Make a online shipping may seem like a quick and easy practice, and it certainly is, but it is one that hides some pitfalls and requires some specific attention, especially in one of its phases. The stage we are referring to is that of packing, i.e. the moment when the package to be shipped is prepared for the time of actual dispatch.
Under the term insidious we mean that there are various risks involved in incorrect packaging, risks that also depend on the type of product that is contained within the package. But what specifically are these risks?
- The first among these risks (and also the most obvious to imagine) is the possible damage that a poorly packaged parcel may suffer. Shipments are transported in means of transport that try to ensure the least possible movement of parcels, but the risk of mishaps or accidents is always just around the corner. For this reason, in order to avoid the risk of damage to the parcel - and consequently also to its contents - it is necessary to carefully and accurately pack it.
- Another risk of incorrect packaging depends, as we said, on the type of product contained within the package. There are dangerous products such as perfumes, which can contain dangerous and flammable substances: if not packaged well, these parcels can put at risk not only the shipment and the parcel itself, but also the health of those handling the shipment.
- Finally, a further risk caused by incorrect packaging may be the non-delivery of the parcel, due to the fact that the contents of the parcel may have been lost or due to the fact that the shipping labels are not as accurate as they should be. This aspect is also very important and must be taken care of.
Now that we have seen what risks are involved in incorrectly packing a parcel to be sent, it is time to understand what is the correct way to pack a parcel to be sent: we will explain this in the next section; later, at the end of this article, we will provide advice tailored to the contents of the parcel to be sent.
How to pack a parcel to be shipped correctly
Whether classic parcel shipments or international shipments, the packing phase of the parcel to be shipped is always a delicate phase and, for this reason, must be approached with the right care and dedication. In this paragraph, we will list the points to which you should pay most attention during the packing phase, which are as follows.
- La choice of box is the first point to take into account and may seem simple, but it is not. The box is one of the main elements when it comes to packing a parcel to be shipped, since it is the element that contains the contents of the parcel and protects it during transport (which is done by express courier, among which we have for example the BRT courier). For this reason, the choice of box must be made with care, thinking about the object to be shipped and the mode of transport it will face.
- L’actual packaging of objects, which consists of wrapping everything in the package to be shipped. In this sense (as for the box), the exact measurements and dimensions of the objects to be sent must be taken into account, but not only that: attention must also be paid to their material, which may be more or less fragile, and account must be taken of their shape, which may be more or less irregular. Lastly, one must choose which material to use for this packaging, which can be made of bubble wrap, newspaper and so on.
- Also the’outside of box must be taken care of with some care: from this point of view, attention must be paid to the labels and everything written on the outer surface of the box, so that the express courier appointed for the shipment has all the information to perform a correct and effective service.
As for the tools useful to use during the packing phase, the list is not that thick and is as follows:
- a box, which (as we have said) must be chosen carefully;
- wrapping material, among which we mention pluirballs, polystyrene sheets and newsprint;
- a pair of scissors;
- strong scotch;
- if necessary, a box cutter.
How to care for the packaging depending on the contents of the parcel to be sent
In the previous section, we saw how important it is to pack a parcel correctly and we devoted our attention to the most important elements and the tools to be used during this phase. In this section, however, we will look at how some of the items that are most frequently sent via the online shipping service should be packed.
So let's start with the packaging of the foodIn this case, before thinking about the packaging of the parcel, it is necessary to check whether the products to be shipped are indeed suitable for shipment; once this has been verified, one can proceed with the packaging, which must take into account all the risks we have already mentioned. For this reason, the packaging of foodstuffs requires a strong box and a lot of wrapping and filling material, which minimises the risk of something toppling over and damaging the rest of the contents of the parcel.
The packaging of clothes, on the other hand, is much easier, since these products tend to be soft and are much more difficult to damage. In spite of this, however, the packaging of clothes involves other risks, such as that of them getting wet during transport: this is why, here too, the choice of the right box is essential, as is the presence of plastic bags to hold all the clothes individually.
Finally, we analyse the packaging of the books, which (as opposed to clothes) are very heavy objects at risk of damage. It goes without saying, therefore, that the box must be resistant to the weight of all the books it will contain, and a very good tip, to prevent the corners or details of the books from being damaged, is to use bubble wrap to protect them from possible knocks or damage.
