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Packing Items to Post Safely
Packing Items to Post Safely
BUSINESS · GLOBAL
Packing Items to Post Safely
Choosing a box, void fill, fragile items and labelling
Most damage in transit is caused by insufficient space around the item rather than by rough handling, which is straightforward to fix.
The two-inch rule
Aim for around five centimetres of cushioning on every side between the item and the box wall, including the top and bottom. An item touching the wall is an item that will be damaged.
Use a box strong enough for the weight — double-wall for anything heavy — and do not reuse a soft, previously crushed box for something valuable.
Void fill
Paper, air pillows, foam or shredded card, packed firmly so nothing moves when the box is shaken. Movement inside the box is what breaks things.
Wrap each item individually, and wrap anything with a protruding part separately.
Fragile items
Box within a box is the reliable method — the item wrapped and boxed, then that box suspended in cushioning inside a larger one. Glass and ceramics should be wrapped so no two pieces touch.
Fragile stickers help and are not a substitute for packing.
Sealing and labelling
Proper packing tape along every seam in an H pattern rather than parcel string or masking tape. One clear label, with the old labels removed, and a duplicate address inside the box.
Restricted items
Batteries, aerosols, liquids, perfumes and flammables all have rules, and lithium batteries in particular are restricted by air. Check the carrier's list before posting rather than afterwards.
Insurance and proof
Standard cover is limited and frequently excludes poorly packed items. Photograph the item and the packing before sealing, and keep the receipt.
Reducing packaging
Right-sizing the box cuts both cost and waste, since carriers charge by volumetric weight. Paper-based void fill and tape are easier for customers to recycle than plastic film.
Check what your local authority actually accepts before describing anything as recyclable.
Selling online
Photograph the packed item, keep proof of postage, and use tracked services for anything valuable. Most disputes come down to what can be evidenced.
Posting abroad
A customs declaration with an accurate description, value and commodity code is required, and an incorrect one causes delays and penalties. Check the destination's prohibited list, which covers far more than people expect.
Food, plants, batteries and liquids are restricted into many countries.
Storage
Keep boxes and paper dry and flat, since damp cardboard loses most of its strength.
Weigh and measure the packed parcel before booking, since carriers charge by volumetric weight.
Keep a small stock of two or three box sizes rather than one of everything.
Reusing materials
Reused boxes and paper are fine if they are sound.
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