NZ Post Parcel Sizes and Prices: 2025 Complete Guide

You’ve got something to send, and suddenly you’re faced with a grid of bag sizes, ticket prices, and weight limits that all look similar but cost differently. This guide breaks down every NZ Post parcel option — from the $8.40 XS bag to the 25 kg large parcel limit — so you can pick the cheapest option that actually fits what you’re mailing.

Smallest NZ Post bag price: $8.40 ·
Medium bag price (M): $11.80 ·
Maximum parcel weight: 25 kg ·
Maximum length: 1.5 m ·
XL bag price: $18.00

How much does it cost to send a 5kg parcel in NZ?

Sending a 5 kg parcel domestically in New Zealand costs between $11.80 and $18.00 using a pre-paid NZ Post bag, depending on which bag fits your item. The M bag ($11.80, 325mm × 255mm) and L bag ($12.80, 380mm × 280mm) are the typical choices for 5 kg items, though the weight limit on all single bags is 3 kg per the NZ Post Single Bag Range. For items over 3 kg, you need a ticket for your own packaging — the L ticket costs $11.80 Courier and supports up to 3 kg weight. For a full 5 kg parcel, you must use NZ Post’s large parcel service, which starts from $16.00 (XL ticket tier) but scales with weight up to 25 kg under their Sending Standards.

How much does it cost to send a 20 kg parcel?

A 20 kg parcel falls within NZ Post’s large parcel range (max 25 kg). Pricing for large parcels isn’t flat-rate — it depends on the cubic volume (length × width × height) and the actual weight. The maximum volume is 0.125 m³ and maximum length is 1.5 m per the NZ Post Sending Standards. To get the exact price, you must use the NZ Post Rate Finder — enter dimensions and weight, and it returns the Courier or Economy cost. As a ballpark, a 20 kg parcel (assuming 0.06 m³ volume) would likely cost $25–$45 domestically, but the only reliable number comes from the tool.

The implication: for parcels over 3 kg, the single-bag flat-rate model ends, and you’re in volumetric pricing territory. A dense 20 kg box that’s small (say 40cm x 40cm x 40cm) will cost less than a lighter but bulkier 20 kg item.

What is the NZ Post parcel rates calculator?

The NZ Post Rate Finder tool is an online tool on the official NZ Post website. You enter the sender and recipient postcodes, the weight (in kg), and the dimensions (length × width × height in cm). It then displays both Courier (tracked, faster) and Economy (untracked, slower) prices. The tool covers domestic sending only and pulls live rates from NZ Post’s systems. For bagged items, you can select the bag size rather than dimensions. The Rate Finder is the only authoritative source for exact pricing on non-bag parcels.

The pattern: for small, lightweight items under 3 kg, pre-paid bags are cheapest. For anything over 3 kg or odd-shaped, tickets on your own packaging (or large parcel service) are necessary, but the cost is variable. Always check the Rate Finder before committing to packaging.

What sizes of post bags does NZ Post offer?

NZ Post offers seven pre-paid bag sizes in the Single Bag Range, each with a Courier price (tracked, signature option) and an Economy price (untracked). The bag itself is included in the price, and you can also buy the bag only (RRP $1–$2) to use later with a separate ticket. Below is the full bag lineup from the NZ Post Single Bag Range.

Seven sizes, one pattern: prices rise linearly with bag area, except the Bubble variants which add $1–$2 for cushioning.

All bags have a weight limit of 3 kg per the NZ Post Single Bag Range. The Bubble variants (S Bubble and L Bubble) include a protective air-bubble lining for fragile items. Signature on delivery adds $3.00 to Courier prices. Rural delivery surcharge of $5.70 applies to tickets (own packaging) sent to rural addresses.

How much is a small NZ Post bag?

The smallest NZ Post bag is the XS at $8.40 Courier ($6.40 Economy). Dimensions are 240mm × 130mm — roughly the size of a standard envelope but rigid. It fits a phone, a small book, a few sheets of documents, or a small accessory. For slightly larger small items, the S bag ($9.70 Courier, 280mm × 190mm) fits a paperback or a tablet. The S Bubble variant adds $1 for the bubble lining. These are the cheapest domestic courier options available from NZ Post.

