Before your start
Proper packing tips are a crucial step in ensuring your goods get from one location to the next in a safe and respectable manner. Under no circumstances should you ship your goods without proper protection. Too many claims and damages arise from improper packaging. The eradication of packaging errors may eliminate or reduce your carrier’s liability. You should never ship hazardous materials on common carriers.
What you should do
Select a sturdy pallet that is strong enough to support the load of your shipment. If an individual piece weighs over 70kg it should be secured to the pallet with either metal strapping or unbreakable plastic straps. Clearly label the items being transported with a start and end destination. Spell out every detail, even ones that may seem insignificant. The more information that you can provide to your freight broker, the more closely they will be able to match your needs to just the right carrier.
One of our top packing tips that always go unheeded is that if you reuse a box, then please remove or eliminate any old shipping labels.
When loading a pallet you should always use a strong box and secure wrapping to protect your contents with strong tape designed for shipping. Stack all boxes or cartons in columns on the pallet. Protect the interior of the box of the item you are shipping with newspaper, foam padding, shipping “peanuts,” bubble wrap, or shredded paper.
Seal the box strongly using packing tape. If this has been tampered with, it becomes evident immediately. With more and more shippers utilising the consolidation power of shipping companies to save on freight costs, the freight will be loaded in a more professional manner to maximise storage capacity. This means that all of your outbound freight should be packed tightly and securely to minimise the volume required inside a container to transport your freight.
When shipping multiple items, pack cushioning between each item.
What you shouldn’t do
Do not use bags made of fabric or cloth for packaging your goods. Never pack items and leave them loose assuming they will make their destination intact.
Do not over seal your package. Remember that all shipments can be opened by customs authorities for inspection.
Do not consider “Fragile” and “Handle with care” labels as a substitute for careful packaging. They are only appropriate for information purposes. See our gallery of items that were unprofessionally packed and the reasons why: How not to Pack
Health & Safety
Always pack heavy items into small boxes (unless they exceed 70kg – then they require a different format for transportation). It will make transporting the boxes easier if they are not too heavy. If packing items into individual boxes you must keep the weight to a minimum to avoid any back injuries.
Find and establish a strong work surface at approximately waist height. This will enable you to pack in a standing position and thus avoid strain on your back.
Make sure all your cargo is well secured to the pallet and that it is strong enough to take the load weight. Overloading the weight can be very dangerous.
