3 Ways To Ensure Safe Product Packaging And Shipping

Online shopping has grown steadily as people’s shopping habits have changed. In fact, according to a forecast, the e-commerce industry is expected to reach USD$6 billion in sales by 2024. As a result, more businesses are shifting to online commerce, which may help companies increase their sales by attracting more customers. 

With the e-commerce growth, more companies are giving more value to how they package and ship their products. The packaging of a product should ensure the product’s safety while in transit between facilities, and during storage. Instead of having an in-house delivery team, entrepreneurs usually opt for different delivery options, such as getting local couriers or shipping container transport, which are cost-effective and efficient. 

Assessment Is Key 

Businesses are exploring more ways to package their merchandise safely while maintaining their brand aesthetic. Different products come in various shapes and sizes, so choosing the right packaging will help ensure it arrives in one piece. The weight of the item should also be considered when choosing between small or large cardboard boxes. 

Every delivery is crucial for an online business to earn profit and maintain its customers. If you want to make sure your products are packed well, here are three ways to ensure safe product packaging and shipping: 

1. Cushion And Fill  

Before a package gets to the customer, it travels through many shipping centers, especially for international shipments. Boxes that are loosely packed might leave items to move around each other, which may cause breakage or damages. One way to prevent this is by wrapping the products in cushions such as bubble wraps or plastic wrap. 

Moreover, to prevent the products from bouncing around, it’s best to fill the gaps with filler materials such as cardboard or crumpled paper. Keep in mind to use an appropriate number of fillers since using them excessively may cause the box to burst while being shipped. Moreover, air pillows and foam inserts may be used to block larger gaps. 

2. Choose The Right Packaging 

If you’re a frequent online shopper, you’re probably familiar with the different packaging types used for your orders. Depending on the size and quantity of items, parcels may come in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Plastic or polyurethane bags are usually used for small and light items. It can also be used for items with an irregular shape such as toys or slippers.

On the other hand, cardboard boxes may be used in heavier merchandise or small fragile items. For example, perfume bottles or makeup products may break easily, so it’s best to use a small box to ship them. Larger items such as luggage or storage racks should be placed in big cardboard boxes.

3. Properly Seal It 

Another way to guarantee your package’s safety is by ensuring you have sealed it tightly. When sealing boxes, it’s best to use an appropriate length and width of tape that covers the ends and edges. In some instances, it may be necessary to tape the entire box to prevent items from getting wet or to add to the strength of the box for heavier items.

Companies usually use packing tape or brown plastic tape to seal their packages, since these are more adhesive to cardboard compared to duct tape. Meanwhile, the plastic pouches used for packaging usually have adhesive strips that can be used for sealing. It’s best to make sure the strip is fastened tightly so it doesn’t open up during shipping and handling.  

For Extra Fragile Items 

High-value or breakable items, such as vases or glassware, are more prone to breaking compared to products made in plastic or metal. For this, the item may be boxed first before placing them inside another cardboard box used for shipping. This is referred to as the box-in-box packing method, which uses another box to protect the item instead of using just a wrapping cushion. The outer box is then filled with loose-fill peanuts or crumpled newspaper to prevent the inner box from moving. 

The Takeaway 

With the demand brought by online shoppers, more companies are turning to e-commerce to increase their sales. With this growth, companies are considering ways to safely pack and ship their products. Companies should assess their product first, such as its size and weight, before choosing the right packaging. 

It’s best to wrap items in cushions and use fillers for loosely-packed boxes. Plastic pouches may be used in small items while cardboard boxes may be used in packing larger items. Meanwhile, for fragile items, using the box-in-box method may be more beneficial. Lastly, using adhesive tapes, such as packaging tape or brown plastic, is another way to ensure the package’s safety.