A study on the Logical Reclassification of Parcel Service Tariffs

택배요금기준의 합리적 재설정에 관한 연구

In Korea, the parcel delivery service was launched officially in 1992, and the market has grown to 13.2 billion units, or 3.5 trillion won, as of 2011. The service companies accept small packages under 30 kg and deliver them on the next day in most domestic areas. This service plays an important role in business and personal activities. The parcel service companies have themselves designed the tariff for the delivery service based on two criteria: weight and the sum of three side lengths. Further, the tariff is graded in steps of three or four rate structures based on size (small, medium, large, and extra-small). However, the basic freight rate is generally decided according to the cargo's weight or measurement size, and an extra rate is added according to some factors (handling, stowability, liability, and so on). The parcel service tariff adopted by the companies is illogically designed, and this study was carried out to assess the need for redesigning the tariff structure. The cargo volume cannot be logically reflected by three side lengths. For example, two parcels measuring 160 cm based on three side lengths may have different volumes, one measuring 0.152 cbm (53.33 cm × 53.33 cm × 53.34 cm) and the other 0.05 cbm (100 cm × 50 cm × 10 cm). A small package of less than120 cm (sum of three side lengths) may have a volume of as much as 0.064 cbm (40 cm × 40 cm × 40 cm). Sample comparison showed that 17% of medium-size parcels (based on the sum of three side lengths) are small-volume packages, 24% of large-size parcels are small- or medium-volume packages, and 40% of extra-big-size parcels are big- or under-size packages. Therefore, if parcel service companies rate their services for volume cargo based on the three side lengths standard, users may have to pay higher than normal rates, particularly because a large percentage of parcels are volume cargo. According to this study, the average weight per 1 cbm is less than 300 kg. Therefore, users face an increasing risk of paying higher than logical freight charges. Generally, transportation companies are called "public interest enterprises," and parcel service companies operate as postal services. Public interest enterprises must provide the delivery service to all customers without discrimination at a reasonable service level and logical service charges. Therefore, parcels service tariffs must be designed and adopted logically. In this study, freight theories and prior research findings were used to consider the importance of freight rates, and distortion of parcel service rates based on the three side lengths system was verified through regression analysis of a parcel sample and sample comparison. In conclusion, volume sizes based on three side lengths have a higher correlation to the rate level than does the sum of three side lengths. Further, compared to the sum of three side lengths, volume size has a higher correlation to cargo weight, which is the most basic factor determining transportation cost. Therefore, the existing parcel service tariff should be changed to weight- and volume-based rates, and the tariff must be graded in steps of 8 to 10 higher rate structures for a logical freight schedule based on service cost.

본 연구는 현재 국내 택배업체들이 택배이용자들에게 제시하고 있는 '택배요금기준'의 불합리성을 개선하여 합리적인 기준에 의한 요금 수수가 이루어 질수 있도록 하기 위해서 수행되었다. 일반적으로 화물운송임은 화물의 중량이나 부피의 크기를 기본으로 하고 몇 가지의 할인 및 할증의 요소들을 감안하여 책정이 된다. 특히 택배서비스와 같이 공공물류의 성격이 강하고, 불특정 다수가 이용하는 경우에는 요금기준의 합리성이 강하게 요구된다고 할 수 있다. 따라서 택배거래의 기준이 되는 택배요금의 기준이 합리적으로 설정되어 있어야 하는 바, 현재 국내택배업체들이 자체적으로 설정하여 적용하고 있는 택배요금기준이 합리적으로 설정이 되어있는 지에 대하여 분석하였다. 이를 위하여 문헌 및 선행연구들을 통하여 각종 이론을 검토하고 외국의 택배업체들의 요금계산방법, 타운송수단의 운임의 적용기준 등을 검토하였으며 택배화물을 표본조사를 하여 '부피의 크기'기준과 '3변의 합의 크기' 기준 중 어떤 기준이 더 합리적으로 요금의 크기를 나타내고 있는지를 회귀분석을 통하여 분석하였고, 운임 결정의 또 하나의 중요한 요소인 중량의 크기를 어떤 방법이 더 잘 반영하는지를 검토하였다. 연구결과 '부피의 크기'에 의한 화물의 크기결정방법이 현실적으로 요금수준을 합리적으로 설명하고 화물의 중량과의 상관관계도 높게 나타내고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 현재의 '중량의 크기'와 '3변의 합의 크기'에 따른 요금기준은 '중량의 크기'와 '부피의 크기'기준으로 변경되는 것이 합리적이라는 결론에 도달하였다.