When you have to send a package you can often feel stressed. You worry about packaging the items correctly. You want to make sure they are safe and do not get damaged en route to your recipient.
If you've ever received a package that you were eagerly awaiting, only to find out that the product was damaged, you know how frustrating this can be.
You want to know how to ship large items properly.
We've put together this detailed guide to show you how.
The Guide on How to Ship Large Items
Whether you are sending a large item to a friend or shipping it to a customer, you want to make sure that it is protected from any possible damage.
Here's what you need to do to ship large items successfully:
1. Choosing the Right Box
The first step is to make sure that the size of your box is appropriate for your large items. You may be tempted to purchase the largest box possible, but this may not be the best idea.
Having a larger box that needed will leave excess empty space around your goods. This can cause the goods to move around and get seriously damaged. But if the box just manages to fit your goods in, you may not be able to add any padding or protective material to surround the goods.
The ideal situation is to have a space of two inches between the inner sides of the box and your goods. This two inches of space is where you will keep the padding or protective material.
Make sure you measure the length and width of your products to decide the size of the box. If you opt for a shipping container, you should follow the same rules.
2. Choosing the Protective Material
The next step is to choose the appropriate protective material for your goods. There are several options available to you.
The most popular option is to use bubble wrap. This can be wrapped around your goods and can also be used to cover all the inner sides and the bottom of the box or container. If you do opt for bubble wrap, make sure you tape it around your goods so that it stays in place. You also want to wrap as many layers as possible.
The same rules apply to the bubble wrap that is used as a protective sheath and covers the sides and the bottom of the box or container.
3. Protecting the Inside of the Box
Apart from using bubble wrap, there are other options to use to protect the inside of the box.
You can use "peanuts" which are styrofoam pellets that can provide a protective layer for your goods. Make sure you fill the box as much as possible. Other fillers can include crumpled paper, trash bags, or air pillows.
Once you have protected the inside of the box, you should close it but do not seal it. Shake the box as vigorously as you can to see if the goods are moving around.
Ideally, they should move as little as possible or not at all. If you feel that shaking it will damage the goods, then it means you have insufficient protection.
4. Sealing Your Box
Once the inside of your box has been taken care of, it is time to look at the outside of your box. You need to make sure that it is sealed properly.
You want to use a strong tape - with duct tape being the obvious great choice. You want to add layers of the tape over the closing of the box. You should also add tape from the bottom of the box and stretch it over to the top. This should create a "+" design over your box.
Whatever tape you do use, it should be waterproof.
You also want to make sure that FRAGILE is written or stamped on your box. Write or stamp it several times all over the box and in large print. Shake your box to ensure that there is not a lot of movement. If there is, you need to remove your tape and fix the inner protection before resealing the box.
5. A Box in a Box
This is optional, but if you wish to take an additional precaution, you can place your box in a larger box. If you did use a box, you can also keep it in a shipping container if you are sending it to a much further distance.
If you do this, once again, give it a shake to make sure there is not a lot of movement.
6. Use the Best Service
A lot of the precautions will revolve around using the best service. While using USPS may be the obvious choice, we recommend you look for private mailing and delivery services if the option is available to you.
Using an established company such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL (for international shipping) is the best route to go. There may even be smaller companies that take precautions when shipping your goods. But you want to make sure that you do your research.
Ideally, you should call the company beforehand and explain what you are planning on shipping and where you are sending it. You should ask the customer service representative on how they will ship your goods and how they will ensure its protection.
You should also opt for a service that provides insurance, package tracking, requiring a signature from your recipient, etc. You want to use a service that has excellent customer service. You want to have the option to speak to a customer service representative from before you ship your goods to when they reach your recipient.
7. Get Consultation
To continue on the previous point, if your goods have any special requirements (temperature requirements, increased fragility, etc.) you need to ask your shipping service if they can adhere to these requirements.
The shipping service can also give you suggestions on how to protect your goods. If they have shipped similar goods before, you should ask them for their advice - as they may have additional precautions they can suggest for you.
Ready to Send
Now that you know how to ship large items, you are ready to send your products to the world. Just make sure to budget for the high costs of shipping large packages and products.
Looking to learn more about ways to succeed as a company? Be sure to explore our site for more great content on running a business with lean logistics!
