FAQ'S
1How do I pack my parcel?
Here are some tips on choosing the right packaging for your product:
1. Review relevant regulations and consider global compliance. If you are shipping overseas, familiarise yourself with regulations for the destination point. Non-compliance can result in product returns, shipment delays, and extra costs for inspections and/or repackaging.
2. Ask for customer handling, receiving, and inspection requirements. Shipping departments should be aware of typical packaging requirements, such as labelling specifications.
3. Consider the transportation mode. Each transport mode subjects shipments to different levels of environmental exposure, physical forces, and re-handling. Security and cargo liability regulations are usually mode-specific. If shrink-wrapped or banded shipments are opened for examination, cargo may be damaged later in transit.
4. Look at the product’s physical traits. To reduce cargo damage from transport, storage, and handling, determine susceptibility to water, sunlight, temperature, and physical stress such as compression, impact, vibration, and surface contact. Perishable, hazardous, and high-value products may require special packaging.
5. Know if the product is subject to inspection. Products are often inspected upon delivery for quality conformance and accurate ship count. When receiving more than one item, the end customer may prefer a bulk package that can be easily opened for inspection, then resealed for movement to the warehouse, factory floor, or store shelf.
6. Make use of durable packaging materials and ensure goods are stowed correctly for transit. Select quality boxes, that are rigid and in good condition (used boxes loose strength). Use proper sealing tape in an H pattern on top and bottom, and consider strapping heavier boxes. Too much padding reduces stacking strength. Avoid boxes that are too big for their contents, as they risk getting crushed.
7. Ensure to use good quality, non damaged Pallets. Everything must be attached to the pallet with strapping and/or wrapping to form a single, inseparable unit. Items must not exceed the dimensions of the pallet. Stacking in columns ensures maximum stacking strength. If the contents are rigid, you can use 'bricklayer style' for increased stability. A level top surface makes it strong, compact and stackable. Use strapping and/or stretch wrapping to hold items in place on the pallet. Wrapping should include the pallet itself. Non-stackable pallets will incur a surcharge. Pallets are stacked for transport, so labels need to be affixed to the side, not the top.
8. Reduce the packaging profile. Reducing the packaging profile can cut freight costs, since the greater of the actual mass or volumetric weight (volume displaced) is charged.
9. Build in visibility, label clearly. No matter how lean the supply chain, most products will be stored or handled multiple times. To increase visibility and chain of control, incorporate bar codes, waybill numbers, tracking numbers, delivery address details, number of pieces etc. on each piece been sent.
10. Consider reusable designs & be conscious of extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiatives. Reusable packaging can achieve lower total costs and improve sustainability. EPR reforms, which several governments have instituted, make manufacturers responsible for a product’s entire lifecycle. Some companies are including return packaging and incorporating reverse logistics with their products, so consumers can easily return items such as electronic devices for recycling, instead of discarding them.
11. Use eco-friendly materials. Choose sustainable packaging materials such as recycled corrugated cardboard and cornstarch-based packing peanuts.
1. Review relevant regulations and consider global compliance. If you are shipping overseas, familiarise yourself with regulations for the destination point. Non-compliance can result in product returns, shipment delays, and extra costs for inspections and/or repackaging.
2. Ask for customer handling, receiving, and inspection requirements. Shipping departments should be aware of typical packaging requirements, such as labelling specifications.
3. Consider the transportation mode. Each transport mode subjects shipments to different levels of environmental exposure, physical forces, and re-handling. Security and cargo liability regulations are usually mode-specific. If shrink-wrapped or banded shipments are opened for examination, cargo may be damaged later in transit.
4. Look at the product’s physical traits. To reduce cargo damage from transport, storage, and handling, determine susceptibility to water, sunlight, temperature, and physical stress such as compression, impact, vibration, and surface contact. Perishable, hazardous, and high-value products may require special packaging.
5. Know if the product is subject to inspection. Products are often inspected upon delivery for quality conformance and accurate ship count. When receiving more than one item, the end customer may prefer a bulk package that can be easily opened for inspection, then resealed for movement to the warehouse, factory floor, or store shelf.
6. Make use of durable packaging materials and ensure goods are stowed correctly for transit. Select quality boxes, that are rigid and in good condition (used boxes loose strength). Use proper sealing tape in an H pattern on top and bottom, and consider strapping heavier boxes. Too much padding reduces stacking strength. Avoid boxes that are too big for their contents, as they risk getting crushed.
7. Ensure to use good quality, non damaged Pallets. Everything must be attached to the pallet with strapping and/or wrapping to form a single, inseparable unit. Items must not exceed the dimensions of the pallet. Stacking in columns ensures maximum stacking strength. If the contents are rigid, you can use 'bricklayer style' for increased stability. A level top surface makes it strong, compact and stackable. Use strapping and/or stretch wrapping to hold items in place on the pallet. Wrapping should include the pallet itself. Non-stackable pallets will incur a surcharge. Pallets are stacked for transport, so labels need to be affixed to the side, not the top.
8. Reduce the packaging profile. Reducing the packaging profile can cut freight costs, since the greater of the actual mass or volumetric weight (volume displaced) is charged.
9. Build in visibility, label clearly. No matter how lean the supply chain, most products will be stored or handled multiple times. To increase visibility and chain of control, incorporate bar codes, waybill numbers, tracking numbers, delivery address details, number of pieces etc. on each piece been sent.
