How do you package items for shipping?

It is worth spending time choosing the correct packaging and using smart shipping methods. These simple tips and tricks will help you cut costs, save time spent on packing and offer the best form of protection for your shipment.

Man unpacking a parcel

1. Choose the correct packaging

Choose boxes that are a suitable size for your items without too much unnecessary space in the parcel. The shipping cost depends on the size, volume and weight of the parcel. So don’t pay for air and empty space.

Try a few different sizes and types of boxes that are suitable for most of your goods. Make these your «standard boxes” that you use for most of your orders.

2. Standardise your packing process

Create clear guidelines for the packing station and good routines for packing items in an optimal way.

Create checklists that describe and explain each step of the packing process. Your staff will then learn the necessary steps, from choosing the right box size and how each product should be placed inside the box, to how to attach the labels correctly and how to label the parcels before they are dispatched.

3. Organise your stock as efficiently as possible

You can save a lot of time by arranging the packing area and shelves in a smart way. Keep the distance to your best-selling products and promotional goods to a minimum by moving them next to the packing area. Another smart idea might be to pre-pack the most popular goods and place them on shelves where they are readily accessible.

Do you have products that are often sold together? Make sure they are close together on the warehouse shelves.

Another good way to save time is to label shelves and rows with clear signs so that no one wastes time searching for the products.

Aisle in a warehouse between two rows of shelves

You save a lot of time and frustration by setting up a packing zone where all the tools you need to pack and package your items are organised in a neat and logical way (scissors, packing knives, tape, labels, etc.).

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4. Be well prepared ahead of peak sales periods

Everyone who works in online stores knows that sales will increase considerably in the weeks that kick off Christmas sales (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). There are also other periods during the year that are more hectic than others. It is a good idea to be ready for these periods by preparing the packaging and materials that you’ll be using.

Make sure you are well prepared before the peak period begins by putting boxes together, filling them with cushioning material and preparing anything else that will be needed.
If you expect or know that you will be selling large quantities of any particular products, you can pack lots of them in advance. The more of these jobs you can do in advance, the easier it will be to ensure that your customers receive their orders on time.

5. Invest in quality packaging

Don’t be tempted to cut corners when it comes to purchasing boxes and other packaging. The extra money you spend on good quality packaging can save you unnecessary costs for damaged and broken goods.

Three brown parcels in a group

Strong, sturdy boxes offer greater protection for your products, possibly enabling smaller sizes to be used, which can result in lower shipping costs.

6. Communicate your delivery terms and conditions very clearly

Don’t forget to give your customers good answers to their questions about shipping and delivery.

Create a FAQ page that covers common questions about packing, shipping, returns and delivery times.
Remember to update the FAQ page to reflect real circumstances and any changes during the peak periods. You should also remember to include information that may feel a little uncomfortable, such as information about major delays.

7. Avoid delays by ensuring that address details are correct

Make sure your customers’ address details are correct. When you send a mobile number to your carrier, your customers will receive up-to-date information on the status of their shipment.

Checking the format of e-mail addresses, mobile numbers and postal codes, etc. helps ensure that the parcels reach their intended destination.
Make sure that labels and markings on the parcel are correct. There is some good advice here on how to make sure that barcodes and labels are correct and properly attached. This can minimise the number of parcels that your carrier has to handle manually.

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Whether you are starting an online store or mapping existing practices, it is always worth reviewing your procedures for packing and shipping. You can make significant long-term savings in both time and money by making these processes as efficient as possible.

Parcel Monkey can help you find a reliable courier to ship your parcel, but it’s down to you to prepare the package before it’s shipped.

Your parcel will travel with thousands of others through warehouses and sometimes airports, so robust packaging is essential to ensure your item arrives safely.

Unsure how to wrap a package for shipping? Don’t worry, we’ve put together some tips and advice to help you out.

How to wrap a package for shipping

Vnější obal

Package all items in suitable boxes and securely seal using strong parcel tape.
Heavy duty or corrugated cardboard boxes should be used for shipping, ideally new ones*. For additional protection, double box the item by placing one box inside the other.
Use strong tape around edges of boxes and packets to prevent damage.
Triangular boxes are excellent for tube-shaped objects. Any side can be used as a stable base and the other two sides provide suitable surfaces to locate the barcoded address label.
It is advisable to send any items with ‘display packaging’ in an outer box.

*If you are recycling a used cardboard box, please ensure ALL old stickers or labels from previous shipments have been removed, particularly any stickers related to hazardous materials. Packages marked with hazmat stickers may be returned or destroyed, regardless of the content.

packaging-guide-boxes

Vnitřní obal

Wrap each item in your box individually, as this will offer better protection during transit and reduce the risk of the contents causing damage to other items in the box.
Consider using polystyrene, bubble wrap or even newspaper for internal packaging to prevent movement in the box.
The contents should be ‘fully encased’ by cushioning to prevent direct contact with the outer box.

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Please be aware that insufficient packaging can result in Parcel Monkey or the courier partner not being liable for loss or damage so take your time and ensure your items are adequately protected. A comprehensive Parcel Monkey packaging guide can be found here.

Přepravní štítky

When you’ve placed your order we’ll email you the prepaid shipping label. All you need to do is print it off and securely attach it to the outside of your package. If you can’t access your email you can also print your shipping labels from your Parcel Monkey account.

Customs Documents

For international shipments, 3 copies of the customs documents should be affixed to the outside of the package alongside the label. Ideally, these should be placed in a plastic wallet or envelope, but if you don’t have one a standard envelope marked ‘Customs’ will be fine.

For more information on customs, including how long a package takes to clear customs and what to do if your package is held in customs, read our customs advice page.

Weighing your package

Once your package has been prepared it’s time to weigh it. Don’t be tempted to weigh your item before it’s packed as the packaging must be included in the final weight and dimensions.

Couriers use the dimensional weight of your parcel to work out the cost of shipping. This calculation is done automatically when you enter the correct dimensions and weight of your parcel into our shipping calculator.

packaging-guide-weighing-your-parcel

Things to avoid when shipping a package

Damaged boxes — Weak boxes do not provide the same level of protection as good quality boxes.
Creased boxes/barcodes. The surfaces of damaged or weak boxes are often creased. This increases the likelihood of the barcode on the address label being creased too, which may prevent tracking through our network.
Unboxed items — All items must be suitably packaged for transit.
Open/unsealed boxes — Make sure your package is properly sealed so nothing can fall out during transit.
Suitcases — We don’t advise that suitcases are used for shipping. The handles and wheels can be damaged, overfilled cases can split and frequently the shipping labels or customs documentation can be detached, causing items to be lost. If you do use a suitcase ensure all handles are taped down, there are no wheels on the case and labels are securely fastened along with any customs documents. Insert a shipping label inside the case too.

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Zakázané předměty

When you ship a parcel there are a variety of items which are unsafe to travel through a courier network. To make sure you’re aware of these items, we have a prohibited and restricted items list, which has been put together following the advice of our courier partners. When shipping overseas, you should also check any restrictions that apply to the destination country.

Carrier specific packaging restrictions

Some of our carriers have their own packaging restrictions in place and these should be adhered to when using any service from that carrier. Failure to comply could result in your package being returned, so please take note of the following carrier restrictions:

TrakPak
When sending items through TrakPak, customers are prohibited from shipping parcels packaged in plastic containers.