How to pack a parcel
Safe packing techniques and tips
In order to avoid damage to the goods, it is important that the packaging is done correctly. Here are some tips for safe shipping.
During transport, the goods must be able to withstand blows, stresses, pressures or falls from a height of about 1.5 meters.
The consequences deriving from failure to comply with the guidelines could lead to:
- Damage to the goods
- The tampering of the goods
- Wasting the goods
- The postponements or delays of deliveries
- The loss of the rights to claim insurance’s reimbursement
1. External envelope
Always opt for quality, resistant and rigid outer packaging . Better to prefer a box to plastic containers. To pack a package, you must start with a quality box – sturdy and new. Don’t save on the box quality!
Corrugated cardboard is the best choice . It is important that the cardboard is strong. It is recommended to use a new box, instead of recycling a used one.
The box must have adequate dimensions for the goods to be shipped . Boxes that are not adequately filled could easily bend or be damaged, while those that are excessively full risk breaking.
The transport company does not offer any guarantee based on the information on the packaging (e.g. fragile, etc.)
2. Inner packing
Correct internal packaging is just as important as external packaging. It is important that it can protect the goods in the event of jolts, bumps , and that it has the function of cushioning any shocks to the goods.
Sheets of expanded polyethylene
Excellent solution for the protection of surfaces and with high capacity to absorb shocks. Especially indicated for packing a parcel containing light goods.
Bubble wrap sheets
Having bubbles containing air, they act as a shock absorbing cushion and are perfect for light goods of any shape or size
Inflatable packaging
These are packagings that inflate through air pressure, protecting them from possible shocks, enveloping the items and insulating the goods from the external temperature.
Mouldable foam
Ideal solution for packing a package that needs a protective coating. Applicable to any goods, it protects corners and edges, providing a solid protection.
Wrapping paper
It is used by creating a furring of about 5cm by crumpling the paper around the goods.
Filler chips in polystyrene / Expanded polyethylene (PE) / Expanded foam (EPS) /eps (PU)
These are very light products with high shock-absorbing performance and which, after compression, return to their initial shape.
Shaped foam
It is also referred to as foam rubber or known as sponge rubber.
Corrugated cardboard
It consists of a cardboard formed by 2 or 3 layers which protects the goods by creating a thickness.
Modular packaging
A solution that consists of inserting one box inside another, in order of size.
Pallet
It is a pallet or platform on which various goods or loads are placed.
Angular and protective profiles
Ideal for protecting the edges of objects such as furniture, paintings, etc.
3. Seal properly
- H-shaped sealing: using the adhesive tape, go through all the openings, drawing an H. The sealing must take place on all sides of the box, both upper and lower.
- A tape with a minimum width of 50 mm will be used to properly seal the box or package. Buy a quality product and also fix it in the grooves, if any, in order to seal perfectly.
- To limit the risk of the cardboard being damaged, it is better to apply plastic or cardboard protections along the outer edges of the box .
4. Travel documents
Make sure you put the waybill prominently on the box. Upon collection, the driver scans the label. If present, remove any old labels from the packaging.
5. What kind of goods do you want to ship?
For different types of goods, the appropriate type of packaging will correspond, suitable for protecting the same goods during the journey.
Here are some protection tips that allow you to pack a package with maximum safety and protect the goods. The choice of protection depends on the shipment.
Glass bottles
To pack a package to be shipped containing glass bottles, it is advisable to use adequate packaging, subject to approval and approval by the carriers, as it is necessary to pack them so that they do not move inside the box:
- Make sure the bottle is intact and that there are no damages or closure defects.
- Each bottle must be lined with absorbent and water-repellent materials.
- Arrange the bottles inside crates equipped with dividers and elements to fix them, polystyrene tubes or polyethylene inner tube packaging systems.
- Any use of packaging with newspaper or bubble wrap will not be considered suitable.
- It is preferable to ship bottles with liquid separately, compared to goods of different types (books, clothing, etc.).
