Shipping a fragile package but don’t know how to safely ship it?
While courier service has long been a part of our everyday life, it’s far more significant today. Thanks to online shopping and restrictions due to the pandemic, demand for courier services jumped.
Before you use a courier service, check out this guide first. Here are 7 essential factors that you need to consider before deciding to ship a fragile package:
1. Destination of the Fragile Package
The destination of the fragile package helps determine which courier service you should use. Your current courier partner may have a limited delivery range. This is a problem if the package’s destination is outside the state or country.
The destination will also help you determine how much security you need to take and if you can afford it. Some customers may ship fragile packages that are expensive. As such, you may need to get insurance as a precaution, especially when shipping overseas.
2. Medium of Transport
One major issue that you need to sort out when looking to ship fragile items is the mode of delivery. For local shipping, the challenges come down to picking which courier delivery company can provide the safest delivery service.
Meanwhile, options for international shipping can either be through air or sea. The best medium of transport for fragile packages is air freight as it’s quicker.
This lessens the chance of package exposure to damaging elements. The only downside is that they’re quite expensive.
It’s also wise to consider the rules and regulations of shipping in the package’s destination. This is especially true when you’re shipping overseas. Packages shipped offshore undergo customs regardless of the mode of shipment.
Thus you need to find out the paperwork needed and complete it on time. You’ll also have to factor in the tariff and custom fee.
3. Forecasted Weather Condition for the Shipping Time
The greatest threat to fragile packages is the weather conditions it’s exposed to before reaching its destination. While shipping companies do their best to protect your package, there’s only so much that they can do. In the end, exposure to inclement weather such as heavy rain or snow may damage your package.
As such, you must check the weekly weather forecast report before shipping. Limiting the package’s exposure to inclement weather will help protect its content.
If the forecast shows a high chance of heavy snow, consider postponing. If you can’t, make sure to add a lot of extra layers of protection.
4. Proper Packaging
The key to successfully shipping fragile packages lies within the packaging. As such, you have to make sure that you’ve followed protocols in packing fragile goods.
A good rule of thumb is to be keen on the package box that you’ll use. Too large, and the goods inside will have space to roll around, which increases the chance of breaking. While flimsy and too small boxes can cause the goods to get squished and crack under pressure.
It’s ideal to use a packaging box that’s 2 inches bigger than the size of the item. The extra space gives room for cushioning. The farther the destination, the more cushion you’ll need.
For heavy goods, consider using double or triple-walled boxes. This is to make sure that it can endure the weight.
Also, packing fragile goods in used boxes is a big NO. The durability and strength of boxes reduce with every use. This makes it easy to squish, endangering its content.
Further, for multiple goods such as wine glasses, use dividers. Cardboard partitions prove to be effective in preventing items from knocking each other. This reduces the chance of tipping or cracking.
5. Have Shipping Insurance
Expect that there will be unfortunate events during shipping that can cost you a lot. This includes parcel damages, misplacements, or thefts.
Therefore, you must opt to get shipping insurance. This service reimburses you in events where your package gets damaged or lost. As a result, you’ll be able to minimize financial losses and customer discontentment.
Most shipping carriers nowadays offer shipping insurance. However, you can get one from a third party if you have the extra budget. It all boils down to deciding which offers the best terms and conditions.
6. Consider Signing Up for Order Tracking
After shipping, you’ll have to ensure that your package arrived where it should. This period is stressful as there’s the feeling of worry over the condition of the shipped goods. Especially for fragile goods as they’re tough to secure as they’re the most prone to damage.
Lessen your fear by signing up for order tracking services. This will help you oversee a detailed run-down on the status of your shipment.
It’ll alert you of the warehouses it goes through and when it leaves them. It’ll also help you find out whether there are any failures or delays in the delivery of the package.
While you can pay for this service from third parties, a great courier service should be able to give it to you with no extra charges.
7. The Right Courier Service
The future of your fragile package relies on how responsible your courier service is. While you can nail all the six considerations above, a bad courier service may ruin your reputation.
As such, take the time to research the most reputable courier service in your area. Browse through the net and read online reviews to get a grasp of customer experiences. This will help you decide which company to check out and which to avoid.
Hook-Up With 10-21 Sunrise Delivery Today!
If you’re looking for the most reliable service courier for a fragile package in Ottawa, 10-21 Sunrise Delivery is here for you! Partner with us and get a taste of our excellent customer service. We ensure punctual and reliable deliveries with the help of our bonded and accessible employees.
Worried about prices? As a family-owned business, we are willing to tailor competitive prices to meet your demand without compromising our services. Start a flexible and reliable partnership with us to start reaping these benefits by contacting us today!