[PL] PKP shipment – what is it?

Nowadays, there are many methods of shipping goods. Contrary to what you might think, items sold online can be sent not only by standard courier, but also by PKP shipment. What does such courier shipping consist of and who can order it? How much does it cost? In this article you will find out how to send PKP courier shipments and how to prepare the goods for transport so that they are not damaged.

PKP transport – courier shipments. What does it involve?

Although PKP courier shipments, or in other words conductor transport, is no longer as popular as it once was, many people and businesses still use this form of shipping goods and documents. In this case, parcels are collected directly by the train manager or other authorised person. Nevertheless, it is the conductor who is responsible for getting the parcels safely to their destination and delivering them to the designated place.

There are several advantages to this solution. First and foremost, it allows the parcel to be delivered to the recipient even on the same day. Most transport companies in Poland do not guarantee same-day delivery, even within the same city. The other advantages of courier deliveries are:

maximum transport safety,
possibility to personally hand over the parcel into the hands of the conductor,
attractive freight prices.

It is also worth mentioning that conductor shipments can take the form of large-size parcels as well as letters with company documentation.

How to prepare a PKP parcel for rail transport?

Need more information on how to send a conductor consignment? Then use the guide below. In it, we’ll outline some tips to ensure that your PKP consignment is prepared as it should be and goes straight into the hands of the recipient. To send a PKP courier consignment, you will need to go to the customer service desk at the station with your previously prepared consignment.

In order for your PKP parcel to reach the recipient, you must address it correctly. The basic information needed to indicate on the consignment note is:

personal details of the addressee,
contact details,
the exact address or indication of the collection station.

Please note that on the PKP, courier shipments have predetermined maximum dimensions and weight. To find out how large a parcel can be sent by conductor transport, it is worth contacting the rail carrier directly. Most commonly, the maximum weight of a conductor parcel is 10-20 kg, while the dimensions on the largest side should not exceed 50 cm.

What cannot be sent in a PKP courier parcel?

In the regulations for PKP parcels, there are also indicated exclusions of items that absolutely cannot be sent by rail. These are primarily:

weapons and ammunition,
fireworks,
live animals,
identification documents,
valuables whose value exceeds the amount imposed by the carrier,
money and means of payment,
dangerous and toxic substances.

If there are unsatisfactory items inside the parcel and this is revealed, the conductor has the right to refuse to accept the parcel on board the train. It will then, unfortunately, be necessary to seek an alternative transport route, such as a courier service for unusual goods.

What materials are useful for packing conductor parcels?

The preparation of conductor parcels is not difficult, but you need the right operational materials for this. Depending on the dimensions of the goods, you may need cardboard boxes or cardboard envelopes, which can be made of environmentally friendly material. In envelopes, you will send company documents without any problems, while in larger boxes you will send goods sold in the online shop.

Other operating materials that can be useful when preparing your consignments are:

cardboard tubes,
foil envelopes,
cardboard boxes,
document boxes.

Of course, you must not forget packing tape, warning labels and parcel fillers such as bubble wrap. This is the basis for preparing your goods for safe transport – whether in the form of a PKP consignment or a standard parcel sent by courier.

PKP consignment – how much does it cost and how do I order a parcel to be transported?

In the case of the PKP company, courier shipments are not expensive. Standard fees do not exceed approx. 30 PLN for a single parcel, provided that the parcel is of a standard size and weight. It is worth adding that all services related to the possibility of handing over a parcel directly to the collection point at the station are always charged extra.

In summary: a PKP parcel is an interesting solution, especially when the goods must reach the recipient on the same day. If no delays or fortuitous events occur during the journey, the parcels are smoothly delivered to their destination even after a few hours, depending on the location.