Packaging Tips
Please see below our tips and recommendations for packaging your parcels.
| General | |
| Always use a strong rigid carton | |
| Use a carton made of high quality corrugated cardboard preferably double walled to ensure strength, durability and protection. | |
| Avoid using a carton more than once as it's strength and therefore the protection it offers is reduced the more times it is handled. | |
| Choose the correct size of carton to match the contents. Under-filled boxes are likely to collapse, and over-filled burst open. | |
| If the carton is under-filled use padding materials such as polystyrene chips and shredded paper to fill it out. | |
| Wrap all items separately within the carton with protective cushioning such as bubble wrap. | |
| If possible ensure no items are touching the walls of the carton. | |
| Seal the carton with strong tape designed for shipping - everyday sellotape is not sufficient. | |
| Ensure all the carton is sealed securely with the flaps taped down along the middle and on both ends over the corners. | |
| When putting the carton together use strong staples or tape to ensure the base is secure and will not come open in transit. | |
| Many goods are shipped in the manufacturer's original packaging which is not always suitable for an overnight parcel system. | |
| Items such as boxes of CDs, DVDs and video tapes need to be packed with cushioning material around each item. | |
| Goods being sent in an Expresspak also need to be protected just as much as those in a carton. Expresspaks are designed as means of carriage, not protection. | |
| 'Fragile' and 'Handle with Care' labels are no substitute for good packaging - they are for information only. | |
| If you can hear or feel the contents of the carton moving inside then they are not packed properly. | |
| Liquids | |
| Liquids must be shipped in leak-free containers packed with lightweight protection. | |
| They must also be in a leak retaining protective plastic bag. | |
| Damaged liquids can cause contamination to other customers' goods. | |
| Packing recommendations | |
| To reduce the risk of shock damage and movement inside the package, we recommend you use one or a combination of one of the following types of packing material: | |
| Loosefill packing, eg., polystyrene chips | |
| Expanded polystyrene foam | |
| Polystyrene sheets or blocks | |
| Bubble wrap | |
| Foam rubber Geber | |
| Screwed up newspaper or any other similar item |
