Are you shipping valuable items, electronic equipment or delicate works of art? All of these may require extra protection in transit. Proper protection of the shipment is crucial for safe arrival to the recipient. In this article, you will find tips how to prepare your parcel for shipment effectively to minimize the risk of damage.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PACKAGING

The first step is to choose the right packaging. Try to choose robust cardboards that will not be crushed or torn by the weight of the contents. If you are shipping something that may be vulnerable to damage, consider using two layers of packaging – one inner and one outer.

A material that can help absorb vibrations and protect the item from mechanical damage could be bubble wrap. It is lightweight and flexible and will work perfectly as an extra layer of protection for fragile items. When wrapping an item in bubble wrap, remember to leave the bubbles on the outside – this will allow the air inside them to absorb vibrations better.

Fillers are also important. These can be used to fill the voids in the shipping cardboard, preventing the contents of the package from moving around. Materials such as polystyrene chips, packing paper or corrugated cardboard can be used for this purpose.

USE APPROPRIATE LABELING AND INSURE THE PACKAGE

Labels and markings on the package are extremely important. It is a good idea to label the package clearly, with visible information about the contents and suitable warnings (e.g. “Caution! Glass” or “Fragile”). This will very important information while handling a parcel.

For precious or extremely fragile items, insurance is a must. Most courier companies offer a variety of insurance options that can add extra support in the event of damage to the contents of the parcel.