How does each carrier define a non-standard parcel?

Every carrier in our network has its own definition of a non-standard parcel, with its own thresholds and exceptions. The criteria below are what each operator actually applies at the first sorting hub - if your parcel matches one of them you'll be billed at the non-standard rate (or refused outright).

SEUR / DPD

A SEUR / DPD parcel is non-standard if it falls into any of four buckets:

1. Shape (not a rectangular cuboid, has protruding parts):
   • cylindrical, round or oval shapes (tubes, drums, fabric rolls);
   • palletised loads with irregular outlines;
   • parcels assembled from several separate items joined into one irregular whole;
   • tires correctly packed per SEUR/DPD's tire guide and parcels in the carrier's own branded packaging are exempt.
2. Packaging (e.g. tires packed incorrectly):
   • tires packed against the SEUR/DPD guidelines;
   • wrapped in any material that prevents the parcel sliding freely on the sorter;
   • plastic mailers (foliopaks) above 5 kg - including parcels in carrier-issued mailers.
3. Length:
   • domestic parcels with the longest side between 150 cm and 250 cm;
   • pallets with a base smaller than the standard Euro pallet.
4. Weight: parcels with actual weight between 31.5 kg and 50 kg.

FedEx

FedEx classifies a parcel as non-standard when it exceeds the standard size limits or meets any of the criteria below:

1. shifted centre of gravity, or the parcel can easily tip over;
2. not a rectangular cuboid, or has an irregular shape that prevents it sitting flat;
3. the longest side is not the base of the parcel as oriented by the shipping label;
4. made up of two or more separate items joined together (with stretch film, glue or tape);
5. cannot be sorted automatically because of size, irregular shape, fragile contents or strapping.

Adding warning stickers such as Do not throw or Handle with care can itself trigger a non-standard reclassification at FedEx. Tires correctly packed per the FedEx tire guide are exempt.

UPS

All cylindrical, round or oval parcels, anything with protruding parts, and any parcel made of several items joined into one irregular whole are non-standard. UPS additionally treats as non-standard:

• any parcel with actual weight above 25 kg;
• any parcel wrapped in stretch film;
• any parcel where the longest side exceeds 100 cm or the second-longest exceeds 76 cm.

Maximum dimensions for a non-standard UPS parcel: length + girth ≤ 330 cm. UPS Access Point drop-offs additionally enforce the AP-specific size and weight caps.

UPS also recognises a separate Large Package category: a parcel where length + girth (2 × width + 2 × height) is between 300 cm and 400 cm. Large packages carry a minimum billable weight of 40 kg. The large-package fee and the non-standard fee are mutually exclusive - if a parcel qualifies as both, only the large-package fee applies.

Correos / Correos Express

For parcels delivered to a home or business address, a parcel is non-standard if any of the following applies:

1. dimensions where 250 cm < (length + width + height) ≤ 300 cm and the longest side is between 120 cm and 150 cm;
2. dimensions where (length + width + height) ≤ 250 cm and the longest side does not exceed 150 cm, but the parcel also has:
   • an irregular shape (not packed in a rectangular cuboid);
   • elements protruding beyond its outline;
   • two or more separate items joined into one irregular whole (e.g. with stretch film or tape);
3. oval, round or cylindrical shape (tube, roll, fabric drum) - except tires packed per the official packing guide;
4. contains two tires packed per the official packing guide;
5. shipped in plastic mailers larger than the carrier's biggest mailer (55 cm × 45 cm).

Important: cylindrical parcels (rolls) are accepted up to a maximum of 20 cm diameter and 150 cm length.

For parcels delivered to a pickup point, the criteria are simpler:

1. irregular shape (not in a rectangular cuboid);
2. elements protruding beyond the outline;
3. two or more separate items joined into one irregular whole;
4. oval, round or cylindrical shape.

DHL

Parcels packed in a way that forces manual sortation, or parcels with sensitive contents. Goods with an irregular shape, packaging other than a rectangular cardboard box of 120 × 60 × 60 cm maximum, fragile or breakable items, items that must travel in a fixed orientation (e.g. upright), and any object generating a magnetic field are all classified as non-standard.

GLS

For GLS, a parcel is non-standard when it:

1. exceeds the maximum dimensions - actual weight above 30 kg, or volumetric weight above 140 litres;
2. has its longest side between 71 cm and 120 cm and the sum of all sides not exceeding 160 cm;
3. is packed in anything other than a plastic mailer or a rigid rectangular cardboard box;
4. has the shipping label stuck to a side that is not the largest face of the parcel;
5. has a sticky surface that prevents it sliding (rubber, stretch film, etc.);
6. contains loose, heavy items, or has an unevenly distributed load;
7. carries This way up or Non-standard warning stickers;
8. contains items that require special handling (no automatic sortation possible, or could damage other parcels);
9. contains liquids (drums, jerry cans, buckets, etc.).

Mondial Relay

Domestic parcels with one side over 120 cm or with the sum of dimensions (length + width + height) above 220 cm. Non-standard also applies to round, cylindrical or oval shapes, irregular outlines and parcels with protruding parts. Any packaging other than a rigid carton or a plastic mailer is treated as non-standard - the contents of a plastic mailer must not exceed 2 kg.