A ULD is a cage used to transport large quantities of parcels. Find out how to pack, label and send parcels with a ULD.
Read transcript
Video: The Australia Post logo sits at the top of a red screen. A grey-haired man sits under the text, "eCommerce Jargon Busters: ULD." He makes a gripping gesture with his hand.
Audio: Man: ULD. It’s one of those cans of drink, isn’t it?
Video: The man reads from a card that has an Australia Post logo on the back. Later, the text he's reading is typed onto a red background.
Audio: Man: A ULD is a unit load device supplied by Australia Post to businesses, to help them process large deliveries. It's often called a cage, and it holds large quantities of parcels.
Video: The man fidgets with the card.
Audio: Man: I found out a ULD is not a can of drink.
Video: Before a red background a microphone hovers over a stool. An Australia Post card lies on the stool. Text reads, “eCommerce Jargon Busters. [Jah-gawn bust-uhz] noun + plural noun.”
The Australia Post logo appears just above the stool.
What is a ULD?
ULD stands for Unit Load Device. It’s a container used to safely transport large quantities of freight. A ULD is often called a “cage”. Australia Post customers use ULDs in their own facilities, loading them with parcels ready for collection.
How do you load a ULD?
Place heavier parcels on the bottom and lighter ones to the top of the ULD. Make sure the parcels are all fully contained within the ULD – not piled above the top. And use separate ULDs for Express Post and Parcel Post articles.
How do you label a ULD?
Use an Australia Post VISA label on the ULDs you’re sending: white for standard sending and yellow for Express Post.
Labels need to be put on two sides of the ULD.
You’ll need to fill in the required information on each label, including the destination, contents and gross weight.
Where do you get the labels for ULDs?
You can order the VISA labels from your lodgement point.
How do you know what your ULD responsibilities are?
There are some legal and safety requirements to follow for the safe assembly, use, storage and transport of ULDs. For example, it’s important to make sure they are stacked correctly and the product is always below the top of the ULD, evenly spaced and balanced, to eliminate damage to your freight while in transit.
Follow our Chain of Responsibility to make sure you’re sending ULDs correctly.
This article was originally published on 30 November 2023, and has been updated with new information.
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