Top packing tips

It’s worth the effort to ensure that you have packaged items for transit very carefully. Use these packing tips to make sure your parcel arrives at its destination in the same condition as when it was packed.

Avoid overloading and keep the weight balanced

Avoid overloading. This is easy to do if you are trying to send a large or heavy item. Think about the person who will be handling the package. To avoid injuries, most firms limit the weight of each box to 30kg. The lighter the package, the less likely that it will be dropped or handled roughly. Fabric tape is better for sealing heavy boxes than the standard brown tape.

Try to keep the weight in your box balanced. Weight imbalances can cause instability, and even your box to fall over.

Protecting fragile items with the right packaging

You’ll want to leave two inches around fragile or breakable items. It is better to use bubble wrap or polystyrene instead of newspaper or shredded papers as this offers better cushioning.

The box should be large enough. It’s best to use a box that is a little bigger than what you need. You can then use lots of packaging inside the box to keep your items secure. For tamper proof packing, consider a Security Seal from https://acmeseals.co.uk/

You want the box to be secure inside. Poor internal packaging is the main reason for goods being damaged during transit. Don’t cut corners on it.

When you have to send several items to the same destination, it is better to divide the weight over multiple packages than to try to fit them all into one.

Another tip is to use a piece of cardboard as a seal under each box. The contents will not be damaged if the recipient uses a knife to cut the box tape.

Labelling, timing and reusing boxes safely

Always write clearly and concisely on the box, just in case the label falls off. Cover the address with clear adhesive tape to protect labels. Don’t forget to include your return address.

Be prepared for busy periods, especially during holidays when you need to deliver parcels. Organise your parcels ahead of time, especially at Christmas to make sure they reach their destination on time.

Box smart – While it is fine to use all boxes as long as they’re structurally sound and have no old labels or documentation, you should remove old labels in order to avoid confusion with the courier driver.

Summary

A round-up of practical parcel-packing tips, including avoiding overloaded or unbalanced boxes, using bubble wrap or polystyrene and a tamper-proof security seal for fragile or valuable items, dividing heavy shipments across multiple boxes, writing addresses clearly with protective tape, planning ahead for busy periods such as Christmas, and removing old labels before reuse.

Questions this article raises

• How much weight can a typical parcel safely carry before it needs splitting?
• What’s the best way to protect fragile items without excess packaging waste?
• How far in advance should you prepare for peak delivery periods like Christmas?