy top ten of Father’s Day gifts?

And remember: if you have something to send, DHL Servicepoint is conveniently located on a high street near you – so you can send your dad lovely gifts and, whatever their shape and size, know they’ll get there with time to spare. Plus, packaging is ABSOLUTELY FREE and you can track your parcels online!

In fact, why not have a look around the rest of our website? You can search for your nearest Servicepoint, check out our simple and straightforward price guide, track your parcel, or read a host of helpful blog articles. Everything you need to make sure your dad gets his pressie on time and in pristine condition.

For more information on DHL Servicepoint: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk

So the shops are awash with heart shaped chocolates, cuddly teddy bears and bouquets of fresh red roses. It can mean only one thing: Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.

Whether that makes your heart swoon in anticipation or groan with despair at the commercialization of romantic love (spoilsport!), we want to mark the occasion by showing our Twitter followers and blog readers a little bit of love.

That’s why we’ve got our hands on £250 of high street vouchers to give away in our first ever Valentine’s Day competition.

So here’s the task:

We want you to tweet us to @DHLservicepoint, or post a comment here, telling us about the best present you’ve ever received from a loved one.

It can be anything – chocolates, flowers or a pair of novelty socks – but the more interesting you make it, the more chance you have of winning.

The response judged to be the most interesting, original, or laugh-out-loud hilarious, will win £250 of high street vouchers.

We’ll post our favourite comments along with the winner in another post on Valentine’s Day.

Remember: keep your entries clean. Anything unpublishable will automatically be disqualified.

Terms and conditions

1. The prize consists of one set of £250 high street vouchers.
2. The draw is open to all DHLservicepoint Twitter followers and DHL Servicepoint Blog users.
3. All entrants must be over 16 years of age.
4. Only one entry per person is allowed.
5. One winner will be picked.
6. The competition is open to UK residents only.
7. No cash or other alternative is available.
8. No purchase necessary.
9. The competition will close at noon on February 14th. The winner will be notified by email or by Twitter on February 14^th, 2011.
10. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be given.
11. Rude or offensive entries will not be accepted.
12. The judges’ decision is final.
13. DHL employees are not eligible to enter the competition.
14. Vouchers will be despatched by the 10th working day of the date of the draw.
15. Details of the winner can be requested by writing to the promoter at:

Marketing Department, DHL International (UK) Limited, 178-188 Great South-West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW4 6JS

A recent survey conducted by the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA), has revealed that most defined contribution pension schemes run by smaller firms are attracting combined employer and employee contributions of less than 8% of earnings.

There is also little evidence they are keeping pace with the increasing cost of building a sufficient pension as lifespans extend.

The ACA survey gathered responses from 404 smaller employers with 250 or fewer employees.  According to the Department for Business Innovation & Skills, there are over 1.2 million of these smaller firms which employ over half of the UK’s private sector employees (60%) and generate a half of all private sector turnover (49%), amounting to £1,589 billion per year.

Food for thought.

Equally worrying is the fact that at present, two thirds of the UK’s smaller firms offer no pension scheme at all despite the fact they will be required to auto-enrol their employees into a ‘qualifying workplace pension scheme’ between 2014 and early 2016 under government pension reforms.

Of the firms in the ACA survey without pension schemes, almost all (96%) said cost was the main reason they did not currently provide them.  And of those that do, they stated the reason employees did not join their schemes is also mainly because of cost (84%).

Commenting on the survey results, ACA chairman Stuart Southall said:

“Our survey has found savings by both employers and employees into defined contribution schemes generally have failed to keep pace with the cost of building a sufficient pension.  Pension contributions into most schemes reporting to this survey need to double on average to at least 15% of earnings if reasonable retirement incomes are to be achieved.”

For information on how DHL Servicepoint can help small businesses visit: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk

Earlier this month the Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced the government’s plans to expand its New Enterprise Allowance scheme which assists those out of work who wish to set up their own business.

The initiative will be rolled out nationwide this autumn with the potential to create thousands of jobs in 2011 alone and up to 40,000 new businesses by 2013.

David Cameron said:

“It is vital that we ensure businesses, and those people who find themselves out of work but have the drive and desire to set up their own business, have all the advice, support and mentoring they need.  Together we can make the years ahead some of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial in our history.”

Those interested in the New Enterprise Allowance will be given access to a business mentor who will provide guidance and support around their business idea and through the early stages of trading.

If they can then demonstrate they have a viable business proposition with growth potential, they can claim financial support which could be worth around £2,000 to each unemployed person who wants to start their own business.

The scheme begins in January in Merseyside and will then be rolled out to the remaining target areas from April and nationally in the autumn.

Are you a budding entrepreneur?  Could you benefit from the New Enterprise Allowance?  To learn more visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/new-enterprise-allowance/

For information on how DHL Servicepoint can help small businesses visit: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk

Are you running your business in the most tax efficient way?

While it is important to keep the taxman happy, it is also important to ensure your tax affairs – both business and personal – are managed so as to minimise the overall financial impact on your bottom line and your own purse.

A recent Real Business article, ‘The definitive tax guide for business owners’, offers ten top tax tips covering everything from reviewing reward packages and VAT arrangements to transferring business ownership and investing for capital growth.

It also includes information on an HM Revenue & Customs facility called the Business Payment Support Service which helps businesses experiencing cashflow difficulties to agree revised tax payment terms, without incurring penalties, on most taxes and duties including income tax, corporation tax, VAT, PAYE and National Insurance.

You can read the full article here.

And remember, if you’re running your own business DHL Servicepoint is also here to help with your delivery needs.  Our destinations include 220 countries worldwide with UK deliveries starting at £5.95 and the USA and Canada at £25.95.  All parcels are guaranteed and tracked at every stage and signed for on receipt.

Just pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack your parcel for free when you get there, pay and then leave the rest to us: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm

We can all breathe a sigh of relief for now as the Bank of England once again announced last week to keep interest rates at 0.5% for the 19^th month in a row.

While savers will not be best pleased, those with mortgages and loans – which includes a large chunk of the SME (small and medium size enterprise) community – will certainly applaud this welcome news.

And the decision will come as no surprise to the business world and economists who have predicted that the rate will remain at 0.5% until at least next year.  A necessary move perhaps, as while the UK is slowly dragging itself out of the recession – the economy grew by 1.2% in the second quarter – there is still talk that we’re not out of the woods just yet…

So if you are an SME business owner with cost-cutting high on your to-do list, why not send your parcels via DHL Servicepoint’s cost-effective and safe and secure international service.

Our destinations include 220 countries worldwide with UK deliveries starting at £5.95 and the USA and Canada at £25.95.  All parcels are guaranteed and tracked at every stage and signed for on receipt.  Just pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack your parcel for free when you get there, pay and then leave the rest to us www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm