The Do’s: Best Practices for Parcel Packing
✔ Use Courier-Approved Packaging Only
Choose sturdy high-quality materials like strong cardboard boxes with strong outer liners or courier-approved satchels. These packaging types are designed to survive sorting facilities and parcel transit without falling apart.
Avoid recycled or reused boxes as they may weaken the integrity of your parcel. Remember that items will get stacked in transit, therefore, your packaging may need to support the weight of other packages.
Always go with double-walled corrugated cardboard. It adds extra protection and reduces the risk of your parcel getting crushed in transit.
✔ Repack Retail or Gift Packaging for Transit
Retail or gift packages aren’t designed for courier handling. Always place gift boxes inside a sturdy outer box with cushioning around all sides.
✔ Match Your Box Size to Your Contents
Select packaging that closely matches the size and weight of your items, while still allowing at least 5 cm of space on all sides for cushioning materials. This buffer helps absorb impact and keeps the contents stable during transit.
Avoid underfilling boxes, as they can collapse under pressure, and don’t overfill, as this can cause the packaging to split open. Make sure items don’t touch the sides or each other, especially in multi-item shipments, to prevent damage and ensure everything arrives in one piece.
✔ Use Internal Cushioning
Protect your items by cushioning them properly inside the box. This is essential for small or fragile goods like electronics, glassware, or DVDs. Cushioning prevents movement and absorbs shock during transit.
Always leave space for cushioning, but avoid overpacking. Leave 5 cm between your product and the sides of the box. Your parcel should feel snug and secure, not crammed.
Bubble Wrap
Packing Peanuts
Air Pillows
Foam Inserts
Hex Wrap
✔ Use Triangular Boxes Instead of Cylinders
For items that tend to roll, such as posters, blueprints, or round items, use triangular cardboard tubes rather than cylindrical ones.
Triangular tubes are more stable during transport, reduce the risk of rolling, and are less prone to damage in automated handling systems.
✔ Attach Shipping Labels Correctly
Shipping labels must be printed clearly and affixed securely to the top surface of the parcel. Interparcel provides these labels on the checkout page, in your booking confirmation email, and within the My Orders section of your account.
Before dispatch:
- Remove any old or irrelevant labels to prevent misrouting
- Stick the label on a smooth, flat part of the parcel where it’s easy to see and won’t peel off or stick out.
- For multi-piece shipments, confirm each label corresponds to the correct box
- For international deliveries, ensure the commercial invoice is securely attached to the outside of the package for customs clearance, preferably in a clear documents pouch, and remember to include it in your parcel’s overall dimensions.
Incorrect labelling may result in parcels being separated, delayed, or incurring additional charges.
✔ Review the Restricted and Prohibited Items
Before sending your parcel, consult Interparcel’s list of Restricted and Prohibited Items.
The Don’ts: What to Avoid When Packing
✘ Do Not Use Unsuitable Packaging Materials
Avoid packaging types that are not designed for courier networks, as they offer inadequate protection and may be rejected during transit.
Parcels packed using these materials may incur additional handling fees, experience delays, or fail to be delivered successfully. The sender is responsible for any resulting charges or issues.
These include:
Plastic bags
Fabric or cloth items (backpacks, duffel bags...)
Plastic tubs or storage containers
Wooden crates
Bubble wrap or shrink wrap used as outer packaging
Suitcases
Golf Bags
Guitar Cases
✘ Do Not Use Inappropriate Sealing Materials
Only use strong, pressure-sensitive packaging tape intended for shipping. The following are not acceptable:
- Cellophane or masking tape
- Rope or string
- Plastic or textile straps
These materials do not provide adequate security and may cause parcels to open during transit, leading to loss or damage.
✘ Do Not Use Inappropriate Sealing Materials
While it is important to ensure parcels are securely sealed, avoid sealing them in a way that makes inspection impossible.
Customs and courier personnel must be able to open parcels for inspection without destroying the packaging. Use practical sealing methods that allow safe reopening and resealing if required.
