Freight Parcels - The Economic Alternative
Large and Heavy items for delivery, that are low value, are one of the hardest types of parcels to arrange delivery for. Items such as flat pack furniture, mattresses, bicycles, etc. Too large to go on a normal parcel delivery service, and not valuable enough to justify a dedicated courier delivery. What do you do?
Freight Parcels can be the ideal delivery solution, particularly if the following apply;
- Your parcel exceeds the standard parcel delivery dimensions or weight.
- Your parcel is properly boxed and packaged, suitable for a network system & delivery hub (i.e no plastic bags, loose ends etc).
- Your business requires a solution that provides next day nationwide deliveries.
What is a Freight Parcel?
A freight parcel is a parcel which goes through the freight network rather than the standard parcel network. Freight parcels are either too large of too heavy for a standard parcel network. Standard Parcels are determined to be of a weight and size that one person can safely lift on their own, this means that one driver can collect, load and unload unaided at the depot and at the collection and delivery addresses.
Freight parcels operate using the same processes as standard parcels, but using a seperate sorting hub and network which is set up to handle far heavier and larger parcels. The delivery vans used will normally be the larger 7.5 tonne vehicles, most with taillifts. The loading and unloading at the sorting hub will be done with a minimum of two people, and the delivery vehicle will have a driver and drivers mate.
Freight parcels are just the same as normal parcels, just bigger, heavier and delivered on bigger vans.
How much does a Freight Parcel delivery cost?
Freight parcel delivery prices start at around £27 for a parcel that weighs up to 30kg, but as freight parcels cover up 99kg, each kilo between 30kg and 99kg is priced on a per/kilo basis at a few pence per kilo. These prices are for a next day, tracked delivery before 3pm.
How Big can a Freight Parcel Be?A Freight Parcel must fit within the following dimensions;
And weigh less than 99kg. As you can see, that is a very big parcel. To Book a Freight Parcel Phone Now. (Freight Parcels cannot be booked online - please phone) |
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What is the Small Print?
Freight services are designed for large bulky low value items, being sent in high volumes for minimal cost. The small print is therefore that generally insurance for Freight Parcels is either minimal or none. What freight parcel delivery offers you is the ability to ship very large and bulky parcels very cheaply. And the savings that you make on delivery are basically the costs of self insuring your goods in transit.
If you are considering using a freight parcel service for high value items, then it would be recommended that you talk to your Business Insurance Broker, who can add Shipping or Goods in Transit coverage onto your business insurance policy.
If you think that your deliveries are not best suited to a Freight Parcel, then the Courier Option is recommended service. With a dedicated courier you know that there is no network, no sorting hubs or conveyor belt processes. Your item is simply collected, driven and delivered. Get courier quotes for your delivery with Boxby.
Packaging
Packaging is always most important, good packaging makes the difference between sucessfull deliveries and unhappy customers. If you are using the Freight Parcel services, then you should always bear in mind that your packaging needs to be suitable for a conveyorable network service, the parcels will be loaded onto the pick up van, unloaded into the local depot, sorted, loaded onto HGV, sorted in the Main hub, loaded onto the delivery vehicle etc.
Your packaging should also reflect the fact that it should be able to withstand knocks and bashes from other items on the network. And because freight parcels can be that much larger and heavier you should anticipate that something as heavy as 99kg could be the next thing along on the conveyor belt.
If you think that item can't be packaged suitable for a freight Parcel delivery, then the Courier Services would be the recommended service. With a dedicated courier you know that there is no network, no sorting hubs or conveyor belt processes, in fact, frequently many of large, heavy and bulk items just aren't packaged, after all, it is difficult to box a quad bike.
