Tips For Packing Boxes For Shipping More Securely

Care must be taken when packing large shipping boxes. Since the box will likely pass through many hands and travel a long distance, it is vital to do your best in ensuring the contents are well-secured. Here are some tips on how to ensure this.

1. Choose The Right Size

The box should always be larger than its contents, but not overly so. Depending on the fragility of the contents, you may want to include some packing material like an insert, packing peanuts, or even just newspaper to provide some added protection.

2. Choose The Right Boxes for Shipping

Less fragile items like clothing can be easily packed and shipped using used boxes. More delicate items like crockery and electronics will require new boxes whose structural integrity is not compromised. Ensure the thickness of the boxes for shipping is also suited to its contents. Thicker walls offer better protection.

3. Pack It Right

Use packing materials to fill up any empty spaces and as added protection around your contents. This will prevent the contents from coming dislodged and banging into each other in the box. Remember to add a layer of such protection both at the bottom of the box and very top before closing it. If packing several items, place the heaviest and largest ones at the bottom and the lightest ones on top. This will reduce the pressure and likelihood of damage in transit.

4. Indicate Fragility

Where you have easily damaged box contents, it is important to call this factor to the attention of shippers. Labels that indicate a need to handle with care or that the contents are breakable should be used. The better informed shippers are about what they are handling, the more care they will take.

5. Reinforce

Use packing tape to reinforce the bottom and side edges. This can help preserve the integrity of the box for longer and if unexpectedly exposed to such damaging elements as water. Avoid the use of regular masking tape or adhesive tape.

6. Choose The Right Shipper

It is best to work with a shipper that has well-trained staff that will handle your large shipping boxes properly. Shop around the various shippers that serve your area and choose the one with a strong reputation for careful handling. If you are a business, you may want to consult other businesses in the area that ship similar products. Avoid choosing a shipper based on just rates. If they are the cheapest yet continually damage your items, you will still need to pay extra to make replacements.