What is the StarTrack Manual Handling Surcharge?

Do you use StarTrack to send parcels for your ecommerce business?

If so, you might be aware that a new Manual Handling Surcharge is being introduced from August 1 2022. There are specific criteria you'll need to become familiar with if you want to continue to send a parcel using the Road Express and Premium services and not incur the surcharge.

Even if you're not a regular user of the StarTrack service, it is still a good idea to familiarise yourself with the changes in the instance you need to utilise this courier service. Here's a complete breakdown of what you need to know.

The Manual Handling Surcharge Explained

A Manual Handling Surcharge of $14.00 exc. GST (AUD) will apply for items that don't meet the requirements of the service being used. For Road Express, these would be items that are not presented in a cardboard box or a pallet. For Premium, it is objects that cannot safely travel on the automatic sorting machines.

Requirements for Road Express

The minimum dimensions to send an item via Road Express is 5 cm, and the maximum dimensions are 117 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm. The maximum deadweight is 20 kgs. The Manual Handling Surcharge will incur also to the following objects:

• Items packaged in plastic, totes, jiffy bags, bubble wrap, envelopes and other non-rigid packaging that is not stackable
• Items packed in a drum, tube, cylinder or wooden crate
• Freight containing liquids, nails, magnets, or glass
• Sandbags
• Suitcases and eskies or similar
• Cartons with strapping
• Glass items
• Nuts or bolts packed loose in satchels
• Loose items or tools not packaged in a carton
• Plastic containers
• Freight that may damage or cause delay to other consignments

Requirements for Premium

To post a parcel using the Premium service, it must not exceed a length of 100 cm, a width of 60 cm, a height of 60 cm, and a dead weight of 22 kg. It can also not be a flat pack with a width of less than 5 cm or a cylinder tube that could roll off a conveyor belt. The Manual Handling Surcharge will incur also to the following objects:

• Sandbags
• Items wrapped in plastic except for StarTrack approved satchels and jiffy bags
• Suitcases
• Cartons with strapping over the label
• Liquids (not just drums)
• Nuts or bolts packed loose in satchels
• Cylinders (round in shape)
• Loose items or tools not packaged in a carton
• Wine, alcohol, glass
• Wooden crates

If the Manual Handling Surcharge applies, it will automatically be added to your quote. If you send some of the items mentioned before, the Manual Handling Surcharge will apply retrospectively via a surcharge invoice which will be raised at any point after collection and/or delivery.

It's also important to note that StarTrack will conduct audits on parcels. If you ship an item using the wrong service or it's found that it falls outside of the dimensions and you haven't paid the Manual Handling Surcharge, you will get invoiced the $14.00 exc. GST (AUD) and additional freight charges.

Why is StarTrack Introducing the Surcharge?

StarTrack, a division of Australia Post, has committed to investing in its infrastructure to improve its delivery network and make sending parcels easier and faster.

With ecommerce continuing to grow year on year, it's vital that StarTrack facilities can accommodate the demand and ensure that businesses are utilising the correct services when shipping packages.

How to Avoid Paying the Manual Handling Surcharge

The best strategy to avoid paying the StarTrack Manual Handling Surcharge is to ensure you choose the right service to send a parcel. Pay close attention to the dimensions and requirements for shipping packages through Road Express and Premium.

You should also take the time to measure all your packaging and weigh your parcels before sending them. If you previously used Road Express to send your satchels, then you will want to switch to Premium moving forward to avoid paying the Manual Handling Surcharge.

Other Alternatives to Paying the Manual Handling Surcharges

If you're an ecommerce business or logistics manager that's not interested in paying the Manual Handling Surcharge, then we've got you. One of the best things about using a multicarrier shipping solution is that you can access dozens of other courier services.

So if StarTrack is no longer a viable option for your business, then you can post a parcel using Aramex, Couriers Please, UPS, or one of the many other options available to you in the Interparcel Shipping Manager. Find out more about all of our courier partners on this page.