Sending a proper package can be a challenge. Packing can be natural and easy to many, but a lot of people are clueless about what to do with them.
Some people who shop for courier services sometimes forget that proper packaging helps. It can speed up the shipping process and reduce rejections. This not only makes the courier’s time easier but also can help you ship your items faster.
Sometimes, it’s not all about the courier service. Proper packing can make a world of difference when it comes to your shipment.
In this guide, we give you essential packing tips you need to do on your next parcel. Knowing the right packing tips for shipping can help your needs. It can be the difference a hassle and sending the proper package.
1. Understand Shipping Rules
What you need to learn before you send your items through a Canada courier service is to know your package. Knowing what you’re sending and the rules around those items can reduce the chances of any hassle. Some packages will have different rules, depending on the region and destination.
Make sure to learn the rules that the receiving region need for your items. Some ask for extra protection for shipments like fragile items. Some rules prohibit the delivery of other item types or ask for extra customs tax.
Confirm the rules for the item destination before you send it through courier. This will help deliver your items faster.
2. Protect Your Shipping Box
Among the many packing tips for courier service, you want to make sure you protect your shipment. Your parcel may travel hundreds and even thousands of miles cross country. You can expect some travel wear on the box itself.
It’s crucial that you secure your shipment to prevent it from getting loose. A great tip is to seal the bottom of your box with packing tape. If you have heavy products, increasing the tape on the bottom and seal the edges to reduce wear and tear.
If your courier service has its own special box, take advantage of it. Parcel boxes with special configurations tend to work as intended. Some extra tape for support never hurt, however.
3. Pick the Right Shipping Materials
Another of the packing tips for shipping is to pick the right materials for your package. Choosing the right materials for the parcel itself can improve package security. It will also prevent any problems once you have the parcel with the courier.
First, make sure that you have thick cardboard to handle your shipment. Depending on how heavy your shipment is, you need to make sure you have thick cardboard boxes to accommodate. Thinner, worn-out cardboard can break down with heavy weight.
Special items like fragile parcel will have their own special parcel boxes, providing the right protection. Sure these will cost extra but they will give ample support to your special items. You would also need to make sure that you use industrial-grade packing tape.
4. Pack Your Box Tight
In any shipment, make sure that you pack your box tight and full, reducing the chance for any internal movement. It’s rare to find a box that will be an exact fit for your item. This is why you would need some filler techniques to protect your shipment.
Among packing tips for shipping, make sure that you have a box bigger than the actual item. Make sure to line the inside of the box with a thick layer of bubble wrap to prevent breakage. Line items with newspaper or bubble wrap as well to prevent any scratches and dings.
If you have items that are hollow inside, fill them with cloth or crumpled pieces of paper. This will help stabilize the material itself.
Once you finish, put the package in the parcel box and fill gaps with void filling. You can use any light and soft material to protect the items inside. This includes packing peanuts, airbag packaging, pieces of paper or even Styrofoam.
Before you close the package, line the top with more bubble wrap or soft cloth.
5. Never Underfill or Overfill Your Box
In any event, it’s best to never overfill your box. Proper sealing is essential in preventing your box from spilling out. A box with an overfill will not only damage your items but may cause problems with other shipments too.
Among many packing tips for courier service, under or overfilling is a serious problem that you need to address. If your items are going to underfill the box, use appropriate fillers like packing peanuts. If you are overfilling, reduce the number of items you will deliver or get the next size box.
Over or underfilling your parcel can result in the courier service opening or even rejecting your package. Talk to your local courier on what size boxes they can provide for your items. Odd-sized items can have special boxes that meet shipping needs.
6. Use the Right Shipping Labels
In any case, make sure that your box has the right shipping labels when you’re sending your parcel. If you’re using a Canada courier service, make sure that you have the right labels and address. If you plan on reusing old shipping boxes, tape over old labels and remove any unrelated airway bills.
If possible, remove any old barcodes as well. These barcodes will contain any old information from a previous transaction. Couriers may scan these by accident, which will be a problem.
If you can’t strip out any old barcodes, at least try to blacken them out. Put packing tapes over them and overlay them with your new shipment stickers. This reduces the chances of any scan the wrong sticker.
Why You Need the Right Courier Service for the Job
When it comes to your courier service, make sure that you follow the right packing tips for shipping. These will not only help your parcel get on-time delivery. Proper packing techniques can also make the entire process hassle-free for everyone.
If you’re looking for fast, reliable courier services in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, you need a team you can trust.
Get an edge now. Talk to us today and see how professional delivery works.