Single Bag Range overview

The Single Bag Range is NZ Post’s pre-paid, satchel-style bag system for domestic sending. You buy the bag (including postage) at any NZ Post outlet or order online, pack your item, seal it, and drop it in a post box or at a post shop. No weighing or measuring needed — as long as the item fits comfortably and is under 3 kg, the price is fixed. The range covers seven sizes, three of which are also available as Bubble bags for fragile items. For heavier or larger items, NZ Post offers tickets for your own packaging (see next section).

The catch: the bag price is unbeatable for items under 3 kg that physically fit — you’d struggle to send a 500g book via any other courier for under $9.70. But once the item exceeds 3 kg or won’t fit the XL bag (440mm × 400mm), you’re forced into the large parcel service, which isn’t flat-rate.

What is the maximum size for NZ Post parcels?

For standard NZ Post parcels (non-bag), the maximum dimensions are defined by the NZ Post Sending Standards. The delivery network can handle parcels up to 25 kg in weight, 1.5 m in length, and 0.125 m³ in volume (calculated as height × length × thickness). These apply to all Courier and Economy services, not just business customers — so if you’re sending a large item as an individual, these limits still apply. Items exceeding these dimensions must use NZ Post’s freight service (not covered in this guide).

Three limits, one pattern: the volume constraint (0.125 m³) is often the tightest — a 1.5m-long fishing rod that’s only 10cm thick is fine, but a 1m × 0.5m × 0.3m box exceeds the volume limit even though each dimension is under the max.

What is the maximum size for NZ Post courier?

The Courier service (tracked, faster) uses the same size limits as Economy: 25 kg weight, 1.5 m length, 0.125 m³ volume. There is no separate “Courier-only” max size — the NZ Post Sending Standards apply uniformly. However, Courier Packs (flat-rate cardboard boxes for business customers) have a 25 kg weight limit, and contents must not extend beyond the pack’s edges. If your item is oversized for a Courier Pack, you must use the large parcel service with a ticket.

Weight, size, and value restrictions on You Shop parcels

NZ Post’s You Shop service (for personal international shopping) has different limits: maximum weight 25 kg, maximum combined dimensions (length + width + height) 2 m, and maximum value $1,000 NZD per shipment. These are separate from domestic limits but follow similar logic. For standard domestic sending, the 0.125 m³ volume limit is the critical constraint for large boxes.

How big is a 5 box NZ Post?

NZ Post offers a range of cardboard boxes (Courier Packs) for business and personal use. The “5 box” is one size in the range, but its exact internal dimensions are not published on the public-facing NZ Post site — unlike the bags, which have precise mm measurements. What is known: the 5 box is designed for items up to 5 kg in weight, and its external dimensions are roughly 400mm × 300mm × 150mm (estimated from typical courier box ranges). For exact dimensions, you need to visit an NZ Post outlet or check the NZ Post boxes page.

How big is a 20kg parcel?

A 20 kg parcel is a large, heavy item — think a large suitcase full of books, a small appliance, or a box of tools. At maximum dimensions, it could be up to 1.5 m long × 0.3 m wide × 0.3 m thick (volume 0.135 m³ — just over the limit, so it must fit within 0.125 m³). In practical terms, a 20 kg parcel is roughly the size of a medium moving box (50cm × 40cm × 40cm = 0.08 m³) but packed dense. The NZ Post Sending Standards require that the parcel not exceed 25 kg, so 20 kg is within range, but you must pay the volumetric rate, not a flat fee.

NZ Post box range

NZ Post’s box range includes sizes designed for specific weight tiers: typically 1 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, and 25 kg boxes. The 5 box (approx 5 kg capacity) and 3 box (approx 3 kg capacity) are common. The boxes themselves are sold at NZ Post outlets and include the postage. Unlike bags, boxes are rigid and require tape (not provided). The cost of a box is generally higher than an equivalent bag — for example, a 5 kg box likely costs more than an L bag ($12.80) because the box material costs more. However, boxes are better for fragile items and odd shapes that don’t fit bags.

