Shipping or mailing an item can result in damage, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You can reduce the risk of damage to your parcel by packaging your items properly. If you send out items for your business on a regular basis, you need to prioritise the proper packaging and shipping of your items so that they can arrive safely and in the right condition. It’s not just about packing them in a container and labelling the container correctly – there are other factors which can affect the state and condition of your item as well. Here are some top tips on mailing and shipping items for your business.
- Make sure the address is clear. According to shipping experts, it’s essential that your recipient’s address is clear. Some companies even invest in label printers so the addresses are legible and easy to read. If you do a lot of shipping for your business, you may want to invest in a label printer as well. It gives you another advantage: a stick-on label which doesn’t require tape, which can also help you save on shipping costs.
- Make use of envelopes which are padded if you have items or objects which are oddly-shaped or have sharp edges.
- Your outer boxes or containers should also be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the items inside. Go for sturdy cardboard boxes or reinforced mailing boxes with sides that are double-lined and made from durable kraft board.
- If you are shipping several fragile or delicate objects in one container, make sure that they don’t touch or rub against each other. Wrap each object individually with bubble wrap and secure the bubble wrap with tape. The fragile or delicate items shouldn’t touch the sides of the container or box. Fill the available space with fillers such as packing nuts, bubble wrap, or paper.
- Don’t forget to write down a return address on your parcel, just in case it isn’t delivered to the recipient.
- It would also be a good idea to include a contact person’s name and mailing address as well as the telephone number on the inside of the box or container, just in case.
- It’s important to seal the box as securely as possible; do this with vinyl or nylon tape, and pay particular attention to the box’s openings and edges.
- If the parcel has any sharp edges due to metal fastenings or staples, cover these with tape as well.
- If the items to be shipped are delicate or fragile, write ‘Fragile’ or use the appropriate sticker on the outside of the box.
Know which items are restricted
You should also know if the items you are planning to send are restricted or prohibited. As a general rule with most shippers, items such as alcohol and aerosols are restricted, as are items such as batteries, lighters, matches, liquids, nail varnish, perfumes, and paints. Of course, you can make arrangements with a particular shipping provider and adhere to certain rules if standard shipping companies label your items as restricted.
