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How to package your parcels

All parcels must be securely and appropriately packed to ensure that they and the items within arrive in the best possible condition.

Parcels can travel significant distances and can be handled on a number of occasions during delivery. While our carriers will try to take good care of your parcel, it is also your responsibility to ensure that the packaging is sufficient to reduce the chance of damage in transit.

5 key things to remember when packaging a parcel:

1. Select the right packaging materials for the job

Choose the size of the package. according to its content. Under-filled boxes are likely to collapse; overloaded ones may burst.

Use a big enough box. Always use a double-wall box for heavy items. The box needs to be big enough to contain wrapped and protected items Remember that during transit, parcels may get stacked therefore your packaging may need to support the weight of other packages.

Use a strong, good quality box. Choose boxes made of corrugated cardboard that are durable and double-walled. Ideally this should be a packing box specifically designed for being used for shipping. Use a new box where possible; old boxes or boxes that are weak or damaged may fall apart during delivery causing damage or loss.

Don't use substandard or damaged cartons.

Don’t use bags made of fabric or cloth.

Special Cases

Fragile items Use heavy-duty double-layered board for valuable and fragile items.

Plans, maps and blueprints. Use triangular tubes, not round tube-type cylinders, to pack rolled.

2. Protect the item(s) that will be in the parcel

Always use high quality materials for your shipments. Consider strength, cushioning, and durability when selecting your wrapping supplies.

Wrap each item within the container. This will ensure that the contents of the container don't come into contact with each other and cause damage. Particularly protect fragile items.

Allow at least two inches of packing around breakable or fragile Items. Don’t rely on shredded or torn up newspaper - use polystyrene peanuts and bubble wrap.

Special Cases

Powders and fine grains. Place powders and fine grains in strong plastic bags, securely sealed and then packed in a rigid fibreboard box.

Data discs, audio and video-tapes. Protect your data discs, audio and video-tapes with soft cushioning material around each item.

Liquids. Ensure liquids are stored in leak-free containers, packed with a lightweight, strong, internal material (for example, Styrofoam) and sealed with a plastic bag. Always remember that bad packaging may cause damage to surrounding items.

Seal semi-liquids, greasy or strong-smelling substances with adhesive tape, then wrap in grease resistant paper. Always remember that bad packaging may cause damage to surrounding items.

Sharp items. Make sure sharp items (e.g. scissors) are securely wrapped between thick pieces of cardboard to prevent the sharp edge from damaging the packaging or other items.

Flat, fragile material (such as vinyl records). Always use cardboard dividers when shipping flat, fragile material such as vinyl records.

3. Pack the items securely

Ensure there is no movement of items within the box. This is the single biggest reason for damage to contents in transit. Don't allow fragile items inside a package to touch each other.

Balance the weight within the box. An unevenly packed box is more likely to suffer damage due to instability.

Use cushioning materials, such as expanded polystyrene chips, polyethylene foam, bubble plastic, crumpled aircushions or shredded paper to cushion fragile items to stop your packaging contents from moving.

Do not overload. If you are sending particularly big or heavy items do not overload boxes. Lower weight means less chance of goods being heavily handled, (or dropped!)

NEVER tape two items together using tape or similar material, if you have two items that need to be sent in one package then this must be a suitable cardboard box/container.

Special Cases

Fragile items. Put fragile goods in the centre of a package; ensuring they don't touch the sides. Your item should be well cushioned on all sides. Don't allow fragile items inside a package to touch each other. Do not consider "Fragile" and "Handle with care" labels as a substitute for careful packaging. They are only appropriate for information purposes.

Gift items. Repack your gifts properly. Many goods sold in attractive packaging may not be suitable for shipping.

Spread out any valuable items amongst the packages. If you are sending several lots to the same address don't put all your valuable items in the same box.

Small items and flyers Remember always to pack small items and flyers appropriately.

4. Completely seal the box parcel

Use strong and reliable materials to seal parcel. If suitable, use strapping, as a good way to seal and secure your box. Otherwise use packing tape. Do not use cellophane tape (e.g. Sellotape!) Or rope to seal your shipment.

Seal the parcel well. Tape all joints with packing tape and for extra protection seal the corners as well. Heavy boxes should be sealed with a fabric tape rather than brown tape.

Place some scrap cardboard under the final seal of each box. When the knife cuts in to open the box it does not damage the contents. Seal the edges too as this adds stability and reduces the risk of snagging and tampering.

Use "arrow-up" label for non-solid materials.

5. Affix the Senda2b address label to the parcel

Tape label securely to the box.

Make sure the whole label is visible. Do not obscure any part of the delivery address, return address any other label text or barcode or logos with tape. Doing so may delay or prevent the delivery taking place.

Protect the label. Ensure that the address details cannot be smudged or liable to water damage.

If re-using a box, remove all previous labels and stickers. As the drivers go by the labels on the box so a previous label could result in it going to an incorrect address.