Pascal Schupp. — © kma
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If you order a cuddly toy or puzzle online at the toy store Kiki in Sint-Antonius, near Zoersel, you will now also receive a painted stone or even a paper bag full of pebbles. “That is the only way to avoid the density surcharge that Bpost introduced last year for parcels that weigh too little,” explains business manager Pascal Schupp.
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Kristin Matthyssen
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The purpose of Bpost’s density surcharge is to put less ‘air’ in parcels and thus save space. That is better for the environment, but according to the managers of toy store Kiki, it completely misses its target.
“The density surcharge is calculated on the packaging density,” says business manager Pascal Schupp. “The weight of a package must therefore be large enough in relation to the volume of a package. I understand that it is frustrating for the postal service when a pair of socks is sent in a large box. Web shops that ship heavy items, such as dog food, are not affected by the density surcharge. But we send light hugs, puzzles or board games. You cannot fold or crumple such a hug.”
The result: the toy store now puts painted stones in the packages to avoid the surcharge. “We came up with the idea to make our packages heavier by adding stones. Absurd, but it works.”
–The painted boulders. — © rr
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Schupp also adds one painted boulder and a note with explanation so that children can get started at home to paint stones.
Centiemen
Co-manager Roeland Ruelens does not understand. “We are a store specialized in sustainable toys. We order our parcels nearby by cargo bike. But we can’t do that everywhere. I can imagine that postmen would rather not order boxes weighted with boulders. A more heavily loaded car uses more fuel and is worse for the environment.”
On October 30 and 31, Kiki will celebrate its ninth birthday weekend, with discounts. “We expect a lot of orders, and consequently more parcels. Hopefully, Bpost can review that surcharge by then.”
But Veerle Van Mierlo of Bpost continues to defend the density surcharge, as an incentive to allow companies to make smaller parcels. “Too much air is still being sent. Courier services charge the same surcharge. By the way, it is a matter of a few cents, one should not exaggerate.”
“Indeed, about 25 cents per pack, but if you send a thousand parcels, that adds up,” says Schupp. “Post.nl has reduced that density surcharge and refunded us the cents. That’s another way to do it.”
In the meantime, Pascal continues to collect boulders. “There are many in the Bpost car park and the temptation is great. But I’ll leave it there.”
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