Service Shutdown
Australian parcel and courier service Sendle ceased operations effective January 11. An email sent to customers informed them that all bookings were halted immediately.
Impact on Deliveries and Bookings
For parcels already picked up and in transit, delivery will occur at the discretion of the delivery partner. Any existing bookings scheduled for pickup on January 12 or later have been canceled.
Company Background and Statement
Sendle, established in 2014, apologized to users for the inconvenience but did not provide a reason for the shutdown. The company had previously stated it shipped over 65 million parcels across three countries and was primarily utilized by small businesses. Sendle promoted itself as a more economical option compared to Australia Post, with a three-kilogram parcel priced at $13.20 through Sendle versus $19.30 via Australia Post.
Business Reaction and Expansion Efforts
Small business owners reported being surprised by the cessation of services. One business owner stated her company had been considering shifting all postage to Sendle due to its perceived cost-effectiveness. In 2021, Sendle secured $45 million in a funding round, intended to support its expansion into the United States.