Articles
How to Pack Car Parts for a PUDO Locker: Sizes and Tips
Car parts are awkward to ship. They are heavy, oddly shaped, often oily and sometimes surprisingly fragile. A brake disc can punch through a thin box, and a headlight tab can snap if the parcel is dropped. Good packing is the difference between a happy buyer and a claim.
This guide covers the PUDO locker sizes used on SecureAutoMarket and how to pack common parts so they arrive in the condition you described.
How PUDO shipping works
SecureAutoMarket uses PUDO lockers from The Courier Guy’s network. As a seller, you drop the parcel into a nearby PUDO locker using a PIN. You do not need a courier account and you do not need to print anything. The buyer then collects from the locker they chose at checkout.
Because the parcel has to fit a locker box, size and weight matter before you even list a part.
PUDO locker sizes and weight limits
| Box | Dimensions (cm) | Max weight | Typical parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 60 × 17 × 8 | 2 kg | Sensors, switches, small trim, emblems, relays |
| S | 60 × 41 × 8 | 5 kg | Grilles, flat trim panels, wiper arms, small ECUs |
| M | 60 × 41 × 19 | 10 kg | Taillights, mirrors, starters, brake calipers |
| L | 60 × 41 × 41 | 15 kg | Headlights, alternators, compressors, pairs of brake discs |
| XL | 60 × 41 × 69 | 20 kg | Bulky assemblies within the weight limit |
Keep in mind that these are the locker dimensions, so your packed parcel must fit inside, padding and all. Weigh the packed parcel, not just the part. The vendor shipping guide has further detail.
Choosing the right box size
- Measure the part at its widest, longest and deepest points.
- Add padding: allow roughly 5 cm on every side for fragile items.
- Weigh the finished parcel on a bathroom or luggage scale.
- Pick the smallest locker it fits comfortably, without forcing it.
If a part is over 20 kg, or will not fit the XL box even when well packed, it is not suited to the locker network. Check with support before listing it.
Packing basics that apply to everything
Use a strong box
Double-walled cardboard boxes are worth the small extra cost for anything heavy. Old boxes are fine if they are still rigid, with no soft corners or water damage. Remove or cover old labels and barcodes.
Drain, clean and seal
Parts that held oil, coolant, fuel or brake fluid must be drained as fully as possible. Then:
- Cap or tape over open ports and pipes.
- Wrap the part in a heavy plastic bag and seal it.
- Add absorbent material like newspaper or rags inside the bag.
Leaking fluids can damage other parcels and the locker itself, and a greasy box is more likely to fall apart.
Stop movement
The part should not move when you shake the box. Fill empty space with crumpled paper, bubble wrap, foam or cardboard inserts. Movement is what breaks tabs and cracks housings.
Tape it properly
Use strong packing tape and apply the “H” method: tape along the centre seam and across both edges, on the top and the bottom.
Include the details
Place a note inside with the order number and part description. If the outer label is damaged, it helps identify the parcel.
How to pack fragile parts
Headlights and taillights
These are some of the most commonly damaged parts in transit, usually because a mounting tab snaps or the lens gets scratched.
- Cover the lens with a layer of soft foam or bubble wrap, taped in place.
- Wrap each mounting tab individually with foam or cardboard. Tabs are the weak point.
- Wrap the whole unit in several layers of bubble wrap.
- Place a layer of padding in the bottom of the box, set the light in the centre, and fill all sides so it is suspended with at least 5 cm of padding between the light and the box walls.
- Add a top layer of padding before closing.
A double-box approach (a padded inner box inside a padded outer box) is excellent for expensive LED or xenon headlights.
Mirrors
Tape a piece of stiff cardboard or foam over the mirror glass so it cannot crack if the box takes a knock. Protect the housing corners and the wiring plug. Wrap the mounting base so bolts cannot puncture anything.
Glass and sensors
Parking sensors, cameras and small electronics should be wrapped in anti-static or bubble wrap and packed in a snug small box. Protect connector pins from being bent.
How to pack heavy parts
Brake discs and drums
Wrap each disc in plastic to contain rust dust, then in cardboard. Put discs flat with cardboard between them. They are heavy for their size, so reinforce the bottom of the box.
Alternators, starters and compressors
Cap any open ports, wrap in plastic, then in bubble wrap. Protect the pulley and electrical terminals. Fill all gaps so the unit cannot shift.
Calipers
Drain, cap the brake hose port, and bag the caliper to contain residue. Pad well; calipers are dense and will damage other items if loose.
Awkward shapes
- Bumpers, doors and large panels will generally not fit the locker dimensions. Check measurements before listing.
- Exhaust sections are often longer than the 60 cm locker length. Measure before listing.
- Wheels with tyres fitted usually exceed the locker dimensions. Some bare rims may fit, so measure carefully against the table above.
Before you drop it off
- Shake test: nothing moves or rattles.
- Weigh the packed parcel.
- Measure to confirm it fits the chosen locker size.
- Seal fluids and check for leaks.
- Photograph the packed part and the sealed box, a useful record if anything is disputed.
The bottom line
Good packing protects your part, your reputation and your payout. On SecureAutoMarket, the buyer’s payment is held in escrow until they receive and accept the part, or the 24-hour window after locker delivery passes, so a part that arrives intact is a part that gets paid for quickly.
Keep reading
- Facebook Marketplace Car Part Scams in SA: Red Flags
- Used Car Part Inspection Checklist: What to Check on Arrival
- Most Commonly Replaced Car Parts in South Africa (and When)
Frequently asked questions
What are the PUDO locker sizes?
XS is 60×17×8 cm up to 2 kg, S is 60×41×8 cm up to 5 kg, M is 60×41×19 cm up to 10 kg, L is 60×41×41 cm up to 15 kg and XL is 60×41×69 cm up to 20 kg.
Do I need to print a waybill for PUDO?
No. On SecureAutoMarket you drop the parcel at a nearby PUDO locker using a PIN. There is no courier account to open and nothing to print.
How do I ship a part heavier than 20 kg?
The largest locker box takes up to 20 kg. Heavier items will not fit the locker network, so check the vendor shipping guide or contact support before listing them.
How should I pack a headlight?
Protect the lens with foam or bubble wrap, secure the mounting tabs, and suspend the light in the middle of a sturdy box with at least 5 cm of padding on every side so it cannot touch the walls.
