Packing parcels correctly
How to ensure your parcels reach their recipients safely and intact

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The minimum preconditions to ensure that parcels do not get broken and consignments reach the recipients on time are appropriate inner packaging (padding), sturdy outer packaging and correct addressing/labelling with the desired delivery services.

Tips for sending items securely

  • Always match the packaging of your parcel to the contents.

  • When sending valuable or fragile content, pay particular attention to providing good packaging and padding for the goods.

  • The packaging must be large enough and cover the contents completely.

  • If re-using packaging that has already been used, remove all old barcodes and labelling elements.

  • Please wrap original packaging in wrapping paper so that the (potentially valuable) contents cannot be identified.

  • We also recommend repackaging the item if it needs to be returned, as this requires additional mailing labels on the packaging.

  • Original packaging with reflective, coloured or patterned surfaces may lead to problems in the automatic coding process and thus to delays.

  • Ensure that you seal containers securely (plastic buckets, paint tins, etc.)

  • Fit edge protection to exposed areas.

  • Important for business customers: for consignments that require additional processing, Swiss Post may impose a surcharge.

  • Swiss Post shall not be liable if the current design guidelines are not observed and the consignment cannot be processed due to these shortcomings.

  • Want to play it safe? Let our competence center (CC) check the packaging and address quality.

Standard parcels. Maximum size and weight. Length max. 250 cm. Height max. 60 cm. Width max. 60cm.

Standard parcels
Maximum size and weight

Standard parcels are rectangular. The surface must not be coloured, patterned or undulating and can only be slightly sloping (max. 5° from the base). With the sturdy PostPac cardboard packaging or the reusable Dispobox packaging made from durable plastic (for customers with a billing relationship), you have the right packaging for every situation. Both services are available in different sizes.

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Illustration bulky goods 10 and 30 kg

Bulky goods
What counts as bulky goods

  • Consignments over 100 cm in length or with 2 dimensions greater than 60 cm
  • Consignments with girth dimensions of max. 400 cm (2× height + 2× width + longest side)
  • Consignments posted with a special tag
  • Unpackaged consignments

Certain goods may not under any circumstances be handed to Swiss Post for transport without packaging due to the risk of injury, soiling, damage or loss. Such consignments must be fully packaged, e.g. in cardboard boxes, shipping boxes or suitable bags.

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An employee Disposition during manual processing.

Manual processing

Sometimes machine sorting is impossible even for consignments of standard dimensions. In this case, manual processing is required.

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A package properly sealed with adhesive tape.

Adhesive tape

Use adhesive tape to quickly and easily seal lighter parcels. Light-coloured, transparent and unprinted adhesive tapes are permitted. They make it easier to read the address correctly and help avoid delays. Please do not place adhesive tape (even if transparent) over barcodes or addresses.

Protecting the contents. To protect your goods properly, you should leave enough space for padding material.

Protecting the contents

To protect your goods properly, you should leave enough space for padding material:

  • When sending loose, fragile or sensitive goods or including several items in the same parcel, we recommend using padding or inner packaging that is at least 3 cm thick in order to protect the contents well.

  • You should also pack your parcel with sufficient padding when using Dispoboxes or your own reusable containers.

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