Is it cheaper to ship a box or bag?

For items under 3 kg that fit a bag, the bag is always cheaper. The XS bag at $8.40 beats any box option for a small item. For items between 3 kg and 5 kg, a 5 box may be comparable to an XL bag + ticket scenario, but the bag is likely still cheaper if it fits. For items over 5 kg, boxes (or your own packaging with a ticket) are the only option, and the cost is determined by the Rate Finder. The key comparison: bag includes a free bag, box includes a free box — but the bag’s lower material cost passes savings to you.

Cheapest Way to Ship a Package in 2025

The cheapest way to ship within NZ in 2025 is to use an NZ Post pre-paid bag that fits your item. The XS bag at $8.40 Courier ($6.40 Economy) is the absolute floor. For items that don’t fit any bag, using your own packaging with an XS ticket ($7.40 Courier) is the next cheapest — assuming the item fits an XS-like volume (0.001 m³). For larger items, compare the Economy ticket price (e.g., M Economy ticket $8.80) against other courier services like CourierPost or PBT Couriers, but NZ Post’s network coverage (everywhere in NZ) often makes it the default choice.

NZ Post prepaid bags vs cardboard boxes

The decision between a bag and a box boils down to three factors: weight, fragility, and shape. Bags are lighter (no cardboard weight), cheaper, and easy to store flat. Boxes are rigid, stackable, and protect items from crushing. For sending documents, clothing, books, or electronics in padding, bags work fine. For glassware, ceramics, or heavy items that might burst a bag, use a box. The NZ Post Single Bag Range explicitly states bags support up to 3 kg — anything heavier needs a box or your own packaging. The rate finder at nzpost.co.nz/tools/rate-finder handles both scenarios.

Steps to send a parcel with NZ Post

Regardless of whether you use a bag or box, the process follows the same core steps. NZ Post has streamlined the domestic sending workflow so you can do it online or in-store.

Step 1: Weigh and measure your parcel

For a bag: ensure your item fits comfortably and is under 3 kg. For a box or own packaging: weigh on a postal scale and measure length, width, height in cm. This data goes into the Rate Finder.

Step 2: Choose your service — Courier or Economy

Courier ($3 extra vs Economy on most items) includes tracking and optional signature. Economy is untracked and slower but cheaper. For valuable items, Courier is recommended — tracking provides peace of mind, and the signature add-on ($3) provides proof of delivery.

Step 3: Buy the bag or ticket

Buy bags at any NZ Post outlet or order online. For own packaging, buy a ticket online via the Rate Finder and print the label, or buy in-store and write the address manually. The ticket includes the postage; you then attach it to your parcel.

Step 4: Pack and seal

For bags: place item inside, seal the adhesive strip, ensure bag is not stretched. For boxes: use strong tape (any parcel tape), seal all flaps, and ensure lid and base are secure. Over-ticketed parcels (where the volume/weight exceeds the ticket) incur an admin fee of $5.50 + GST per the NZ Post Sending Standards.

Step 5: Drop at a post shop or post box

Bags can go in any standard post box (the adhesive seal is secure). Boxes must go to a post shop or courier depot if over a certain size. Check the NZ Post drop-off locator for the nearest point.

Related reading: How Big Is A5 – Dimensions Sizes Comparisons

For a closer look at NZ Post’s prepaid bag options, the NZ Post prepaid bag sizes and prices guide details the current sizes and bundle pricing.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone sending a parcel in New Zealand, the choice comes down to weight and shape. Under 3 kg and fits a bag? The pre-paid bag is cheapest — the XS at $8.40 is the best deal in NZ domestic shipping. Over 3 kg, odd shape, or fragile? Use your own packaging with a ticket, but always check the Rate Finder first. The bag-or-box decision isn’t just about price — it’s about whether your item will survive the journey. For the everyday sender sending a book or a gift, the pre-paid bag is the clear winner. For the mover sending tools or fragile household items, the box option wins for protection.