Please read these guidelines prior to booking your service.
These packing guidelines have been developed to assist our customers in preparing goods for safe transport and include tips and requirements for correct packing, weighing, measuring and labelling. Following these guidelines will minimise additional charges being incurred for freight even after it has travelled. If you are sending pallets through our network, please note pallets have additional requirements for safe transport and we recommend reading and following these guidelines when placing a booking.
Correct Labelling
Correct labelling is one of the most important steps in ensuring your goods arrive safely and without delay. You will need to attach the labels emailed to you (website) or available for download in the portal (members).
An individual label is needed for each item you are sending and include the delivery location, number of items travelling and other specific information relating to your booking. Without labels securely fastened to each of your items, you will most certainly encounter delays, lost items and even manual consignment note fees for labels that need to be prepared or reprinted for you.
Correct Labelling
Correct labelling is one of the most important steps in ensuring your goods arrive safely and without delay. You will need to attach the labels emailed to you (website) or available for download in the portal (members).
An individual label is needed for each item you are sending and include the delivery location, number of items travelling and other specific information relating to your booking. Without labels securely fastened to each of your items, you will most certainly encounter delays, lost items and even manual consignment note fees for labels that need to be prepared or reprinted for you.
If you are reusing cartons or other packaging, remember to remove all old labels and other barcodes. This helps to minimise goods being lost or returned to you.
All labels should be in good condition once secured to the package (ie: not creased or folded) so all information is clearly visible. Labels should be attached to a clean and dry surface to ensure they do not peel off whilst in transit.
Ensure the barcode and other details are clearly visible and that they are no smudges on the label once they come off the printer. Secure the labels to the packaging with strong clear
tape. Ideally the entire label should be covered with tape which will help to prevent damage to the label during transit and prevent ink from running during wet weather.
For any items a label is unable to be securely fastened, use a tie-on label. If you choose to do so, please remember that the tie must be durable ie: cable tie and that labels are as damage proof and waterproof as possible.
If any items require careful handling, it is a good idea to write ‘fragile’ on the packaging.
Packing Items
All items MUST be packaged for transport. Any items that are not packaged may be excluded from being collected, be subject to delay or return and you will likely be charged a futile collection fee by the carrier plus Freight Save’s administration fee.
Packaged items must be suitably packaged to withstand the rigors of transportation including multiple handling and a short drop. Suitable packaging includes items packed carefully into/onto strong and durable cartons or pallets with sufficient interior padding and protection to easily carry and support the item/s weight. If the item is not packed in its original packaging, it should be the same standard as the manufacturer’s.
Drivers and freight handlers have work and safety limitations. Items weighing over 25kgs must be packaged on a pallet or crate and be easily moved by forklift. It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure there is suitable lifting equipment available at both pickup and delivery addresses. If not, please ensure you choose the ‘tail lift’ option when booking or contact Freight Save for your options in this regard. It is advised to do this prior to booking your service.
Choosing the Correct Packing Type
Here are some tips to keep in mind when selecting the correct packing type for your item/s;
All packaging MUST be able to retain your items without tipping, rolling, sliding or leaking. Any spare room in the carton should be filled with packing materials including foam, air cushions/bubble wrap or scrunched paper to prevent items from moving around during handling and transportation.
When selecting the most appropriate packing type, consider the item/s weight, dimensions, and other properties. (This also includes the weight and dimensions of the pallet itself).
No part of any item should protrude from its packaging. Protruding items pose a safety risk to handlers as well as a risk of damaging other items during transit.
Select packaging that is strong and durable enough, especially if you are sending breakable items. Where possible, use the original carton your item/s came in as these were designed with the safe transportation of that item in mind.
Items with a combined weight of over 25kgs should be separated into multiple cartons if possible.
Travel cases and suitcases are able to be transported without additional packaging but will need to securely fastened and labelled properly.
Label on Cartons
Cartons should not be fixed together. On booking you will indicate the total number of items in your booking and you will be sent a label for each. Strapping cartons together presents a risk of the cartons becoming separated and no way in tracing its delivery location which is why a separate label needs to be placed on each individual carton in your booking.
It is important to remember not to overfill or overload cartons. In the case your carton is too full, separate your items into multiple cartons. Cartons should be secure and sealed at all times. Cartons that are overfull present a risk of opening during transportation and your item/s becoming lost or damaged.
When selecting the correct carton size, it is recommended to ensure there is a minimum of 5cm of padding around all sides of the item/s. This protects your item/s from moving around in the carton and becoming damaged in transit.
Strong and sturdy cartons are available to purchase online and from most self-storage sites and hardware stores.
Weighing & Measuring
Most freight is measured in centimetres and kilograms.
Courier companies charge by weight (kgs) and cubic volume (m3). It is important to accurately enter your item/s correct total package weight and dimensions at time of booking to avoid additional manual measurement fees once your package is collected or reaches the depot. If items exceed the specifications entered at time of booking, courier companies will re-weigh and/or re-measure items and charge you the difference in the balance calculated, so measure, measure, measure!
All packages should be measured with a measuring tape prior to making your booking to ensure you are charged for your correct size and weight and avoid additional fees for incorrectly measured freight.
If you are booking freight on behalf of someone else or do not have access to the packages, (although it is not recommended), it is better to overestimate the measurements rather than underestimate as additional fees relating to incorrectly measured freight can be significant. Please remember you as the Customer/sender are responsible for any additional fees that may be incurred.
Taking photographs of your packages prior to sending can be used as evidence to support your measurements in the event additional charges are applied. If you are taking photographs, it is recommended to hold a ruler or measuring tape so that dimensions can be clearly seen.
Small & Fragile Items
Avoid packing delicate and breakable items together with heavy or incompatible items
Small and/or delicate items should be well wrapped and packaged well clear from the sides of the carton or in separate cartons if possible.
Free space between breakable items and the sides of the box should be well packaged with suitable packing material such as packing foam or bubble wrap etc.
Remember to mark the outside of the carton/s to alert handlers your package requires careful handling. However, Freight Save does not offer transport for fragile items and carriers at their discretion may store, stack or transport items in their network in line with their own policies and processes under relevant transport codes.
For fragile, delicate and irreplaceable items, Freight Save recommends seeking the services of specialised fragile items handling courier services with insurance cover.
Sealing Your Package
When sealing your package, it is important to ensure that all items are sealed securely and strongly enough to remain closed for the entire journey and withstand multiple handlers along the way. Items not securely sealed or fastened pose of risk of becoming loose, damaged or even separated from other goods.
