KSRTC courier bans 39 items, including laptops, phones: What you can’t send anymore

Kochi: Sending your laptop or mobile phone through the KSRTC courier service is now off-limits.  

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has added 39 items to its list of prohibited goods, including popular electronic gadgets, after outsourcing operations to an Andhra Pradesh-based firm, Singhu Solutions.

The corporation said the new restrictions are part of enhanced safety protocols and an effort to curb fraudulent activities. “These changes are tied to a new courier management software developed by the company,” a senior KSRTC official said.

While many customers acknowledge the need to restrict certain items, they question the logic of banning everyday electronics.

“This makes no sense. IT employees often used KSRTC courier to recover laptops or phones left behind,” said Raghunandan R, a techie from Thodupuzha working at Infopark.

The new system now requires senders to declare item values and sign documents, while recipients must present valid ID — sometimes even photographed by staff — to prevent misuse.

Officials revealed that the ban on mobile phones was triggered after the service was allegedly used to ship imported gadgets like iPhones from Dubai to avoid GST.

“If we receive formal complaints, the matter will be taken up with the operating company,” the official added.

Revenue Dip, But Optimism Ahead

Since the handover, courier revenue has seen a dip, but KSRTC expects recovery within six months. The corporation pays a 19.85% commission to Singhu Solutions, which now bears all operating expenses.

With 46 parcel counters across Kerala and one in Coimbatore, KSRTC is also planning to expand courier counters into Karnataka. Door delivery within a 10-km radius is on the anvil to boost customer convenience and revenue.