Your Courier Queries Answered

Date: 5 Feb 2020
Author: Hill Laboratories

We receive a lot of queries relating to the courier service and samples arriving at the laboratory, "How do I track my samples?", "Why did my samples not arrive at the laboratory in time?", "I can't seem to book a pick-up". We want your experience with sending in samples to be easy and problem-free, so here is some information to help you be fully informed of where and when your parcels will be traveling to us.

Tracking Deliveries

Consignments to the laboratory can be easily tracked via courier websites, please retain the tracking number on your courier ticket.

https://www.courierpost.co.nz/track/track-and-trace/

https://www.nzcouriers.co.nz/track_and_trace.html

Rural Deliveries

Outbound deliveries to rural addresses will take between 1-3 working days to arrive, depending on the service provider and your location. This is important to factor in when ordering supplied items from the laboratory.

Booking a courier pick-up

Bookings can be made online via the courier website or by phone. This service is not available to all locations, so it is best to check with your local courier depot if your address is classified as rural or you have issues booking online. Alternatively, samples will need to be dropped off at your nearest courier depot or agent in person.

Cut-off times at courier depots are key to ensure next day delivery to the laboratory. The majority of courier providers aim for a standard 24 hour delivery time frame (providing the cut off time at the depot is met). Each individual depot will have its own cut off time for consignments intended for Hamilton, Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. The rule of thumb for dropping samples off is 'the earlier the better'. Failure to meet the cut off time is likely to add another day to delivery.

Same day delivery service is available between limited locations in the North and South Island, and again is dependent on cut-off times at each courier depot.

Time-sensitive testing (including microbiological samples) - we highly recommend samples are dropped off to your nearest courier depot and not a registered agent or Post Shop as this may incur delays with delivery to the laboratory.

To check for your nearest courier depot, it’s operating hours and whether your address is classified as rural, follow the links provided.

https://www.nzcouriers.co.nz/tools.html

https://www.courierpost.co.nz/contact-us/branch-locator/