10. Consider reusable designs & be conscious of extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiatives. Reusable packaging can achieve lower total costs and improve sustainability. EPR reforms, which several governments have instituted, make manufacturers responsible for a product’s entire lifecycle. Some companies are including return packaging and incorporating reverse logistics with their products, so consumers can easily return items such as electronic devices for recycling, instead of discarding them.
11. Use eco-friendly materials. Choose sustainable packaging materials such as recycled corrugated cardboard and cornstarch-based packing peanuts.
2What are the limitations and restrictions?
Consideration must be given to the service type and final destination of the goods.
Domestic shipments:
Flammable and hazardous items cannot be lodged with the airlines, for example Aerosol cans, cigarette lighters etc. ~ Refer to the Restricted Goods List
When dispatching oversized items please check with our office to confirm the maximum height permissible for closed trucks / vehicles and possibly arrange a flat bed for your collection. Do you have loading facilities or does your pick up require a vehicle with a tailgate / crane?
International Shipments:
Express courier: Maximum weight per piece = 30kg, not exceeding 120 (l) x 110 (w) x 70 (h) cm.
Economy Express courier:
Minimum total weight of 20kg.
Unpalletized goods cannot collectively exceed 70kg / 180 (l) x 120 (w) x 150 (h) cm.
Palletized goods cannot exceed 500kg in weight.
Note: Refer to the Restricted Goods List for hazardous cargo – domestic & international.
Domestic shipments:
Flammable and hazardous items cannot be lodged with the airlines, for example Aerosol cans, cigarette lighters etc. ~ Refer to the Restricted Goods List
When dispatching oversized items please check with our office to confirm the maximum height permissible for closed trucks / vehicles and possibly arrange a flat bed for your collection. Do you have loading facilities or does your pick up require a vehicle with a tailgate / crane?
International Shipments:
Express courier: Maximum weight per piece = 30kg, not exceeding 120 (l) x 110 (w) x 70 (h) cm.
Economy Express courier:
Minimum total weight of 20kg.
Unpalletized goods cannot collectively exceed 70kg / 180 (l) x 120 (w) x 150 (h) cm.
Palletized goods cannot exceed 500kg in weight.
Note: Refer to the Restricted Goods List for hazardous cargo – domestic & international.
3How do I track my parcel?
Log on to the Courier Dynamix webpage and enter your waybill number into the Quick Track option. www.courierdynamix.co.za (Currently under construction)
Alternatively email or call our office if you don’t have the waybill number
logistics@courierdynamix.co.za
Nationwide Tel: 086 110 5859
Intl. Tel: +27 (0)21 874 1025
Alternatively email or call our office if you don’t have the waybill number
logistics@courierdynamix.co.za
Nationwide Tel: 086 110 5859
Intl. Tel: +27 (0)21 874 1025
4Why is my shipment delayed?
Shipments can be delayed for various reasons and these variable are often beyond our control.
Shipments could be bumped by the airlines due to capacity issues, a flight may experience technical difficulty, poor weather conditions may influence infrastructure capabilities, heavy traffic congestion etc.
Perhaps the sender has not endorsed the waybill with the full / correct delivery details and the shipment has been assigned to the Problem Parcels division for resolution.
Your shipment may have been stopped by Customs, either due to inadequate or incorrect paperwork, Customs inspection, Port Health inspection, State Vet inspection, non compliance with Customs / Country regulations.
Please call our office immediately and log an enquiry should you suspect your shipment has been delayed and a full report will be provided on the nature of the delay and an expected delivery time.
Shipments could be bumped by the airlines due to capacity issues, a flight may experience technical difficulty, poor weather conditions may influence infrastructure capabilities, heavy traffic congestion etc.
Perhaps the sender has not endorsed the waybill with the full / correct delivery details and the shipment has been assigned to the Problem Parcels division for resolution.
Your shipment may have been stopped by Customs, either due to inadequate or incorrect paperwork, Customs inspection, Port Health inspection, State Vet inspection, non compliance with Customs / Country regulations.
Please call our office immediately and log an enquiry should you suspect your shipment has been delayed and a full report will be provided on the nature of the delay and an expected delivery time.
5Calculating volumetric weight
Volumetric Factor Per Service:
6000 - International Airfreight
5000 - Domestic Express, International Express & Economy Express
4000 - Domestic Roadfreight, Next Day Economy Express
2000 / 3000 - Cross Border Cargo
6What is a waybill?
On collection the driver will supply the shipper / consignor a document (waybill), providing details and instructions for the delivery of the goods. It is important that the information captured on the waybill is accurate to ensure proper delivery as required.
It contains all the information required for dispatch, the standard Conditions of Carriage and Proof of Delivery.
Information to be completed for dispatch:
~ collection address, contact person & telephone number(s)
~ delivery address, contact person / department & telephone number(s)
~ service
~ special instructions
~ insurance requests etc.
The shipper should retain one copy of the waybill for their records. The bar coded number serves as the tracking number. By signing a waybill the sender is concluding a contract with Courier Dynamix / party nominated by Courier Dynamix and warrants his/her authority to enter into this contract.
It contains all the information required for dispatch, the standard Conditions of Carriage and Proof of Delivery.
Information to be completed for dispatch:
~ collection address, contact person & telephone number(s)
~ delivery address, contact person / department & telephone number(s)
~ service
~ special instructions
~ insurance requests etc.
The shipper should retain one copy of the waybill for their records. The bar coded number serves as the tracking number. By signing a waybill the sender is concluding a contract with Courier Dynamix / party nominated by Courier Dynamix and warrants his/her authority to enter into this contract.
7Restricted Goods
Refer to the Restricted Goods List for hazardous cargo – domestic & international.