Use for packaging
Foam
Polystyrene
Modular Packaging
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Aluminum milk
With SpedizioneComoda.com you can also send cans made of materials such as aluminum, containing oil for example, with a maximum capacity of 5 liters. It is preferable that each package to be sent contains a maximum of 10 liters of oil, for the convenience of transport by couriers and to avoid damage during shipment.
- Make sure that the cans are intact and that there are no damages or breaks in the closure system.
- Protect the cans with a sheet of Styrofoam and fill any spaces or voids in the package with the Styrofoam. Avoid that the cans can hit each other.
- A final layer of polystyrene can be placed on top of the cans: it will now be possible to close and seal the box with adhesive tape.
- It is preferable not to put goods such as clothing or books in the box, for example mixing them together with cans of oil and/or other liquids.
Use for packaging
Foam
Polystyrene
Modular Packaging
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Fragile Goods
Packing fragile goods requires special care and attention. Fragile goods can be shipped by express courier. The packaging plays a fundamental role in guaranteeing the integrity of the goods. Keep in mind that all goods, even fragile ones, are transported in the hubs, using machines and automatic belts, therefore they must be able to support any free fall from about 1.50 m.
- If you intend to ship fragile items, it is better to use two-layer corrugated cardboard boxes, in order to offer adequate protection from shocks and allow for the possible overlapping of other boxes, without the risk of damage to your goods.
- At the base of the box, insert filler, as well as the sides and top, to protect fragile goods that are at least 5cm thick and to avoid shifting or the risk of the goods being jostled in transit.
- Use foam cushions that wrap the goods and protect them from jolts or bumps. All you need to do is insert one at the base and one above the product.
Use for packaging
Foam
Polystyrene
Modular Packaging
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Paper
Paintings
If you have to send a package containing paintings with protective glass, apply “X”-shaped adhesive tape on top, to avoid dispersion of glass fragments, in case of breakage.
The ideal way to pack a parcel to be sent with pictures is with large bubble wrap. Then wrap the painting with at least a double layer of bubble wrap, to offer maximum protection during transport, in the event of bumps or shacking.
- The use of polyethylene foam corners will serve to protect the corners from knocks and bumps.
- The picture can be housed in special modular containers in rigid corrugated cardboard, equipped with a layer of internal padding.
Use for packaging
Modular Packaging
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Cardboard
Exhibitors
The exhibitor must be placed in a cardboard box or inside a plywood container.
- Add around 5cm of Styrofoam on all sides to create a protective base.
- The polystyrene balls or air cushions will serve to fill the spaces and stop the product, avoiding displacements or bumps.
Use for packaging
Pallet
Foam rubber
Angular
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Cardboard
Electronic devices
When sending computers and other electronic devices, the package to be shipped should be packaged using the original manufacturer’s packaging. In fact, the item to be shipped should be placed inside another box, using internal protective material.
- Most of the time the box that contained the device is reused for shipping, however please note that reusing packaging may cause damages to the contents of the shipped package.
- To limit the risk of damage to the goods during shipment, it is better to protect them with shaped foam or foam cushions.
- Make sure that the goods in the package are at least 5 centimeters away from the edge of the box. By doing so, bumps or shacking will not damage the items.
- When shipping electronic products, it is better not to use polystyrene, a possible source of static electricity that could damage the device.
Use for packaging
Foam
Foam rubber
DO NOT use materials such as
Polystyrene
Pallets or Furniture
SpedizioneComoda.com does not offer moving services. However, you can ship furniture and other bulky personal belonging that fall into the category of non-standard large parcels . To pack a large parcel of bulky and non-standard goods, you must comply with the following:
- Use pallets to facilitate the movement of goods both for pick-up and during transport to the hubs and finally when out for delivery.
- For the protection of the corners, use low density polyethylene foam corners.
- Apply molded foam or foam cushions around the furniture to be shipped.
- The piece of furniture can be housed in a cardboard or plywood container, applying at least 5 cm of polystyrene on all four sides, as a protective base. With polystyrene chips and/or air cushions you can instead fill the empty spaces and ensure the perfect locking of the piece of furniture inside the packaging.
- Wrap the goods on the pallet with stretch film to prevent movement or shifting.
