If you are shipping multiple packages for your business, your packages are slated to travel thousands of kilometres if you are planning to send them abroad. But even if your packages are only destined for delivery within the UK, you should be aware that there is a proper way of packing and shipping them as well. The adequate packing of your items is essential if you don’t want your items to become broken or damaged before they reach their destination. Here, then, is your essential guide to the correct packing of items for shipping.
The basics of proper packing
The first thing you need to do is assess your items for shipping. Consider the item’s weight and its fragility, and think about its value as well. You should also learn more about packing requirements for various modes of transport. The next step is to pack your items, and it’s best to use double-walled boxes for this such as the special mailing boxes from UK Packaging which are sturdy, durable, and promise utmost protection for your items. The general rule of thumb for packing items is that there should be a distance of 6 centimetres between the content and the box’s walls. If there is too much space left over, use fillers like bubble wrap, packing chips or paper, or foam.
After you pack your item, seal it properly using pressure-sensitive tape of at least 48 millimetres in width. For sealing, make use of the ‘H’ method – place tape along the sides of the box’s top and across the top to make an ‘H’. The last step is to make sure your box is labelled correctly. Stick the shipping label to the surface of the package so that people can easily see it.
Packing considerations
There are some packing considerations as well, and this includes the weight, the size and shape, the form of the contents or items, the value of the items, the fragility, the final use, and the regulations. For weight, think about the durability and strength of the box. The box you choose should hold the actual weight of the item inside and keep it secure. When it comes to the size and shape, the contents inside should not touch the box’s outer wall, and if you have oddly-shaped or rounded items, this may require extra care in packaging.
The form of the contents or items refers to whether they are in liquid or powder form, for instance, where it may need extra protection. For the value, think of additional cushioning to protect your high-value items further. If fragile, you may need to provide additional cushioning as well. The label should also state that the article is fragile. For final use, will the box have to be ready for retail? Or would you like to avoid placing too many markings on the container or box? When it comes to regulations, some items may need special packaging as well.
When you follow all the considerations mentioned above and the basics for proper packing, you can have peace of mind with the knowledge that your items will reach their destination without any unnecessary damage.
Image attributed to Pixabay.com
