How to measure parcel size and weight

At Trunk, we’ve made the buying and shipping process as smooth as we can – but to make that possible, there’s a little extra work to be done up front.

As part of listing an item for sale, you’ll need to pack, weigh and measure it. The upside? Your buyers will instantly know how much it’ll cost to have your item shipped to them, helping them decide on the spot whether they should buy or not.

Here’s how to go about measuring the weight and size for your listed item:

1. Pack your item
When you’re listing your item or bundle, pack it into an appropriately sized parcel that you can use to weigh and measure.

2. Weigh your parcel
Use a digital kitchen or luggage scale to get an accurate weight for your package. Round up to the nearest 100g to avoid accidentally underquoting for shipping.

3. Measure your parcel dimensions
Use a tape measure to record the parcel’s length, width and height. When in doubt, round up to the nearest centimeter.

Why accuracy matters

It’s good to be as accurate as possible with your weighing and measuring, since there are real problems with overestimating or underestimating your weights or dimensions.

Underestimating

If a parcel’s dimensions or weight are substantially underestimated, Australia Post could end up charging more than the original estimate – and that extra cost will be deducted from the seller’s income for the sale.

Overestimating

When a buyer goes to buy your item, they’ll be looking at a heftier shipping fee than they should be, which might put them off finalising their purchase.