What affects the cost of courier delivery?

Sending parcels by courier is an increasingly popular form of sending parcels. E-commerce is an area that is constantly growing (e-commerce is gaining more and more followers). Online shop owners keep a close eye on the offers of individual couriers and choose the best one. Shoppers are confronted with the actual amounts for courier shipping. What do courier shipping prices depend on?

Factors that affect the cost of courier shipping

Most of the buyers or sellers need to discern the costs for the services of different couriers before they take any step. The price of shipping is made up of factors such as:

• the weight and dimensions of the parcel,
• the type of shipment,
• the carrier – if you are wondering how to send a parcel by parcel post, Polish Post Office or courier, refer to the dedicated websites of these carriers,
• distance from sender to recipient,
• the delivery time of the parcel,
• correct packaging of the parcel for shipment,
• additional services.

The parameters listed are something that the potential customer has influence over. There are also factors beyond his control.

Parcel dimensions

The basic data to be provided before pricing a courier parcel is the dimensions and weight of the parcel. Individual courier companies define weight ranges for pricing. They have appropriate formulas and conversion factors on the basis of which a potential customer can determine the expected price. Sometimes they even – using a clever automated online calculator – specify how to calculate the amount due for the carriage of the parcel.

If the parcel is of a large size and takes up a lot of space in transit, the delivery service will cost more. Such parcels are generally referred to as bulky shipments. In sorting centres, they are moved on characteristic pallets.

Another type of parcel is non-standard parcels – large, unusually shaped parcels that require constant transportation on pallets. Sorting centre employees and couriers treat them quite differently, with extreme care.

Date and place of courier delivery

The delivery date of a parcel can vary – everything is determined by the respective courier company. Itusually takes 1-2 working days to transport a parcel, but some people need parcels as soon as possible. The faster the service is to be delivered, the more it will cost. It is worth finding out about the offers of a particular courier company. Many of them allow express delivery – even so that the parcel is delivered on a selected (or the same) day, at a specified time. As you can guess, this is an additional service that requires further charges.

The place where the parcel is delivered also plays a not inconsiderable role in the final cost of the courier service. If the service is provided within Poland, the charges will be standard, at comparable prices. They may be higher only in a few cases – most often when the place of collection is located in a difficult-to-access region (e.g. mountains). The situation looks different when a courier company is to handle the delivery of a parcel abroad. You have to reckon with the fact that such a non-standard service costs a lot. How much does a non-standard (or standard) courier parcel cost? You can find all the information on the carriers’ websites. Remember though: overseas services are much more expensive than domestic ones.

Parcel insurance. How much does a courier parcel with insurance cost?

When sending a parcel, it is a good idea to pay attention to the type of insurance the courier company will surround the parcel with. Most couriers provide free insurance up to a certain amount – this means that it is automatically included in the cost of the courier parcel. Sometimes, however, there are expensive, valuable items in a parcel that need to be properly insured. Some courier companies offer very high additional insurance – even up to PLN 20,000. The possibility of insuring such a high amount is usually connected with cooperation between the courier company and some insurer.

Before you decide to buy parcel insurance, find out whether the item you are transporting is at all insurable with a particular courier company – it is worth reading the carrier’s terms and conditions beforehand.

Economy or express delivery

The mode of delivery also affects the final cost of the courier service. A normal economy shipment is the cheapest option, but delivery usually takes several working days. For impatient customers, there is a second option – express parcel. This can reach the recipient on the same or next day, even if the location is abroad (air freight helps).

Packaging of the parcel

The way in which a parcel is secured is of considerable importance. Only well-packed items are able to survive intact transportation. Courier companies often pay attention to how a parcel has been packed and secured. If the sender does not ensure adequate security, the courier may refuse to accept the package. Furthermore, if the goods in question have not been packed in a cardboard box (the preferred packaging) or need to be specially labelled (this mainly refers to warning labels for handling warnings, precautionary orders, information about the top and bottom of the parcel), the courier company will most likely charge additional fees. Such a parcel may become known as a non-standard parcel and requires special treatment – it cannot therefore be automatically sorted at the sorting office.

Duty and tax. How much does a courier parcel cost outside the EU?

Customs duties and taxes are also responsible for raising the final cost of a courier parcel. The necessity to pay these usually rests on the shoulders of the recipient of the parcel. Such amounts are paid only when the parcel reaches other countries, not belonging to the European Union. As a general rule, tax is payable if the value of the parcel exceeds EUR 22, and duty is payable on parcels worth more than EUR 150.

Anyone sending a parcel outside the European Union must be aware of the customs regulations of the country in which the parcel is to be delivered.

How do I pack a courier parcel correctly and safely?

Courier parcels are usually packed in cardboard boxes, bubble envelopes and foil packs. When choosing each package, it is important to pay attention to the material and quality of construction, size. Wondering how to pack courier parcels safely? Start by investing in packaging!

Cardboard boxes are made of corrugated cardboard – 3-layer, 5-layer or 7-layer. The empty spaces between the item to be put into the packaging and the edge of the cardboard should be filled with so-called parcel fillers. Thanks to them, the product will not change position or tip over during transport. They are one of the guarantees of the safety of a given consignment.

The most popular parcel fillers are:

• bubble wrap,
• foil or paper airbags – distinctive bags, filled with foamed air.
• polystyrene chips – made from foamed polystyrene ESP.

Smaller and lighter items (e.g. books, catalogues, documents) can be packed without any problems into a bubble envelope – additionally protected on the inside with shock-absorbing bubble foil. It is distinguished by its low weight, shock and impact resistance, strength and durability.

Good quality packaging for courier shipments – only at RAJA

The RAJA company stands out from other companies in the packaging industry. First of all, all the cardboard packaging and parcel fillers on offer are fully ecological and biodegradable. Customers can choose from cardboard boxes, envelopes and cardboard tubes. Some of the most popular packaging accessories from RAJA include:

• wrappingpaper,
• paper adhesive tapes,
• cardboard tags,
• cardboard protective corners.

As far as cardboard boxes are concerned, the most popular are flat cardboard boxes, long cardboard boxes, reinforced cardboard boxes, height-adjustable cardboard boxes and cardboard boxes with automatic bottoms. Satisfied customers praise these eco-friendly products for their sturdy, robust workmanship.

RAJA is constantly thinking about how to optimise fulfilment in e-commerce. It tries to ensure that all buyers are satisfied with the sales process. If necessary, it gives the opportunity to leave a comment or enquiry via an e-mail address, or a form on the website.