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Wondering what a shipping label is and why it matters? Even the best-packed parcel can be delayed or lost if the shipping label is incorrect. In Australia, misprints and unclear labels are a common cause of delivery issues — leading to delays, lost freight, and unhappy customers.
This guide explains what a shipping label is, why it matters, and how to get it right every time.
Generate labels instantly with Couriers & Freight. Compare carriers, print compliant labels, and track every parcel from one easy dashboard.
Get a Quote NowA shipping label is a document fixed to a parcel that shows key details needed for tracking and delivery. It usually includes the sender and recipient addresses, service level, carrier name, and a barcode or QR code for real-time scanning.
In Australia, labels are standard across carriers such as Australia Post, FedEx, and UPS. Accurate labels speed up parcel handling, reduce errors, and improve delivery transparency.
Shipping labels provide essential data for fast, accurate sorting and scanning. They reduce errors, speed up processing, and help parcels reach the right destination.
For couriers, a properly formatted label ensures parcels are scanned and delivered on time. For businesses, correct labelling prevents delays, extra costs, and customer complaints.
A simple mistake, such as entering the wrong suburb or postcode, can lead to days of delays, misdelivery, or returns, often resulting in refunds and lost trust.
Domestic and international carriers, including Australia Post, FedEx, DHL, and USPS, use barcoded labels that integrate with their tracking systems for real-time updates and proof of delivery.
A shipping label contains all the key details needed to get a parcel to the right place without delays.
Here are the main components of a standard Australian shipping label:
Carriers such as Couriers & Freight, Australia Post, FedEx, and USPS may format labels differently. For international parcels, extra details like customs declarations are often required. Always follow the carrier’s specific guidelines to avoid delays.*
Below is an example of a standard Australian shipping label. While the exact layout may differ slightly between carriers like Australia Post or FedEx, most labels include the same essential details.
FROM
John’s Coffee Supplies
123 Bean Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
TO
Café Bloom
45 Roast Road, Brisbane QLD 4000
Carrier
Couriers & Freight – Express
Tracking number
CF123456789AU
Barcode
[Barcode Image or Scan Line]
Delivery notes
Leave at front door if unattended
This example is for illustration only. Actual formats vary by courier and may include extra fields such as customs information for international parcels. Always use the official template provided by your carrier or platform.
Making a shipping label is straightforward. Follow these steps to get it done quickly and correctly:
Select a provider that fits your destination and timeframe. Use Australia Post for local parcels; choose FedEx, UPS, or DHL for international shipping.
Provide accurate size, weight, and address details for both sender and recipient. Errors here can lead to delays or failed deliveries.
Choose a service that suits your budget and timeline, such as Express, Standard, or Economy.
Create the label using your courier’s system or a platform like Couriers & Freight. Use a thermal printer for the clearest barcodes, or a standard printer with waterproof label sleeves.
Couriers & Freight streamlines label creation with a single dashboard that supports Australia Post, TNT, UPS, and more.
The platform generates compliant labels, supports bulk printing, and integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce tools. You can manage all shipments from one dashboard, track parcels in real time, and cut down on errors and delays.
Whether you manage daily shipments or seasonal peaks, our platform simplifies label generation, printing, tracking, and carrier compliance.
Correct shipping labels are critical for delivery speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
With Couriers & Freight, your business can generate labels, track freight, and manage all shipments from a single platform — cutting down errors and speeding up fulfilment.
Generate labels instantly with Couriers & Freight. Compare carriers, print compliant labels, and track every parcel from one easy dashboard.
Get a Quote Now
MHP
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$14
$15.50
$0
$15.50
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
MHP Large Item
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$62
$62
$60.10
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
Residential Pickup
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Reidential pick up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential pick up 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
$0
$9
$158.87
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery up to 29kgs
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9.00
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Residential Delivery up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
--
$9
$158.57
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Tail Lift Pick up 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Dead weight over 32KGS carton freight
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$70
$70
$70
$14.75
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.20 - 1.54
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5.40
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.55 - 1.85
No Surcharge*
$17
$20
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.86 - 2.20
No Surcharge*
$37
$40
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Pallet Surcharge
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Hand Unload Fee Carton
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$70
$70
$70
$47
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Western Australia Regional Surcharge
No Surcharge*
%10
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
*Surcharges may apply to areas/deimensions not listed
**Prices correct of 16th September 2024
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