How do I choose the right packaging for a courier parcel?

Many online shops, companies as well as individual customers use courier services. This is because courier shipments reach the addressee as quickly as possible – usually the next day after posting. In order for a courier to accept a parcel, it must be packed appropriately – according to the requirements of the specific carrier.

To find out what specific packaging requirements a particular courier company has, you should look at their website and check. However, the general rules are similar for most carriers.

Cardboard for shipping – how to pack parcels?

The most common way to pack courier parcels is to use shipping cartons, but not only that – often courier foil envelopes are also used – for smaller sized goods and those that will not be damaged in transit – this is usually the case for clothing. Packaging for the shipment of clothes are foil boxes. Primarily, however, boxes are used for shipping. However, these need to be matched in size and type to the goods being shipped. Some goods require special packaging – e.g. a special carton for shipping alcohol, a carton for shipping a laptop, packaging for shipping books (wrappers), cartons for shipping honey. Or even a carton for shipping a bicycle? For non-standard shipments, check what requirements a particular carrier has.

How to pack a parcel for shipment by Poczta Polska?

Many people still use the Polish Post Office. What requirements does this operator have? It depends on the type of parcel – as there are two options: an ordinary parcel and Pocztex, i.e. a postal courier service. In the case of an ordinary parcel, its minimum dimension is 9×14 cm, and the maximum: the length and circumference must be up to 300 cm (dimension A: length 60, width 50, height 30 cm, dimension B: at least one dimension is larger than in the case of dimension A, but the largest cannot exceed 150 cm). There are 5 sizes to choose from when shipping by Pocztex: S (9x40x65 cm – up to 20 kg), M (20x40x65 cm, up to 20 kg), L (42x40x65 cm, up to 20 kg), XL (60x60x70 cm, up to 20 kg) and 2XL (H+W+L <=250 cm, up to 30 kg).

Cut (postal) packaging is most commonly used.

How to pack a parcel for courier delivery?

Usually the parcel should be packed in a cardboard box for shipping, but quite often it can also be a courier foil envelope (foil pack). When it comes to cardboard boxes, you should use one that matches the contents and is durable and strong. If using a cardboard box that has already been used before, make sure that it is not damaged. The thickness of the corrugated cardboard used for the box should be matched to the weight of the parcel – the heavier, the thicker the cardboard. It is worth remembering that a parcel in a cardboard box cannot be taped or wrapped with stretch foil, as a parcel packed in this way is a non-standard parcel and is subject to additional charges.

However, there are times when you need to send something that will not fit in a cardboard box, such as the aforementioned bicycle. What then? It is a non-standard shipment, i.e. unsorted. It has an irregular shape (it is not cuboid), it is not packed in a cardboard box, it has an oval, cylindrical or round shape, it has protruding elements, it is wrapped in stretch foil, it is labelled “CAREFUL”/”GLASS”. A parcel that has not been packed in the carrier’s corporate envelope will also be considered such a parcel.

If the goods need to be protected, a parcel filler should be used, i.e. bubble wrap, polystyrene chips, paper filler, wrapping paper, wooden sawdust, special eco-friendly filler, etc.

Important! Do not join parcels together or wrap them in foil. Wrapped parcels cannot be sorted on the belt at the sorting plant – they need to be sorted manually and therefore the sender will be charged an additional transport fee. Most parcels wrapped in this way are lost and the others are returned to the sender.

In the RAJA shop you will find a wide range of courier parcel packaging, including cut boxes and all other types of cartons for shipping.