US-based package forwarding startup Shipoala.com has announced its global launch, bringing convenient and affordable international shipping and delivery services to consumers in the Middle East and North Africa.

Shipoala.com provides users with free membership, a personal address in the US, flexible shipping services providing online shoppers around the world with easy access to thousands of US online retailers and specialty brands.

With Shipoala, members are able to save up to 80% on international shipping costs and benefit from other value-added services such as free storage for 45 days, re-packaging, consolidation and personal shopping services at no extra charge.

Main benefits of using Shipoala.com:

• Storage: Multiple orders rarely all arrive on the same day, so Shipoala will hold parcels for FREE up to 45 days at a climate-controlled warehouse until everything purchased has been delivered.

• Consolidation: Member can save up to 80 percent on shipping costs by consolidating multiple orders into a single compact package that is easy to track. For a nominal fee per package for consolidation services member can enjoy big savings.

• Repacking: It’s not uncommon for US retailers to use a large amount of packing material, especially when they’re shipping small or fragile items. Shipoala will repack your goods into space-saving boxes that will reduce international shipping fees.

• Personal shopping: Shipoala will make sure that for members to not miss out on any of the big sales, promotions and offers from US retailers and e-commerce sites. The personal shopping feature offers product recommendations based on preferences and past purchases.

• Shipping Calculator: Members can enter the dimensions and weight of items to get an idea of the costs prior to ordering. That way shoppers can plan and organize orders to suit budgets.

• Tracking: Members will get notified about the status of orders and track packages easily in seconds using the Shipoala website.

• Photos: Request high-resolution digital color pictures of the contents in the package before it leaves United States. Photos will be emailed within 24 hours of the request, offering the option to quickly verify colors, sizes and items in the orders before it arrives to the final destination.

Founded by MarkaVIP co-founder and COO Bourhan Yassin and an experienced team of seasoned entrepreneurs, e-commerce and logistics experts, Shipoala.com is run from its headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company recently established a presence in Dubai with the aim of expanding its reach among tech-savvy shoppers in the Middle East and North Africa.

After working for various e-commerce startups in Dubai for many years, Yassin saw a need to provide online shoppers with more reliable, cost-effective and seamless experience. With the recent uptick in online retail activity in the region following the entry of international e-commerce giants, Yassin says the timing is ideal to educate consumers in this part of the world about the benefits of using package forwarding services like Shipoala.

“Shipoala was created to help shoppers from around the world buy what they want without restrictions. In the Middle East, we saw a particular need for this type of service, where traditional retailers are too expensive, and consumers are limited when it comes to international shipping and delivery options,” said Yassin.

“We know how important it is to have a reliable shipping partner. We’ve spent years developing a strong working relationship with leading international shipping companies. This in return gives you a safe, reliable and on time delivery at preferred prices. We track, and monitor your order every step of the way,” he added.

Online sales in Middle East’s e-commerce sector are forecast to double to $48.8 billion by 2021, according to a recent Fitch report. The outlook is even brighter within the GCC, where Internet penetration rates are among the highest in the world, while the region is home to young and tech-savvy consumers, many of them expats who prefer to shop their favorite US brands online. — SG