In recent years, the courier service industry has grown considerably. If you're a small business in need of a dependable delivery service, a small parcel delivery courier could be exactly what you're looking for.

Packlink's shipping experts can tell you everything you need to know about small parcel delivery. Whether you're deciding which service to utilize, need transit times, or need to track cargo, we've got you covered.

To get you started, here are some basic parcel shipping essentials.

What is Small Parcel Delivery?

Small packages, sometimes known as parcels, are distinct from other sorts of shipping. Small package orders are picked up from your preferred pick-up or drop-off location, sorted, readied for transit, and (finally) ultimate delivery.

Individual small package shipments can be moved without help and are placed directly onto carrier vehicles alongside other parcel shipments, unlike freight shipping, which requires boxes to be arranged on pallets before being loaded onto the truck.

Freight Vs. Small Parcel Shipping

Freight shipping is often utilized for transporting big numbers of commodities to the same location. Freight shipments must be handled by distribution facilities that can handle thousands of kilograms of products, which means freight usually arrives in ports or huge warehouses.

Furthermore, because freight is transported by sea and train and goes through these massive facilities, freight shipments may experience unanticipated delays. Moreover, freight parcels are often stacked in pallets, making it difficult to prevent damage.

For all of these reasons, commercial shippers nearly exclusively use freight. Freight shipments are particularly suited for businesses throughout a supply chain that transfer thousands of components to an assembly facility at once.

Unless they ship very large items, residential and small or medium-sized retail shippers nearly always employ package shipping. These shippers are unlikely to move enough volume to make freight cheaper than parcel. They're more likely to ship to a number of different areas, necessitating more nimble servicing. In addition, their goods are usually closer to the end of the supply chain, putting extra pressure on them to arrive exactly on time.

There may be some areas of uncertainty. Depending on the cargo volume and destination, packages weighing more than 70 pounds but less than 150 pounds can travel either way. If you're transporting a large number of identical items to a single location, you might be able to load them on pallets and ship them via freight.

If you frequently send tiny LTL loads with freight, on the other hand, it might be time to consider parcel shipping alternatives, especially if your items are small.

Some shippers specialize in freight or parcel delivery. However, some of the greatest names in both areas, such as DHL and UPS, offer both sorts of services. It's vital to note that, while these businesses provide both freight and parcel services, they're usually run as different businesses with separate contracts.

How to Measure Parcel Size?

If you're estimating the weight of your item, the approximate recommendations below can help, but we recommend taking it to your local Post Office to get the exact weight. Here are things you should think about while determining the size of your parcel:

Definitions of Sizes

• Length is measured in inches, centimetres, or millimetres, and is usually the longest dimension.
• Height is measured in inches, centimetres, or millimetres, and is measured perpendicular to the length.
• The remaining side, perpendicular to the length, is the width.
• Girth is the distance around the thickest part of the remaining non-length sides.
• To calculate girth you need to multiply the height by two and width by two in the case of rectangular containers.
• Girth is the circumference of a cylinder for cylindrical packaging.

Consider the following points:

• If your package is unusually shaped, measure it as if it were in the tiniest box possible.
• If the courier discovers that the box weighs or measures more than originally stated, the courier may charge an additional fee to compensate for the extra expense, so make sure to double-check!
• Take a video of the parcel on the scale with your phone, indicating the weight, and use a ruler or measuring tape to indicate dimensions as a record of your measurements. If a carrier disagrees with your measurements, this information will be valuable.
• When measuring rolls, get length plus twice the diameter.

Parcel Sizes

Hundreds of thousands of shipments are sent every day in the United Kingdom alone, with numerous specialist couriers handling a wide range of odd parcel sizes.

However, senders fail to select the appropriate postage size for their message every now and then. At best, this raises the cost of delivery, and at worst, it results in a fee from the courier, who was expecting a tiny package but received something much larger instead.

Today, we'll figure out what parcel size is best for you.

• Letter Size: Greeting cards, personalized letters, postcards, and bills are all examples of letters.
• Large Letter Size: A4 documents, certificates, periodicals, CD or DVD cases, and certain large greeting cards.
• Small Parcel: Shoes, portable speakers.
• Medium Parcel: Gifts, laptops, mobile phones and other items that are medium to heavy or bulky.

Evri Parcel Size 

Evri lets you send packages weighing up to 15kg and measuring up to 120cm in length with a maximum parcel volume of 245cm. To calculate the volume of your parcel, but the two shortest dimensions together, multiply by two and then add the length. You can send your cargo via Evri if the result of the computation is equal to or less than 245cm.

Except for goods that fall into the Postable category, Evri parcels are measured by weight.

Evri Postable parcels can be up to 1kg in weight and have a maximum size of 35cm in length x 23cm wide x 3cm deep.

UPS Parcel Size Guide

UPS has established specific weight and size limits for all UPS shipping services for the packages you send. The restrictions listed below only apply to specific products. The total weight of your shipment and the total number of packages in your shipment are unlimited.

• Packages can weigh up to 70 kg.
• Packages can have a total length and girth of up to 400 cm.
• The length of a package can be up to 274 cm.
• A specific heavy-package label is required for packages weighing more than 31.5kg (25kg within the EU).
• Special price and dimensional weight computations are required for packages with a big size-to-weight ratio.

DPD Parcel Size Guide

DPD's package sizing is pretty straightforward. The maximum weight of a parcel is 31.5kg. The parcel's length and width cannot exceed 3 meters. Another restriction is that the parcel's length cannot exceed 1.75 meters. 

DPD advises that your packaging is strong enough to withstand delivery. They provide an extensive selection of high-quality cardboard boxes and all of the packaging supplies you'll need to keep your packages safe. Go to their website to learn more about DPD Local's parcel size requirements. Much more information regarding DPD's package size restrictions can be found in their shipping guide on their website.

What Kinds of Things Can I Send in Small Packages?

Anything that fits inside the required dimensions. Small parcels are usually the best option when mailing a book, a pair of shoes, or a cell phone. However, we recommend choosing medium or large parcel delivery options for larger parcels.

Start Your Small Parcel Delivery Today

Packlink's platform is easy to use and comprehend, and it will save you time and money, especially when sending valuable items. Start exploring courier services for small parcel shipments immediately to save time and money with your next delivery. To get prices from all major couriers and transportation providers, use our shipping calculator tool and enter the package's location, destination, weight, and dimensions.

Another fantastic Packlink feature is that you may choose to drop your box off at one of our many drop-off locations or have a courier pick it up from your house or business.