For senders

How to send a package through a traveler

A complete guide for anyone sending or receiving goods through Yablink. Takes about two minutes to read. Saves a lot of headaches.

Step 1

Prepare before you post a request

Before you post a send request on Yablink or message a traveler, take a few minutes to prepare. The more specific you are, the faster you'll find a match.

1

Know what you're sending

Have a clear idea of the item type (food, documents, clothing, electronics), approximate weight in kilograms, and the rough dimensions. Travelers need to know this to decide if they can accommodate your package.

2

Know your route

You need to know where the package is starting (your city in Turkey) and where it needs to arrive (the destination city). Be specific — 'Istanbul to Douala' is more useful than 'Turkey to Cameroon.'

3

Know your deadline

Do you need the package to arrive by a specific date? A birthday, a holiday, a family event? Be honest about your urgency when posting. Marking a request as 'Urgent' helps, but be realistic — last-minute requests are harder to match.

4

Package it properly

Before you hand anything to a traveler, the package must be sealed, labeled, and ready to travel. Use a sealed bag or box. Label it with the recipient's name and phone number at the destination. If it contains food, pack it to prevent leaks or breakage.

5

Know the customs rules

Every country has limits on what can be brought in as personal baggage. Check the customs regulations of the destination country before shipping. Travelers cannot be held responsible for undeclared goods — that responsibility is yours.

6

Have payment ready

Agree on a price before the handover. Bring the exact amount in the agreed currency (TRY or USD are most common). Yablink does not process payments — this is a direct transaction between you and the traveler.

Step 2

How to find the right traveler

On Yablink, you have two options: browse existing traveler listings, or post a request and wait for travelers to find you. Use both.

Option A — Browse first:
  • Go to Browse
  • Set the 'From' filter to your city in Turkey
  • Set the 'To' filter to your destination
  • Filter by departure date
  • Look for travelers with enough kg available for your package
  • Click 'Message' to start a conversation
Option B — Post a request:
  • Go to Post → "I need to send something"
  • Fill in: route, package weight, item description, needed-by date, urgency level
  • Your request goes live immediately and travelers on that corridor will be able to find you

What to look for in a traveler:

How many kg they have available
Their departure date and airline
Their note (do they specify what items they accept?)
Whether they have a completion history (visible in their profile)
Step 3

How to message a traveler

Once you find a traveler who looks right, tap 'Message'. A conversation opens inside Yablink. You don't need to share your phone number.

What to say in your first message:

Message Template

"Hi! I saw your listing for Istanbul → [City] on [Date]. I'd like to send about [X] kg of [item type]. Is this something you can accommodate? What would your price be per kg?"

What to agree on before confirming:

  • The exact weight and item type
  • The price per kg (or flat fee)
  • Where and when to meet for the handover
  • The recipient's name and contact at the destination
  • What to do if there's an issue at customs

A note on trust: Take your time. If something feels off — if a traveler is evasive about their flight details, refuses to meet in person for the handover, or asks for payment before you've confirmed anything — trust your instincts. Use Yablink's in-app messaging so there's always a record of what was agreed.

Step 4

Handing over the package

The handover is a critical logistical step. You can meet the traveler in person or ship it to them via local domestic cargo.

Choose your handover method

Coordinate a mutually convenient public meeting spot if you are in the same city, or agree to ship the package directly to the traveler's home/work address via a local cargo provider if you are in different cities.

Confirm package contents together

Both you and the traveler must acknowledge what is inside. If meeting in person, open it briefly. If using local cargo, send the traveler a clear video or photo of the contents and weight before sealing the box.

Weigh the package accurately

Ensure the final weight matches what you agreed upon. If shipping via cargo, provide a photo of the package on a scale alongside the cargo receipt.

Manage delivery timing for cargo

If sending through local cargo, dispatch it early enough so it arrives at the traveler's address at least 2–3 days before their international flight departure.

Agree on payment timing

Unless agreed otherwise, payment typically happens at the moment of an in-person handover, or via bank transfer once the traveler confirms receipt of your domestic cargo package.

Exchange destination contact details

Provide the traveler with the exact name, phone number, and address of the person who will be collecting the package at the final international destination before parting ways or shipping.

Common handover and delivery methods:

📦 Domestic Cargo (Yurtiçi, Aras, MNG, PTT)🚉 Major transport hubs🏠 Traveler's home or workplace✈️ Airport terminal

Note: Options vary depending on individual schedules and locations. Confirm with your traveler what works best for both of you.

Step 5

What happens after delivery

Once the traveler has delivered the package at the destination, here's what should happen:

  1. The traveler marks delivery as complete on Yablink. You'll see the status update in your conversation thread.
  2. Confirm with your recipient that they received the package and it arrived in good condition. A quick message to your family member at the destination goes a long way.
  3. Confirm the delivery on Yablink from your end (optional but encouraged). This builds the traveler's track record and helps the next sender who considers using them.
  4. Leave a note — if the delivery was smooth, acknowledge it. If there were issues, note them. This community trust infrastructure is only as strong as what people put into it.

If something went wrong

Yablink does not insure deliveries. If goods were damaged, lost, or not delivered, this is a matter to resolve directly between you and the traveler — ideally using the conversation record on the platform as evidence of what was agreed. If you believe fraud occurred, contact us at support@yablink.com. We take reports seriously and will review account histories.

Questions senders ask