A practical order of work: check the contents, pack, measure, choose a service and keep the handover evidence.
Check the contents before choosing a box
Start with the exact item you intend to send. A courier’s prohibited list answers whether it can travel; its compensation exclusions answer whether a particular loss or damage claim may be covered. Check both before spending money on packaging. Ordinary-looking items such as perfume or battery-powered equipment may need special treatment.
Make a short record of the contents, condition and value. If sending a sold item, keep the order record as well. You should be able to describe the object without using a vague phrase such as “miscellaneous goods”.
Pack for a journey, not a shelf
Choose an undamaged outer carton and enough internal protection to stop movement. Separate hard or fragile components and close the box securely with suitable packaging tape. Remove old address labels and routing barcodes from reused packaging.
A retail box may need an outer shipping carton. The packed parcel should be ready for normal handling before you measure it; otherwise the measurements you enter may no longer describe what the courier receives.
Measure, then compare the right things
Weigh the sealed parcel and record three outside dimensions in centimetres. Include the box, tape, cushioning and documents. Compare the particular service’s size and weight limits, handover options, restrictions and tracking features rather than choosing from a carrier name alone.
For example, a 1.8 kg item can become a 2.1 kg parcel after packaging. The 1.8 kg item weight is not the figure to enter. Our measurement tool helps record the final box without requesting an address.
Parcel measurement calculator
Use the outside dimensions of the sealed parcel. These results explain measurements; they do not confirm carrier eligibility or a shipping price.
Girth is twice the sum of the other two sides after identifying the longest side. Check the actual product’s rounding, restrictions and measurement method.
Prepare the label and handover
Before buying elsewhere, check whether the service requires a printer, offers a label at a specific shop, or expects the label to be attached before collection. Match every label to its own box. Keep barcodes flat and clear.
Use the booked handover method and retain the receipt or collection evidence. Keep the tracking reference until the recipient confirms arrival. A delivery estimate is not a reason to discard the paperwork early.
Questions worth clearing up
Can I weigh only the item?
No. The shipping figure should include the carton, tape, cushioning and other packing materials. If protection is added after measurement, weigh and measure again. The provider needs the parcel it will receive, not the unpacked retail item.
What should I check before visiting a drop-off point?
Check the selected service, location opening/access hours, parcel acceptance, cut-off and label-printing instructions. Keep the receipt after handover. A location shown on a map is not proof that it accepts every parcel or label type.
Primary sources & editorial review
Reviewed on 7 November 2026. Rules can change; check the specific product, destination and current official guidance before sending. This independent explanation is not a quote or a guarantee.
- Royal Mail — size and weight guide
- Royal Mail — how to weigh and measure a parcel
- DPD Online — packaging tips
- Evri — terms and conditions
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