How to pack your parcel ready for a courier
Are you sending a package by courier? If so, these tips for making sure its packaged correctly will help ensure it arrives in perfect condition.
1. Start by choosing an appropriately sized box. Too big and it may collapse if it's stacked with a heavier item, too small and it could split under the strain.
2. Make sure the box you use isn't poor quality or old. While a good courier service will ensure your package is well looked after, it still may need to be staked with other ideas and a box that isn't sturdy could tear.
3. If in any doubt, go for a corrugated cardboard box. They're usually the strongest and any additional cardboard could even be used to reinforce the walls of the box.
4. If you are sending something valuable and breakable, then you need to add some cushioning in the box that surrounds the item. Bubble wrap or foam tend to be the preferred shock-absorbers, but screwed up newspaper may also do the trick.
5. If your item is particularly fragile, then always make sure its in the middle of the box, so it can be properly cushioned (see point 4). If its nearer to one side of the box than the other, it could be more susceptible to damage.
6. Take a look at your package. Does the box look secure? Will it survive without ripping or tearing? If not, consider taping up the vulnerable areas of the box, such as the seams and edges.
7. If you are dealing with a vulnerable or fragile item and it could be protected by being kept the right way up, make sure you've clearly labelled the package with the words 'This way up' and an arrow!
8. If the item is already in its own packaging, such as a toy, then it may seem okay to just cover it in brown parcel paper and leave it at that. However, for extra reassurance, it's always better to put it in a larger box. It will make it easier to stack for the courier team and you can include other items in the box, such as a note.
9. If you happen to be sending liquids or powders of any kind, then there are extra considerations to take. For starters, you need to ensure all lips and tops of containers are tightly fastened before you start packing the parcel. You then need to use considerable cushioning (see point 4) to ensure there is no damage.
10. Again, when it comes to liquids, it's a good idea to try and pack them separately to other items. That way, if there is a leak, it won't ruin the entire contents of the package. If this isn't feasible, at least make sure the item is well packed and consider using sealable bags round both items to minimise any problems.
Once you've packaged up your item, you are going to need someone to deliver it. An
international courier can deliver packages all over the UK and around the world, so if you need to get a
parcel to Australia, you can rest easy knowing it will arrive safely.
How to pack your parcel ready for a courier
By: Rob Berry-Smith
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