Different package sizes and shipping units
Below we have listed the different shipping units by size (from small to large):
Parcel services: parcel, package and collo
The smallest shipment possible, is the parcel service. If only one item needs to be send, it is covered by the term “parcel service”. When an object is wrapped a casing this is referred to as a package or “collo”. These two words have the same meaning. One collo is nothing more than an individual wrapped package. For example: if you want to send one parcel, regardless of its content, this is viewed as a package (or collo), but also other types of shelled packages such as canisters filled with liquid can be labeled as a collo.
Terms and conditions for parcel service
A parcel or package is only allowed to be dispatched as such if it meets the following requirements:
- The package weighs less than 30 kg
- The maximum length of the package is 170 cm
- The maximum width of the package is 70 cm
- The maximum height of the package is 70 cm
- The maximum belt scale of the package is 300 cm
The belt scale of an object is calculated as follows: “2x the width + 2x the height + 1x the length of the longest side of the package”. Note however, that a package cannot be 170 centimeters long and 70 centimeters wide and as well 70 centimeters high, since that exceeds the maximum belt scale. To still be regarded as a parcel or collo, the requirements of the maximum belt scale need to be met and therefore at least the length, the width or the height of the package needs to be smaller than the maximum allowed size.
Mission: cargo
When multiple packages need to be send to one delivery address, this is called “cargo” or “general cargo” and basically means multiple packages. By cargo carriers such as HST Groep, it is cheaper to send multiple packages that have to go to the same address as a cargo mission instead of sending these as individual packages like regular parcel services do. This is because in calculating the transport costs, the packed packages – or cargo missions – are regarded as one shipment and not as several items, which cuts the costs.
Terms and conditions for cargo missions
The conditions for sending cargos are the same as for the regular packages, the only difference is that these conditions apply for the entire cargo instead of one single package:
- The cargo weighs less than 30 kg
- The maximum length of the cargo is 200 cm
- The maximum belt scale of the cargo is 300 cm
- The cargo consists of up to 15 packages
The maximum number of packets per cargo shipment is 15 pieces. Shipments of 16 or more units (e.g. boxes or cans) will be divided into two cargo missions.
Oversized goods: bundles
Long objects that are not regarded as a regular packages or cargo because of their size are called oversized goods or “bundles”. An example of these goods are tubes and ladders.
Terms and conditions for oversized goods
- The bundle is at least to meters long
- The bundle is up to 6 meters long
- The bundle weighs less than 30 kg
Shipments heavier than 30 kilograms always need to be transported on a pallet.
Pallet transport
Packages over 30 kilograms always need be transported on a pallet, because carrying objects that are heavier than 30 kg is in violation of the Working Conditions Legislation. Also packages that are highly sensitive to damage are often transported on a pallet to protect the goods inside the package. In addition to the standardized pallet measurements of the Euro pallet (120 x 80 cm) and the block pallet (120 x 100 cm), HST Groep also provides transport with half-pallets (60 x 100 cm) and mini-pallets (60 x 50 cm). For small shipments over 30 kg, it can be financial advantageous to send the shipment on a small pallet, because the number of loading meters is considerably smaller compared to sending it with larger pallets: the number of loading meters is the number of linear meters of floor space in the truck, and determines among others the transport costs of the shipment. In many cases, it can even be cheaper to send multiple boxes under 30 kg with a mini-pallet instead of as a cargo mission or regular package. Read more on different pallet types and sizes of in our blogpost on pallets.
Terms and conditions for pallet transport
There are not many restrictions on pallet transport. The first thing that needs to be taken into account though is the maximum weight of a pallet, which is often around 1500 kg. The second thing is the centre of gravity of the pallet, compared to the ground service of the pallet
My object is longer than a pallet: now what?
Suppose you want to send an item that is heavier than 30 kg, longer than a pallet, but also way less broad than the pallet width. In such case, it seems like a waste of floor space and therefore transportation costs because the pallet uses more pace than actually needed, but because of the weight, a pallet is mandatory. For example: you want to transport a bar of 60 kg of 10 x 10 x 250 cm. Because of the weight, this would mean that you would need to use a (block) pallet, which has a width of 100 cm, though only 10 cm of that pallet’s width is used. This would make your shipment much larger, costing a lot more than it should be. In such event, there is often chosen to put the object – in this case the bar – on individual blocks, so that the hand pallet truck can still lift the object, and you don’t have to pay for more loading meters than necessary. For questions please contact us or request a free quote.