Whether you regularly handle large deliveries or simply send out the occasional parcel
from work it is a good idea to ensure you have the best packing methods in place so that goods arrive safely and in one piece! A good courier will always handle your parcels with care but the journey from collection to final delivery can be long and bumpy so it is best to be over-cautious when packing your goods.
Firstly you will need to consider what sort of packaging is appropriate for your deliveries. Those sending single parcels may require thick cardboard boxes while those sending sizable deliveries may benefit form wrapping all of the goods on a pallet. When choosing cardboard boxes always go for a size that is a snug fit to prevent the item within from moving around.
Assuming that most items you deliver are irregular shapes you will need to find suitable packing materials to fill the gaps within the box. Try to consider the environment when selecting your packing materials and only use the minimum required. Can your chosen materials be easily reused or recycled?
If you have to deliver any sharp or breakable objects then always make sure these are packed at the centre of the box, away from the sides and corners. This is important not only for the protection for of your valuables but also for the safety of the couriers handling them. Fragile labels and this way up labels can be helpful to couriers but remember these are no substitute for poor packing.
Always label the outside of each parcel clearly with a delivery address and sender address. Each individual parcel within a consignment must be labelled so that it can be easily traced should it become separated from the others. Most good courier services will provide a barcode and consignment number for each of your parcels so that they can be traced using an online system.
In addition to the address labels it is also important to include a delivery note that details the contents within. This will help your customer identify if there are any items missing from the delivery and is also useful when trying to determine which goods have been delivered where. Always keep a copy of the delivery notes and consignment numbers for your reference.
Finally, it is important to remember that no matter how well you pack your goods there is always a risk of damage during transit. Always make sure your courier offers some form of shipment protection and check what the compensation rates are and if these can be adjusted for more valuable shipments.