Package Acceptance Guidelines

a) Exterior Packaging

(i) Defect-Free Carton
A defect-free carton maintains the original rigidity of its corrugated sidewalls. The carton's corner seals and flaps must remain intact. Carton defects include punctures, tears, rips or corner damage, each of which reduces the carton's structural integrity.

(ii) Defect-Free Carton
Closure Masking or cellophane tapes will not supply the strength necessary to secure shipments travelling through Purolator's distribution system. The minimum acceptable tape is two inches wide for pressure-sensitive plastic tape. Water-activated or reinforced paper tape is not recommended. The use of string, rope, plastic straps or elastic bands on the outside of a shipment is prohibited, as is the use of gift wrap or brown postal paper on the exterior of any shipment.

(iii) Strength of Carton
The strength of the corrugated carton is a critical factor in a shipment’s ability to withstand the normal rigors of parcel handling and transportation. The carton's class stamp, printed on the bottom of the carton, designates the maximum allowable content weight and is shown as the last number at the bottom of the stamp. Cans and pails: Lid clips or lock rings must be used on all sizes of paint cans. Locking lids must be used on all sizes of pails.

 

(b) Interior Packaging

The contents of a shipment must be held firmly in place by the interior (internal) packaging system. Interior packaging must surround the product and prevent movement within the carton to protect contents from normal external forces such as the pressure exerted by the stacking of other shipments on top of it. Sufficient internal packaging is especially important for light, fragile shipments.

c) Size Limitations

Intra-Canada
Purolator Expre ss Shipments travelling via Purolator’s air network:
Max. length: 96 inches(244 centimetres)
Max. size: 144 inches (366 centimetres)
Purolator Ground Shipments and Purolator Expres s Shipments not travelling via Purolator’s air network:
Max. length: 120 inches (305 centimetres)
Max. size: 216 inches (549 centimetres)

Between Canada and U.S.
All Shipments:
Max. length: 72 inches (183 centimetres)
Max. size: 210 inches (533 centimetres)
Max. weight per piece: 150 lbs (68 kgs)
Max. weight per Shipment: 551 lbs (250 kgs)

Between Canada and Other International
All Shipments:
Max. length: 60 inches (152 centimetres)
Max. size: 144 inches (366 centimetres)
Max. weight per piece: 70 lbs (32 kgs)Max. weight per Shipment: 200 lbs (91 kgs)
Max. size is calculated as follows:length + 2 x height + 2 x width Please note: Special Handling Charges may apply (see “Special Handling”)

d) Unpackaged Goods

Unpackaged goods (i.e., goods that are not protected by a rigid shipping container such as a corrugated box, plastic tote, or wooden crate, etc.) are subject to Special Handling Charges and are only accepted for shipping once Purolator is satisfied that they do not pose any hazard to Purolator staff, equipment and/or other Shipments.

e) Proper Labelling

Each package or piece must display a Purolator, or Purolator approved, Bar Coded Parcel Identification Number (P.I.N.) and a properly secured and completed address label, as follows:

i) The address label(s) display(s) the shipper’s and receiver’s full address including postal code and phone number including area code (does not include post office box addresses). In addition to the above information, the Bill of Lading must contain:

• Customer account number
• Service option selected
• Billing instructions
• Number of pieces
• Weight of shipment
• Declared value (for Purolator liability purposes) optional
• Date and signature

ii) The address label must be securely fastened to the top of each package or piece. String or wire tags are not acceptable as they are prone to being pulled off. Improper labelling may result in the shipment being subsequently delayed or lost. It is strongly recommended that a duplicate label be attached to an inner flap of each package or piece.

 

iii) All previous delivery address labels and markings must be covered or removed.

iv) A shipment consisting of more than one package or piece must have each package or piece individually numbered. If a shipment consists of three pieces, for example, the packages would be marked as being 1 of 3, 2 of 3 and 3 of 3. This numbering of pieces is in addition to the requirement that each package or piece of the shipment displays a unique P.I.N. and full delivery address.

 

v) Orientation 'up" arrows must be located on either both sides or ends of each package containing liquids or fragile items.

 

vi) Liquid packs must be labelled "SPILLABLE". Glass or ceramic products must be labelled "GLASS".

 

Note: Rural route numbers (RR#s) are not acceptable in the Purolator distribution system unless the receiver's full phone number is clearly marked on all shipment packages or pieces and the Bill of Lading. For US and other international shipments that consist of more than one package or piece, the main Bill of Lading number must be clearly written on each additional package or piece (because such shipments are tracked by a single P.I.N. once outside of Canada).