Post Office Parcel Service to Increase Boxes with Hole Handles

Currently expanding from Box 5 to Box 4
Delivery workers and others find work significantly easier

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The perforated handles on post office parcel boxes will be expanded from size 5 boxes to the smaller size 4 boxes. Additionally, packaging materials such as plastic tape and air caps provided when purchasing parcel boxes will be converted to eco-friendly paper materials, initially by 50%, with plans for further expansion.

The Ministry of Science and ICT’s Postal Service Headquarters announced on the 31st that starting from the 1st of next month, to alleviate the difficulties faced by delivery workers, couriers, and sorting staff, the perforated handle parcel boxes sold at post offices will be expanded from size 5 boxes (standard 120cm) to include the smaller size 4 boxes (standard 100cm).

The perforated handle parcel boxes were introduced in November last year and have been sold nationwide at post offices since February this year. The handles on the size 4 boxes are made with half-holes, like the size 5 boxes, to prevent foreign substance intrusion and small item escape, and the box corrugated cardboard has been improved from single-sided to double-sided on both sides to enhance durability. They are available for purchase at post offices nationwide, though sales timing may vary by post office depending on supply schedules.

The Postal Service Headquarters explains that parcel boxes with perforated handles can make transportation work much easier. Parcel mail undergoes about 10 handling processes from acceptance to delivery. Heavy boxes are difficult to lift, and wearing gloves can cause slipping, making the work challenging. However, boxes with perforated handles are much easier to carry and transport.

According to the “Survey on Musculoskeletal Disorders among Mart Workers” published by the Labor Environment and Health Research Institute, creating handles on boxes can reduce the load of heavy items by more than 10%. With the increase in delivery demand due to prolonged COVID-19 non-face-to-face economic activities, it is expected that working conditions for workers in related industries will improve. This year, a total of 7.51 million perforated handle boxes are expected to be used, with 3.66 million size 4 boxes and 3.85 million size 5 boxes.

Considering the environment, the existing plastic tape and air caps provided when purchasing parcel boxes will be replaced with eco-friendly paper tape and paper air caps. Initially, 50% will be converted, and the use of eco-friendly materials will be continuously expanded in the future.

Due to increased production costs from the introduction of perforated handles and eco-friendly packaging materials, as well as the rise in raw material prices for boxes, the selling price of parcel boxes will also increase. Starting from the 1st of next month, the price of perforated handle size 4 and 5 boxes will increase by 200 won, and other boxes will increase by 100 won each.