Frequently Asked Questions

If you are looking for information about how our service works, what we offer, you are in the right place. We prepared for you a selection of the most frequently asked questions divided into categories by query type.
General Questions Collapse all Expand All
Can I get any discounts?

If you open an account with Parcelspot, you receive a 2.5% discount on all your shipping costs (excluding surcharge payments) - amongst many other benefits. Simply pull the quotes while you're logged into your account.

Also, keep an eye on our Facebook page and our newsletters for ad hoc discount vouchers to use when ordering a courier.

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Why are your prices lower than the quotes I'm getting directly from the same courier companies?

We have agreements in place with our valued Courier Partners due to the high volumes that we clear. We then pass the lower rates to our valued Customers.

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Can I use your service to shop on an international e-commerce site?

Unfortunately we do not offer the import option at the moment and therefore cannot ship from overseas. If the international e-commerce site (or physical store) is located in South Africa, you can pay for your goods and choose the collect option and advise the shop that a courier will collect your items. Please get the following information from the merchant prior to booking the shipment:

1) weight and dimensions of the parcel(s). 2) contact name. 3) email address. 4) mobile number of the person handing over your parcel.

Please check in advance that the parcel doesn't exceed the maximum weight and dimensions. If the merchant refuses to hand over your items to the courier, you will be charged a collection fee - therefore it's always best to reach out to the merchant first before ordering a courier with Parcelspot.

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Do you have a full price list?

We recommend using our online quote form as this will always get you the most accurate shipping quotes. We have also compiled a rates schedule for the delivery costs within South Africa. Please request an up-to-date schedule from sales@parcelspot.com.

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Is your service a good fit for me?

Our service is designed for everyone – individuals, retailers and businesses. Most of our retail Customers are individuals who used to bring packages to the post office or a drop-off point. It's so easy to fill in the details and order on our website and then pay the shipping fee online - then all you need to do is prepare your parcel for shipment and give it to the courier driver who comes to the chosen collection address (typically the home or office address). You can learn more about our services here.

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Can I send a parcel with a Cash on Delivery (COD) option?

For technical and security reasons, we do not provide the COD option. However, if you need the receiver to pay for the shipment (or the sender if you are the receiver), you can select who pays when you fill in the order details. Note: You will need to be logged out of your Parcelspot account to see this option.

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How do I send a parcel?

Simply fill in the form on our home page or mobile app to pull a quote. Depending on your order requirements, services and quotations from our trusted courier partners will be offered to you.

Choose the quote / service that suits you best, create your order and pay online. The sender is either required to print 4 copies of the waybill (emailed by the system upon successful payment), or needs to label the parcel with a marker - check our emails to see what applies to your particular order.

A driver will collect the parcel at the specified collection address. You can then track your shipment via the online link emailed to you.

The package is then delivered to the destination address that you have entered into your order, as per the service that you have chosen.

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What is an outlying or regional area?

To understand this, we first need to understand the main centres. Main centres are areas that are located in close proximity to major airports. These are:

  • Bloemfontein
  • Cape Town
  • Durban
  • East London
  • George
  • Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
  • Johannesburg
  • Kimberley
  • Nelspruit
  • Pietermaritzburg
  • Polokwane
  • Tshwane (Pretoria)

Regional areas are locations that are more than 40km outside of the areas listed as Main Centres.

Outlying areas are locations that are far and seldom have deliveries. Due to the distance and the small volumes of parcels being delivered to these areas, they may only be serviced on certain days.

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Is the online quote price final, or do other costs apply?

Yes, all prices are final. Our smart algorithm calculates all the applicable surcharges and shows the final shipping prices. You pay the shipping fee in advance on our site - you don't pay anything to the driver.

The only instances where this may not apply, are as follows:

  • You under declare the weight and / or dimensions of your parcel (i.e. it's actually a lot heavier and bigger than claimed, pushing it into a higher price bracket).
  • When you enter incorrect locations and the actual location is higher in price than the one that was entered in your order.
  • A special request is made for a collection or delivery that falls outside of working days or hours.
  • When the location(s) is a mine, port or an harbour, a high risk or remote area, inside a shopping centre, on a farm or game farm, an online store, a government building or an embassy or consulate.

In such cases, Parcelspot will get in touch with you to rebill you for the difference. Please check the pop up box with the surcharges information for an idea of what the surcharges may be.

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Can I order shipping between two other countries (for example, from Germany to Italy)?

Direct shipping between two other countries will be available in the future. We only support global shipping from a South African collection address at this point in time.

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Will I get a delivery confirmation?

If you need a POD, you can get the proof of delivery by emailing us at info@parcelspot.com. Please include the shipping number in your request.

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Why is your service so cost effective?

We receive affordable rates from our valued Courier Partners, thanks to the high volumes of shipments that we realise and our contracts with them. We offer a portfolio of services for parcel transportation and pass these savings on to our valued Customers, giving them cheaper prices than if they’d gone directly to the same courier. Customers can choose a shipping provider based on price, estimated delivery date or speed of delivery, the ratings from other customers or according to personal preference. We also have a Customer Care team who takes care of shipments as if they were its own, leaving customers free to focus on more important things, saving them time and money as a result.

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Did you not find the answer to your question?

Please ask us using the following form. We will respond by e-mail and we will include the question here.