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How do I package my parcel to protect it from damage?

 

It's vital that your goods are packed well in preparation for shipments going via any courier service. That way, if they do get damaged (thankfully, it's rare) you can make a claim against the courier company. Parcel sent via courier companies are passed between conveyor belts and handled by robots, so your parcel needs to be robust enough to withstand automated handling.

If your item is fragile eg. glass, we can't advise you to send your goods via a courier service. If you do, it will be at your own risk.

Because things do sometimes go wrong, P4D automatically offers cover against loss or damage on every shipment you send as part of our customer service focus. You can buy extra cover without breaking the bank, should you need it.

P4D Tip: Take photos of your shipment before you send it. If you need to make a claim against the courier company you can send these on to us to prove that your goods were adequately packed and the box of good quality. The label with the booking number should be visible in your photo to avoid any dispute.

  • Bubble wrap
    Courier companies deliver tens of thousands of parcels every day to destinations all around the world. You need to prepare your parcel for the journey because it won't be singled out. Wrap every item you send in bubble wrap and if you're sending more than one item make sure you wrap them individually. If you don't wrap them individually the items may knock against one another in transit and damage one another.

  • Invest in the right box
    It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but investing in a high quality, corrugated box could be the difference between your parcel arriving with or without damage. Packaging is king. A flimsy, ripped and unsubstantial box simply won't stand up to conveyor belts. If you're running a business look out for the Box Makers Certificate (BMC) when buying boxes in bulk.

  • Cushioning
    You've wrapped your items individually in bubble wrap, you have a good box, now you need to secure your items inside the box, so they can't move around when they're being passed between conveyor belts. In essence, the box should be large enough to hold the contents separately inside with plenty of space around them, so they don't touch each other and they don't touch the side of the box.

  • Double up
    To prevent your goods from touching the sides of the box, create walls inside the box. Put in a thin layer of cushioning like polystyrene, for example, in the bottom of the box and place over the top of it a layer of corrugated cardboard. Insert more cardboard panels near the edges of the box and fill the gap with cushioning. Put your goods inside the box and surround them with cushioning. Place another layer of cardboard over the top of them before finishing off with another thin layer of cushioning before sealing the box.

  • Seal it shut
    Shut the box tight with strong, plastic tape that won't split under pressure, or paper tape that is water activated. Don't be stingy with the tape. It should be at least 50mm wide to offer greater support.

  • Keep it clean
    Strings, cord, ribbons, and other practical or decorative packing features may look nicer, but they create havoc with the automated sorting equipment used by international couriers. Also make sure the shipping labels and address label doesn't sit over a fold or seam of the box - make sure it's on a flat part of the box where it won't become obscured if tape comes away or a fold in the box becomes more prominent.

  • Send parcels separately
    If you have two parcels to send to the same place that can't go in to one box, send them as two separate parcels - never strap them together. If you sent two parcels as one and one came away, this could result in a loss and you won't be compensated. As far as the courier company is concerned, there was one parcel and one parcel was delivered, so if you have two parcels, send them separately.

Environmentally friendly packaging.

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