✘ Do Not Rely Solely on Handling Labels
Handling instructions such as “Fragile”, “Handle with Care”, or “This Way Up” do not guarantee careful handling by couriers.
These labels are advisory only and do not replace the need for proper internal cushioning and robust external packaging. All parcels should be packed to withstand standard processing and automated sorting systems
Please note: These stickers may trigger a manual handling fee, as the parcel will require special care because it cannot go through the automated sorting systems.
Don't Let Shipping Become a Challenge.
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At Interparcel, we believe in keeping a personal connection in everything we do.
If you have any enquiries, our friendly customer support team is ready to help by phone, live chat, or email!
Reach Out to Customer ServiceFAQs
Can I send food or perishable items within Australia?
While food can be sent within Australia using specialised services, Interparcel does not ship perishable items or food. Because we provide commercial courier services without temperature-controlled transit, we cannot accept goods that require refrigeration, specific handling, or follow certain quarantine rules. Please check our Prohibited and Restricted Items list before booking to ensure your items are suitable for standard transport.
How do I pack fragile items for safe delivery?
Before sending, always check our Prohibited and Restricted Items list to make sure your item can be sent via Interparcel. If it is eligible, ensure you pack it securely by choosing the right box size and using a double-walled corrugated cardboard box.
- Internal Protection: Use 5 cm of cushioning so the item cannot move during transport. You can use the 'box-within-a-box' method for extra security.
- A Note on Labels: While you can stick 'Fragile' or 'Handle with Care' labels on the outside, do not rely on these alone as there is no guarantee of manual handling. Just be aware that these stickers may trigger a manual handling fee, as the parcel will require special care because it cannot go through the automated sorting systems.
Why should I use triangular boxes instead of cylinders?
Cylindrical tubes are prone to rolling on conveyor belts and usually require manual intervention, which leads to delays and extra surcharges. Triangular cardboard boxes are the preferred choice for posters or blueprints because they stay stationary on sorting equipment, ensuring a smoother and more cost-effective journey.
What happens if I use a suitcase or equipment case as packaging?
While couriers may transport items like suitcases, golf bags, or instrument cases, using them as the outer packaging will often trigger manual handling fees. Because these materials can slip on sorting belts or damage other parcels, they require special handling outside of the automated system. Furthermore, shipping labels often do not stick properly to these surfaces, which increases the risk of your parcel being lost. For the best rates and safest delivery, we always recommend placing these items inside a double-walled corrugated cardboard box. Please note that if you choose to send these items without a box, they will not be covered for damage, and you will be responsible for any additional surcharges.
Do I need to print my own shipping labels?
Yes. Once you book your shipment, your labels will be available in your Interparcel account and sent via email. You must print these and stick them securely to a flat, smooth surface on the top of your parcel. Clear, scannable labels are essential for ensuring your package is tracked accurately and delivered on time.
How do I provide accurate weight and dimensions?
To avoid misdeclaration fees, follow these steps after your parcel is packed and sealed:
- Measure in centimetres (cm) from the farthest points, including any bulging or loose packaging.
- Place one end of the parcel flat against a wall and measure from the wall to the farthest point.
- Round dimensions up to the next centimetre and weight up to the next 0.5 kg.
- Use a proper digital parcel scale; avoid bathroom scales as they are often inaccurate for lighter items.
How can I avoid manual handling or extra fees?
Manual handling fees are mostly applied due to the misdeclaration of weight and dimensions or poor packaging. To keep your costs low:
- Use a good quality box and avoid overfilling (which causes bulging) or underfilling (which causes collapse) to keep the box's original shape.
- Place irregular-shapped items in a regular-shaped box. Avoid 'Fragile' stickers unless absolutely necessary to prevent automatic surcharges.
- For satchels, declare the dimensions of the satchel with your goods inside, not the dimensions of the goods only, as the shape can shift during transit.
- Stick labels to a flat surface and remove all old barcodes from reused boxes to prevent misrouting.
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