Choosing the right size option for your parcel will ensure there are no hiccups along the way. And we’ll show you how to do it!
This article has all the information you need to master the Sendle booking process, including: custom and common sizes and how to measure in both metric and imperial units.
Choosing the right size
Custom sizes
To make sure your Sendle booking is correct, you'll be prompted to choose your package type and enter your parcel's dimensions (we've popped a quick guide to measuring in either imperial or metric units further down this page). Just make sure you account for all the dimensions of your outer packaging as well, to avoid adjustment charges!
Heads up: you can change your preferred units of measurement (either metric or imperial) in your Sendle dashboard account settings. This will change the display of all measurements in custom and common sizes.
Maximum sizes for domestic parcels
- The longest side of any parcel cannot be bigger than 1.2m (or 47.2 inches)
- The largest volume for any parcel is 150L (or 9,153 cubic inches)
- The heaviest weight for any parcel is 30kg (or 66 lbs)
(More information about sizes for parcels being shipped to the U.S.)
If the item you’re sending is over-sized, the parcel gets returned back to the sender and Sendle will not be able to refund the original shipping cost.
For example (and from our experience), while prams and bikes aren’t prohibited, they are simply just too big to send with Sendle (this is also why we don't recommend using Sendle to move house)!
Common sizes
These sizes are handy if you know your items easily fit the maximum dimensions for each one. The sizes are: one satchel size and five box sizes – each size has both a weight and cubic volume limit, which includes the outer packaging. If you're sending over 20kg (or 44lbs), you'll need to enter a custom parcel size.
Keep in mind: for parcels booked as ‘Handbag’ size or larger and packaged in loose outer packaging (like a bag), then the ‘excess’ space around the parcel contents should be taped down to avoid any adjustment charges (as this excess space in larger packaging contributes to the parcel’s volume measurements).
Measuring in metric
Here are the current common Sendle size options:
- Satchel - up to 500g and 10L
- Handbag - up to 1kg and 15L
- Lunchbox - up to 2kg and 17.5L
- Shoebox - up to 3kg and 20L
- Briefcase - up to 5kg and 25L
- Carry-on - up to 10kg and 50L
- Check-in - up to 20kg and 100L
How to calculate volume:
Volume is calculated as a cube (like a box) in litres. Litres are calculated by multiplying the centimetre of the three dimensions in centimetres and dividing by one thousand (height X width X depth [all in cm] ➗ 1000).
Examples using weight and volume measurements
Parcel A
Weight: 1.5kg
Volume: 20L (10cm x 40cm x 50cm)
Correct size: Briefcase (5kg and 25L)
Even though the weight fits a smaller size (Shoebox 3kg and 15L), the volume is too large for this option (because it is 20L), so the correct size becomes ‘Briefcase’ – as it has a larger volume allowance.
Parcel B
Weight: 2.5kg
Volume: 2L (1cm x 40cm x 50cm)
Correct size: Shoebox (3kg and 15L)
Even though the volume fits a smaller size (Handbag 1kg and 4L) the weight is too heavy for this option (as it is 2.5kg), so the correct size is Shoebox with the heavier weight allowance.
Mailing tubes/cylinder-shaped parcels
Mailing tubes, or any parcel that is cylinder-shaped, are charged on the same basis as all Sendle parcels – that is, we need to consider both the weight (kg) and volume (L).
- To find the volume, we still want to treat it like we’re finding the volume of a box, only with diameters instead of width/height.
- For a tube/cylinder, this would be (length x diameter x diameter)/1000 = litres.
Here’s an example: a tube that is 100cm long, with a diameter of 12 cm is: (100x12x12cm)/ 1000 = 14.4L
Also, take note of how your label fits on the tube. It’s very important that the parcel can scan correctly, otherwise the courier may reject it at pick-up.
Measuring in imperial
Here are the current common Sendle size options (we’ve rounded the conversion from metric to the nearest decimal for this explanation):
- Satchel - up to 1.1 lb and 610 cubic inches
- Handbag - up to 2.2 lbs and 915 cubic inches
- Lunchbox - up to 4.4. lbs and 1068 cubic inches
- Shoebox - up to 6.6 lbs and 1220 cubic inches
- Briefcase - up to 11 lbs and 1,525 cubic inches
- Carry-on - up to 22 lbs and 3,051 cubic inches
- Check-in - up to 44 lbs and 6,102 cubic inches
How to manually calculate cubic volume:
Volume is calculated as a cube (like a box). We represent this volume in cubic inches, so it's super easy to figure out. Find your volume in cubic inches by just multiplying your box length by width by height in inches. Voila! Volume!
How to simply calculate your parcel volume:
Right in your 'Sending' dashboard, you'll see our sizing tool. Simply enter your box dimensions and weight to automatically get your correct parcel size. It'll even select it for you, or you can add it as a ‘custom size’.
Mailing tubes/cylinder-shaped parcels
Mailing tubes, or any parcel that is cylinder-shaped, are charged on the same basis as all Sendle parcels—that is, we need to consider both the weight (in pounds) and the volume (in cubic inches).
- To find the volume of a cylinder is a bit more complicated than your standard box. In equation form that looks like V=𝝅r2h. If that’s your thing, have at it.
- To make your life easier, use this handy calculator to find your cubic volume. In the calculator, you can simply enter your radius (half your diameter) and the cylinder height to get your cubic inch volume. Much nicer than whatever math lecture we would have put you through.
- Now, you've got your cylindrical volume in cubic inches. Great job!
If your parcel is over the selected size
If your parcel is found to be larger in either weight or volume (including outer packaging) once it goes through processing at the depot, an adjustment charge may be added to your invoice. We’ve put all the information about adjustment charges here.