Whenever you box up and drop a package off at your local shipper, from that point on, you can only hope that the item will make it to its destination in one piece. Despite the fact that the shipment is out of your hands at that point, there are a few tricks that you can use to maximize its chances that it makes it through transit intact. These are five tips for shipping fragile products the right way.
Always Specify on the Box
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that all hands that your shipment ends up in will be delicate. Before sending your package out for shipment, be sure to print a noticeable label that indicates that it is a fragile package. You can also use a permanent marker to mark the box. Be sure to mark it on all sides so that there is no chance for confusion.
Use a Service for Packaging Fragile Items
There are also services available that are dedicated to helping shippers box up fragile packages. These types of services also generally specialize in packaging awkwardly shaped items of differing sizes. It might be worth it to skip out on trying to secure the package yourself and leave that job to the pros.
Use Foam or Bubble Wrap
Of course, there’s always the option of adding extra cushion to soften blows from being dropped or handled roughly. Be sure to stuff any open space in the package with bubble wrap or foam. If you don’t have any of these types of materials, newspaper and similar materials will also work. Anything soft and firm can serve as a cushion for turbulence while your package is in transit.
Wrap Glass and China with Newspaper
Not only will you need to cushion the inside of shipments that contain glass or china, but it’s also a good idea to wrap them with newspaper. This helps protect against scratches, and even if the item manages to sustain a break, the pieces will stay together within the newspaper for easy removal from the package.
Always Use a New Box
Lastly, always go with a new, unused box any time you ship fragile items. Each time a box is re-used for packaging, it loses a little bit more of its original strength and resistance as far as protecting its contents goes. This is why it’s important to always just purchase a new box for items that are liable to break with turbulence.
Author: Rianne Hunter is a wife, mother of three, and a long time business writer covering a myriad of subjects from logistics to marketing. When dealing with troubling logistical issues such as packaging and shipping, she recommends soliciting help from industry experts such as Pack-All International.
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