postage question - is it ever cheaper to split one big parcel into two smaller ones?

larochelleuk

I've just been caught out by PO sizing restrictions on parcels and it's really gutting, as it's a Christmas present and the last posting date for Australia is on Friday

I'm not sure whether it was because of the restrictions on parcel sizes for airmail (the measurement of the length, width and depth added together can be no more than 900 mm, with the longest side being no more than 600 mm), see also here)
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=298924&highlight=postage+overseas

... or because the weight is 2.2kg, just nudging over the 2kg limit, but they wanted £44 for postage to be there in time for Christmas!!

So at the moment it looks like I need to find another pressie for her

I think if I took it out of its box I could reduce the dimensions, but I'm wondering whether to bother reparceling it into 2 lighter items- i.e. I don't know how much of that £44 is just a fixed rate for going over the size and weight.

Does anyone have experience of this - could it be worth reparcelling it into two? It sounds illogical that that would be cheaper but then the PO seems pretty illogical these days

nightswimmer

larochelleuk wrote:

Does anyone have experience of this - could it be worth reparcelling it into two? It sounds illogical that that would be cheaper but then the PO seems pretty illogical these days

The limit for mail sent via Airmail as 'Small Packets' is 2kg. Because you were over this limit, they can not send the item as a 'Small Packet' and have to use a different method of delivery (I'm guessing Parcelforce Worldwide). This delivery method has a totally different fee structure and the two aren't connected, hence the big jump.

If you were to split your parcel, then in this case it would be cheaper as both parcels would be going at the 'Small Packets' rates. e.g.Two 1.1kg parcels would cost you a total of £22.06.

finallycruising

The same can be true when sending in the UK. The limit for 2nd Class is 1Kg, forcing you to use 1st Class or Parcel Post. If it's possibe to split the parcel and send as 2 under 1Kg packages, it can save a lot. This is particularly effective if it means the divided package qualifies as a large letter rather a packet. P.