With Christmas on the horizon, it's time to think about that special gift for that special someone.

But if you are looking for a special necklace, or some other special gift, you may not be able to find it here.

If that happens, it's good to know that a few short days and the assistance of a package forwarding service lies between you and your heart's desire.

Each day, tons of staples and luxury goods – more than $646 million worth from the U.S. in 2014 – land on Bermuda's shores, from jewellery and computers to prescriptions and designer stilettos.

Package forwarding services ensure that goods you order overseas are efficiently and cost-effectively shipped to the island, passed through Bermuda Customs, duty paid and delivered to you in perfect shape.

How much do you know about the process? Take our quiz:

1. True or False: When a U.S. retailer offers to ship your online order direct to Bermuda, you automatically get the lowest possible rates.

False. Be very careful. Online merchants boast about their affordable direct-to-Bermuda shipping, but usually outsource this task to an e-commerce platform. For online shoppers who choose this option, software seamlessly converts the price of an item to local currency and totes up international shipping cost, duties and taxes for your purchase.

The final results? A hefty fee with little transparency regarding markups on duty charges or possible higher prices imposed on merchandise displayed to international customers. When you choose this path, accessing cheaper shipping alternatives for your order is out of your hands.

2. True or False: Arranging to get an online purchase to Bermuda using an independent package-forwarding service takes more time.

False. Just the opposite, in fact. The fastest, cheapest way to get your U.S. purchases to Bermuda is always a Bermuda shipping expert like Mailboxes U.S. Express. For a $20 annual membership fee ($10 special running now), the company provides you with a personal U.S. address. You use this as your shipping address for all online purchases, emailing invoices for each purchase to the company. Two to four days from the arrival of your purchase at Mailboxes U.S. Express in the U.S., you'll receive a phone call that your package is ready to pick up at 48 Par-la-Ville Road in Hamilton.

3. True or False: The cost per pound for shipping packages to Bermuda is the same no matter what service you use.

False. Shipments to Bermuda are on a sliding scale based on weight. The first pound is always the most costly; every pound after that is much cheaper. As of fall 2015, the cost to ship a one-pound package by regular courier was $106; the U.S. Express fee: $21.85 – with no clearance or handling charges.

Mailboxes U.S. Express wrings out costs by consolidating bulk shipments to maintain a rock-bottom cost-per-pound fee structure, imposing no hidden markups and providing a flat insurance rate (2 percent of your item's value.)

"Our customers save up to 80 percent on shipping compared to prices charged by Fedex or UPS," says Stephen Thomson, President and CEO. "We have a huge following because we are reliable and we are so much cheaper than any alternative."

4. True or False: Duty on imported goods is no big deal.

False: Bermuda levies custom duties on almost all goods that arrive on the island. Duty ranges from zero on books, 6.5 percent for clothing, handbags and jewelry, 10 percent for shoes and watches, and so on. You pay 25 percent duty when you bring purchases back with you through the airport. Shoppers can't dodge paying duty, but they can and should make sure they pay only what's required.

For the best deal on package forwarding to Bermuda, partner with an expert.

More than 16,000 customers rely on Mailboxes U.S. Express, Bermuda's largest package forwarding service, to ensure inexpensive, speedy and reliable delivery of merchandise they purchase online or by telephone.

Save up to 80 percent over traditional couriers every time you ship, whether it's daily, weekly or even just once a year.