Use for packaging
Angular
Pallet
DO NOT use materials such as
Plain paper
Brochures, Folders, Documents
If you need to send drawings, documents, maps, blueprints, papers, etc., we advise you to:
- Insert the product inside a protective plastic bag, to protect from humidity
- Introduce the product inside a container or other type of punch, which has a closure, or in a specific tube for this kind of goods, and suitable for the protection of documents that are not folded or can be rolled up.
Use for packaging
Modular Packaging
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Paper
Vinyl or CD
To send a package containing drawings, maps, documents, papers, blueprints, etc., you must:
- Pack the goods to be sent in a lockable die-cut box.
- For the external packaging, use a double corrugated cardboard box, applying on all sides the sides of approximately 5 cm of polystyrene for protection during transport.
- Better to pack each product separately and use dividers.
Use for packaging
Modular Packaging
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Paper
Books
The books must be packaged in resealable punched cardboard.
- To pack, use a cardboard box, preferably corrugated, applying approximately 5 cm of polystyrene on all sides, which will be useful for protecting the package during transport.
- We recommend packing each item separately and using dividers.
Use for packaging
Modular Packaging
DO NOT use materials such as
Bubble wrap
Plain envelope
Sporting Goods
To ship sporting goods, it is necessary to wrap them one by one in plastic bubble sheets that are able to protect the surfaces and avoid damage. It is a protection also suitable for light objects, and which is suitable for packing a parcel to protect many types of product, of any size.
- To protect the edges.
- Items must be packed individually, on all sides, including corners.
- Make sure you wrap each product in about 5cm of laminated foam, placing it about 5cm away from the box. In this way you will limit the risk of damage resulting from shocks and protect the products from shacking and vibrations.
- Make sure you use the right amount of paper to prevent the contents from being jostled in transit.
Use for packaging
Foam
Angular
Bubble wrap
DO NOT use materials such as
Plain Paper
Bicycles
Before packing the package to be sent containing a bicycle, make sure you have disassembled and unscrewed the pedals, wheels, saddle and handlebars. These items must be packaged separately. Don’t forget to collect screws and bolts inside a bag, to be attached with adhesive tape to one of the parts of the bicycle. By doing so you will facilitate the reassembly operation.
- Wrap the bike components individually in bubble wrap until adequate protection is achieved.
- Use a double corrugated cardboard box if possible, applying approximately 5 cm of polystyrene on the sides, which will improve protection during transport.
- Check that the edges of the various accessories do not collide with each other and that there are no voids that could cause movement during transport. Use shaped foam or Styrofoam chips.
Use for packaging
Foam
Angular
Bubble wrap
DO NOT use materials such as
Paper
Games Toys
Pack items separately with plastic sheets to protect surfaces from scratches or other damage. It is a protection system suitable for any other product, of any shape or size.
- Protect the edges carefully.
- Separate items from each other on all sides, including top and bottom.
- Make sure you wrap each product in 5cm of plastic foam foil, placing it a minimum safe distance from the box. In this way you will limit the risk of damage resulting from shocks and protect the products from shocks and vibrations.
- Use the appropriate number of sheets that can ensure proper protection of the items.
Use for packaging
Foam
Angular
Bubble wrap
DO NOT use materials such as
Paper
Wheels, tyres, spare parts
Pack the products separately in plastic sheets with small air bubbles that guarantee perfect protection of the surfaces and against scratches. It is a protection system not only for light objects, but also for any other product, of any shape and size.
- Carefully protect the sharp parts.
- Separate items from each other on all sides, including top and bottom.
- Make sure you wrap each product in 5cm of plastic foam, placing it a minimum safe distance from the box. In this way you will limit the risk of damage resulting from shocks and protect the products from shacking and vibrations.
- Use the appropriate number of sheets that can ensure proper protection of the items.
- If you have to pack a package to be shipped with doors, bonnets or fenders, it is better to use rigid packages that do not deform. In fact, the packaging must be able to adequately protect the product, preventing it from moving.
- To ship tires by express courier, use crates, pallets or boxes. Finally, remember that the cost of shipping is calculated based on size and weight.
Use for packaging
Foam
Bubble wrap
Angular
DO NOT use materials such as
Paper
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