Mondial Relay sets a weight limit of 30 kg for its standard Point Relais service. A 40 kg package therefore falls outside the typical framework offered by the network. This constraint, rarely highlighted in shipping guides, changes the game for anyone needing to ship heavy equipment, sports gear, or disassembled furniture.
30 kg limit at Mondial Relay: what it means for a 40 kg package
The Mondial Relay network, now linked to InPost, accepts packages up to 30 kg dropped off at a partner retailer. Beyond this threshold, the standard Point Relais service refuses to take it on. An individual presenting a 40 kg package will therefore be redirected to other solutions.
This limit is not just administrative. Retail partners handle packages manually, without pallet trucks or lifting carts. Accepting 40 kg loads would pose safety and liability issues. Automatic lockers are even more restrictive in dimensions and weight, which automatically excludes them for this type of shipment.
Before looking into how to send a large 40 kg package with Mondial Relay, it is essential to distinguish between two scenarios: splitting the shipment to stay under the 30 kg threshold, or switching to a carrier specialized in heavy packages.
Splitting a 40 kg shipment: method and limits of splitting
The most straightforward solution for using Mondial Relay is to divide the contents into two separate packages, each under 30 kg. This approach works for laundry, books, spare parts, or any divisible content without risk of breakage.
Dimension constraints to respect
Mondial Relay also imposes maximum dimensions per package: the total length + width + height must not exceed 150 cm, with a maximum length of 120 cm. Splitting the weight is not enough if the item is bulky. A 130 cm table leg, even if light, will be refused.
When splitting doesn’t work
Some items cannot be divided: motors, household appliances, metal frames. In these cases, splitting is not applicable. One must also consider the cost: two separate shipments are more expensive than one, and delivery times accumulate if the packages transit through different points relais.
- Check that each sub-package complies with both the weight limit (30 kg) and the dimensional limit (150 cm combined)
- Pack each part independently, with its own internal protections (foam, bubble wrap, cushioning)
- Clearly label the packages as part of the same shipment (mention “1/2” and “2/2”) to facilitate receipt
Alternative carriers for a heavy 40 kg package
When splitting is impossible, other providers take over. Colissimo accepts packages up to 30 kg, which also excludes it. However, pallet carriers or industrial courier services commonly handle 40 kg and beyond.
Services like those offered by courier networks (Geodis, DB Schenker, or multi-carrier shipping platforms) allow for home pickup. The package is then collected by an equipped courier, eliminating the handling issue at the point relais.
Pallet shipping for heavy and bulky items
For a 40 kg item that is difficult to carry, shipping on a pallet remains the safest solution. The package is strapped to a standardized support, handled with a pallet truck, and delivered by a lift gate. The cost is higher than a point relais shipment, but the safety of the contents and the logistical simplicity more than compensate.
Packaging and insurance: two often overlooked angles for heavy packages
A 40 kg package undergoes mechanical stresses far greater than those of a few-kilo parcel. Shocks during automated sorting, stacking in trucks, and transfers between depots put the packaging to the test.
What packaging for a 40 kg package
Single-walled cardboard is not enough. For this weight level, a double-walled cardboard box or a wooden crate is necessary. The internal cushioning must prevent any movement of the contents: custom-cut polyethylene foam, expanded polystyrene blocks, or multi-layer stretch film.
- Choose a box whose compression resistance (ECT value) is suitable for the actual weight of the contents
- Reinforce the edges and bottom with heavy-duty tape, not just clear tape
- Leave at least 5 cm of cushioning between the item and each wall of the box
- Seal the package in such a way that it cannot open under its own weight when turned upside down
Insurance coverage: a ceiling often insufficient
The basic compensation at Mondial Relay is capped and calibrated for light packages. For a 40 kg shipment containing valuable equipment, this standard coverage may not be sufficient. Field reports vary on this point: some shippers report very partial reimbursements in case of damage to heavy packages.
Before shipping, check the general terms and conditions of the chosen carrier and consider additional insurance if the value of the contents exceeds the proposed compensation ceiling. Several shipping platforms integrate package insurance simulators that allow you to quantify this additional protection.
A 40 kg package requires a different approach than a standard shipment. Mondial Relay’s 30 kg limit pushes either towards splitting or towards carriers equipped for heavy shipping. In both cases, packaging and insurance deserve as much attention as the choice of the provider itself.
