Jersey Post explain new packing surcharge details

Monday, 19 May 2025 09:00

Did you know that you will have to pay a £5 packing surcharge to send any large parcels off the Island that aren’t packaged in a cardboard box?

Jersey Post have introduced the new charge from Monday, 12 May, after announcing it last month.

A few consumers contacted us to say that they were unsure exactly what parcels would be affected, so we asked Jersey Post for some more information to clarify the situation.

They told us they class a ‘large’ parcel as one between 2kg and 30kg. The surcharge will also be applied to parcels under 2kg that have dimensions of large parcels (girth plus width is over 900mm and up to 3 meters). You can calculate the girth by adding the four shortest sides together.

Free returns will not incur this surcharge.

The surcharge will apply to all large items packaged in suitcases, plastic bags or that are irregularly shaped. To avoid the charge, they must be packaged in a sturdy cardboard box. This is because poorly packaged items can’t be processed through automated sorting machines and instead must be processed manually.

Jersey Post is already being charged by their commercial partners for these items, since January 2023, with about 20% of their large parcels attracting surcharges from Parcelforce or Fedex.

Jersey Post said: “Packaging your items correctly in a sturdy cardboard box means that your parcel can go through the sorting machines smoothly and helps to avoid manual handling charges. It also protects your item from damage.

“We’ve been monitoring the number of surcharges that we’ve incurred for a while, and have already reduced parcel prices by an average of 18%. We want to continue to keep costs down for our customers, but we can’t do that if we’re incurring the surcharges. Ultimately, we want to help our customers to ensure efficient processing times and handling of larger parcels.’

A handy guide to packaging can be found at https://jerseypost.com/

Share

More from Latest News

  • Mobile phone bills: why it pays to compare before you commit

    Mobile phones are an essential part of everyday life for most Islanders, but many of us may be paying more than we need to for our monthly contracts. With a growing choice of providers and packages, the Jersey Consumer Council is reminding consumers that it’s worth taking the time to shop around and compare deals before signing up.

  • Pensioner asks: “Why can’t I have an accurate quarterly meter reading?”

    The Jersey Consumer Council is increasingly hearing from Islanders who are concerned about estimated energy bills and the problems they can cause if left unchecked. One recent case highlights why it is so important for consumers to understand how estimated bills work, and what steps can be taken to avoid unexpected costs in the future.

  • Do I need a TV licence? Take our quiz

    Whether you need a TV licence or not depends on what you watch... While that may be generally understood, the exact rules are often less clear, thanks to social media comments sharing incorrect information. So we thought we'd look at the TV licensing rules and how they apply in Jersey.

  • How banks are helping you stay safe from scam calls and fraud

    With criminals constantly coming up with new and more sophisticated ways to impersonate banks and trick us into parting with our money, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant.

  • Credit cards – is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

    After years of persistent campaigning from the Jersey Consumer Council, applying for a wider range of credit cards may soon be an option again for Islanders.

  • Have your say on Jersey's postal service

    What do you think of the Island's postal service? Jersey Post have delivered their annual customer survey to all households, and the deadline to have your say is Friday, 6 February.

Opinion Poll

The Jersey Consumer Council frequently asks Islanders to take part in polls on a range of topics.

Just tap on one of the options below to cast your vote and see what others think.

ⓘ What does the JCC do with this information?

Connect with the JCC