Hi all. I’ve recently designed a new wind spinner…see below. I’m really happy with the size, so now I need to work out the best way to ship them - it’s approx 4.5cm across & 25cm long. I’m thinking tubes might be a good way to go & just wondered if anyone could recommend a supplier? I’m looking for recycled & recyclable if possible. I’ve found a few options, but just wanted to ask around before ordering anything - I’m always nervous buying anything in bulk. Don’t want to risk being lumbered with 20 odd rubbish ones!
Cheers in advance folks 
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I’ve recently used Packaging Chimp for compostable mailing bags and have been really happy with them. It looks like they do tubes in 10 packs which should hopefully mean you won’t have to have loads taking up space;
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Ahh thanks Jen, yeah they look good & they do a shorter length too which could be handy. Just annoying when the delivery is more than the cost of what you’re buying 
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Doh!! I didn’t get that far…
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Lol no worries! I can understand it I suppose, they are awkward things to ship in bulk…it seems to be standard across most of the suppliers I’ve looked at.
Hi Dee
It might be worth checking the price of sending tubes by Royal Mail now. It’s my understanding that even quite small tubes count as a medium parcel now whereas a box of similar proportions would post as a small parcel. I was caught out the other day.
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Oh no, that’s annoying! I’ve just been trawling the RM website & can’t find any mention regarding tubes, other than the max dimensions, which mine would be well under. The tubes I’m looking at are also a lot smaller than the small parcel dimensions so it would be super cheeky if they tried to charge for a medium. Looks like I’d better take another trip to the PO to check with them - I don’t trust them to have updated the website properly!! Thanks for the heads up!
Yes, certainly worth checking as I was very annoyed when doing my online postage. I don’t always get these things right though, so would be good to hear what you discover. It does seem very illogical if my understanding is correct! The tube I was posting was only 8 cm in diameter!
Yeah it seems a bit silly, as if I needed to use a box then it would be a bigger parcel in the end. That’s why I thought tubes would be a good move as it’s less packaging! But then not much surprises me with RM! I’ll check with my local PO as they’re lovely & helpful…will report back
Thanks for posting this link. I’m going to need some cardboard tubes for shipping artwork and I’ve been wondering where to get some from.
Heather
@Justtosay How long was it? My assumption would be that tubes under 45cm long go as small parcels, and longer as medium, but the tube thing always confuses me because they’re never very clear about them. I have had some in the past go as small and some as medium, but it was years ago so there is a good chance the rules have changed since then.
Sorry for the delay - am having a horrible week.
The tubes I post are about 19 cm long. When I use the online RM Click and Drop service it comes up with the usual choices of letter, large letter, small parcel etc. Now, however, there is a new tube category between medium parcel and large parcel where it gives maximum weight/ dimensions as it does for the other categories. Postage is from £5.10!!!
Maybe if I took the tubes to the post office, I would be charged differently. I’d be interested to know what Dee finds.
@Justtosay That’s rubbish! Do you get a bit of a discount with click and drop? I was going to say £5.10 doesn’t even match up with the medium parcel price so it’s a completely new category, but it would if they’re a bit cheaper than post office prices.
The standard prices leaflet only gives the maximum dimensions for tubes, but doesn’t indicate which price bracket they’d be under. I’ve had a quick search of their twitter responses to see what they’ve said to people asking about it and there’s a mix of answers, some saying if it fits in small parcel dimensions it’s small parcel price, and others saying all tubes are medium parcels, so it doesn’t clear anything up and I imagine post offices would be as inconsistent if they don’t have super clear guidelines.
I hope your week gets better soon.
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Right, I have been to the post office! The chap I spoke to wasn’t aware of any different rates for tubes. I bought one from them that will be the size I want - so about 5cm diameter & 33cm long (A3 size), & he confirmed it would go as a small parcel.
I don’t have a printer so haven’t tried online postage, but to be honest your experience has put me off a bit anyway @Justtosay 
I think if my nearest PO are confirming it’s a small parcel I will just make sure I always post from there!! I bet that if I walked down to the Didsbury branch they would say medium parcel. As you say Kim @konyskiw there are some branches that seem to want to get as much money as possible from you. I have to insist they check…it always fits as a large letter & they never apologise for trying to rinse you! I’m lucky that my nearest one is staffed by lovely people.
Wish I could buy the tubes from them but they’re over twice the price, so I’m going with these guys as they seem good rates: Buy Postal Tubes | Cardboard Postage Tubes | Mailing Tubes
Will let you know how they are!
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That’s all very interesting. Thank you for doing the research. It sounds as though you’re both right and the answer is to take the tubes to a friendly post office. I would risk them as a small parcel even Click and Drop if it weren’t for the fact they are going to customers!
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Thank you Kim.
I’ve re replied to you and Dee below
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That’s the thing isn’t it - would hate for a customer to get a note through saying they had extra to pay!! I’d be mortified! Yes, feeling very grateful for my lovely PO staff
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It wouldn’t look too good would it!