With internet sales on the increase the use of couriers has risen substantially in recent years. With the volumes they are now expected to cope with & demand for next day & overnight deliveries accounting for a high proportion of traffic, couriers are literally under immense pressure to deliver results whilst remaining competitive. Inevitably shortcuts are taken, often at the expense of the condition of the product in transit.

99.9% of customers will never make contact with their seller & all they will see are the goods they order. Often the state of the packaging on delivery dictates the condition of the product inside & understandably many people will refuse delivery if they consider their purchase to be anything less than perfect. This situation in turn leads to increased cost & aggravation for all three parties.

By ensuring suitable packaging & packaging methods are employed the majority of potential issues can be avoided.

Below is a list of basic points to remember;

Choose the size of the package according to the contents. Under-filled boxes are likely to be crushed, overloaded ones may split.

Whenever possible use the highest quality materials for your shipments.

Remember to consider strength, cushioning, and durability when selecting the packaging materials.

Select boxes & cartons made of corrugated cardboard. Use heavy-duty double walled board for valuable items.

Make use of cushioning & void fill materials, to stop your products from moving around.

Use strapping as a good way to seal and secure your box. Use strong parcel tape if a strapping machine is unavailable.

Place fragile goods in the middle of a package, ensuring they don't touch the sides. Your products should be well cushioned on all sides.

Always ensure any liquids sent are stored in leak free containers, packed with a lightweight &, strong material and sealed with a polythene bag.

Remember that bad packaging can cause damage to adjacent items.

Seal semi liquids, oily or strong odour substances with adhesive parcel tape.

Remember that bad packaging can cause damage to adjacent items.

Place powders and rains in strong polythene bags, securely sealed and then packed in a rigid heavy duty box.

Use "This Way Up" labels for non-solid materials.

Repack retail & gift products properly. Many goods sold in attractive retail packaging may not be suitable for shipping with a courier.

Complete the address clearly and completely, using uppercase letters when handwriting labels to improve readability for courier staff.

When shipping sharp items, ensure the edges and points are fully protected.

Heavy duty cardboard is suitable for this. Ensure the material is fixed securely so that it cannot be accidentally removed in transit & wrap generously.

If re using a cardboard box, remove all adhesive labels first. Ensure that the box is in good shape with no tears or cuts.

Do not use bags made of fabric, Hessian or cloth. Do not over tape your package. Any shipment can be opened by customs authorities for inspection at any time.

Do not use just rope or string to seal your shipment.

Do not consider "Fragile" or "Handle with care" labels as a substitute for quality packaging materials. They are only suitable as an information guide.

Following these guidelines should ensure that your packaging is a positive experience for your customer, courier & you.