Over the years, we have encountered many cases of items damaged during transit as a result of poor packaging. It's very important that your goods are packed well in preparation for shipments going via regular airmail or any courier service. In an unfortunate event, if they still get damaged during transit you can make a claim against the postal service provider1 or courier company. Today, every parcel sent via postal or courier modes is passed down a robotic conveyor belt with no or minimal human intervention, so make sure that your parcel is robust enough to withstand this kind of automated handling.
Here are some useful tips to help senders know what should and should not be done when they prepare their shipments.
- Use Bubble Wrap ®
If you are sending a small item, you may wish to use a zip-lock bag or poly bag to waterproof it. It is inevitable that all shipments are unavoidably subject to shocks during transportation. Wrapping them individually with Bubble Wrap ® will ensure the items don't cause damage to one another.
New eCommerce Merchants often do not know how to choose a correct size box to pack their items? The rule of thumb is to select a box that allows 2 inches of packing cushioning all around the item.
Do not send your shipments in heavily marked boxes. It is recommended that you use good conditioned corrugated boxes. Recycling a box that has collapsed walls will not be able to protect the shipment through the transit.
For small items, senders may also consider placing the items in kraft bubble envelopes or poly bubble mailers.
- Fill the base of the box with cushioning materials
Use loose fills/ foam peanuts or layers of Bubble Wraps ® to cushion your shipment on all sides to make sure it arrives in good shape. Make sure that the contents do not come in to contact with the outer packaging.
- Create a double wall at the bottom of the box
Insert a double corrugated card on top of the loose fill to create a double wall at the bottom of the box.
- Add further cushioning
Add more loose fill or foam peanuts on top of the card in preparation for the item.
- Insert a double wall divider
This will prevent the contents coming into contact with the outer packaging on the sides of the box.
- Surround the wrapped object with cushioning
This will prevent the item from moving during transportation. Cushioning with loose fills, foam peanuts or bubble wrap should be able to absorb the shock and vibrations during transit.
- Insert a card to create another double wall on top
Place a firm card on top of the cushioning material to make sure everything is in place. Also allow some room to place extra cushioning on top.
- Extra protection on top
Protect the upper side of your package by filling up the remaining space with more cushioning material.
- Close the package carefully
Make sure the box is closed carefully, so no cushioning material can get out. Do not overpack the box until it buldges. Using a good quality, rigid box with intact flaps is advisable.
- Close the box securely with strong tape
Seal all sides of your package with pressure-sensitive plastic tape (OPP tapes are recommended), preferably around 2 inches (51mm) in width. It is not recommended to use Masking Tapes to seal up the box. Masking tapes are removable adhesive tapes orginally designed to help painters mask one part of an area while an adjacent area is being worked on.
- Add the finishing touches
Do not use strings or cords: they may get tangled up in an automated sorting equipment. Place your address and shipping labels (preferably printed instead of handwritten) on the top surface of the box, avoid putting them on seams, closures or on the sealing tape.
- Never strap two parcels together
If you have two parts to a delivery, do not strap them together and send them as one parcel as this could result in a loss and you won't be compensated. If you have two parcels, send them separately or find a suitable box to pack them as a single package.
1Sender needs to know that not all range of Postal Services can be compensated. Please check with your local Post Office for further information. In Singapore, no compensation is extended to Regular Local Mail/ Small Packet, Regular Airmail, ePac and Domestic SmartPac.