Posting parcels is easier when the preparation is done before you choose a service. A strong box, accurate measurements and a clear address help your parcel move through collection, sorting and delivery with fewer avoidable problems.
Whether you are sending a gift, a customer order or a personal item within Australia, use this checklist to prepare it for a courier booking. Sendaparcel compares courier delivery options; the collection and handling requirements depend on the service you choose.
Check the contents before packing
First, confirm that the item can travel with the selected courier and service. Batteries, liquids, aerosols, food and other restricted or dangerous goods can require special handling or may not be accepted. Do not assume that an everyday household product is automatically suitable for a standard parcel service.
Check the courier's current restrictions and the applicable Sendaparcel terms and conditions before booking. If acceptance is unclear, resolve it before handing the parcel over.
How to pack a parcel for delivery
Choose a sturdy outer box
Use a rigid carton in good condition that suits the contents. Replace boxes with weakened corners, damp patches or damaged seams. Reused packaging can be useful when it remains strong enough for another journey.
Allow space for protective cushioning, without leaving a large empty area for the contents to move around. A satchel should only be used for items suited to that packaging and the selected service.
Cushion, secure and seal the contents
Wrap separate items individually where needed, protect corners and fill gaps so the contents cannot move freely. Keep sharp edges from contacting the outer packaging. Seal the carton securely with suitable packing tape, including the main seams.
Packaging needs vary by item. Fragile or valuable goods may need specialist packaging, and a fragile sticker does not replace adequate protection or override a courier's exclusions.
Measure and weigh the finished parcel
Measure the outside length, width and height after sealing the box. Include any protruding packaging or bulges, and weigh the entire parcel with its contents, tape and cushioning.
Enter measurements for each packed box. If you are posting parcels of different sizes in one shipment, list the sizes separately instead of using an average. Our multiple-box guide explains this approach.
Accurate dimensions help the quote reflect the shipment you will actually hand over. For tips on comparing the resulting prices, read Cheap Parcel Delivery.
Write a complete delivery address
Use the recipient's name, business name where relevant, street address, unit or suite if applicable, suburb, state and postcode. Check that the suburb matches the postcode and include a useful contact number.
Keep access information concise and practical. A unit number belongs in the address details, while instructions such as reception access belong in the delivery notes. Check whether the selected service accepts the destination type before booking; do not assume a courier can deliver to a PO Box or parcel locker.
Print and attach every parcel label
After the booking is confirmed and labels are available, print the label for each parcel. Match the label to the correct box, especially when one consignment contains several items.
- Choose the paper layout that suits your printer.
- Keep the whole barcode visible and sharply printed.
- Attach the label to a flat surface, away from corners and openings.
- Remove or cover old delivery labels and unrelated barcodes.
- Avoid placing tape, folds or strapping across a barcode.
A 6 × 4-inch thermal printer needs a compatible one-label-per-page file. An A4 sheet containing several labels should not be treated as one small thermal page. Available layouts depend on the courier.
Get ready for courier collection
Keep the packed, labelled parcels ready at the confirmed pickup address. Make sure the collection contact knows where they are and can provide access. Follow the booked service's collection instructions rather than assuming every courier offers the same pickup arrangement.
A saved draft or a displayed quote is not the same as a confirmed courier booking. Check the booking confirmation and pickup details in your shipping dashboard.
Follow your parcel after handover
Keep the shipment reference and courier tracking number. You can use the dashboard to find the booking and review its tracking journey. New scans may take time to appear, and delivery estimates can change as the courier updates the shipment.
Ready to organise the delivery? Compare courier quotes, or follow the complete Send a Parcel guide for the booking steps.
Posting parcels: common questions
Can I reuse a cardboard box?
Yes, if it is strong, clean and suitable for the item and courier requirements. Remove old labels and replace weakened or damaged packaging.
Should I measure before or after packing?
After packing and sealing. The courier handles the whole parcel, so the quote needs the outside dimensions and total packed weight.
Do I need a separate label for each box?
Use every parcel label issued for the shipment and match each label to its intended box. Do not put one box's barcode on several different parcels.