Shipping Supplies items can present unique challenges. You need to pack heavier and more secure items than standard shipments. Why? Why? Because heavier cargoes are more likely be moved by forklift than by human power, and to switch trucks multiple times along the route to their destination.
These are the problems you need to avoid. You can do a better job packing. These are some tips that will help you achieve this:
Use a proper pallet to ship your items. It is best to secure heavier items to a pallet. The pallet should be made from wood or plastic, and it should be strong enough to withstand being lifted and hauled.
Choose Durable Packaging. Corrugated cartons should be strong enough to support the weight of full loads of boxes stacked on top. Use only new corrugated boxes that have been sealed with reinforced water activated tape. You can also add extra protection to the interior of your box by using X-Pad to cover the sides, top and bottom of the shipment. The X-pad offers excellent cushioning and bracing for your products. For extra protection, add layers of reinforced water activated tape to the bottom of your box.
Wrap the items in a blanket and cushion them. To prevent heavy items from tilting when being carried, place them in the middle of the box. For extra product protection, wrap them in X-Pad. Any empty spaces in the box should be filled. Use only uncut newsprint or packing papers. They will shrink during shipping. You must ensure that nothing is damaged or lost inside your shipment. It is more likely that heavier items will shift inside a box.
Add another box. Place the box in a larger box than the original and cover the empty space with an X-pad, or air pillows. You should leave at least 2 inches between the outer and inner boxes, depending on the item. Extra clearance is required for fragile items, such as heavy vases. In case of damage or drop, cushioning should be sufficient to protect the item.
Seal the box using water-activated tape. Extra protection is provided by fiberglass reinforced water activated tape. Water-activated tape bonds to corrugated shipping boxes, protecting them from being opened during transport. Tape that isn’t designed for packing won’t protect the package from opening during transit and may permit theft during the trip.
Don’t make boxes too heavy. You might consider breaking up heavy shipments into several boxes and individually wrapping each component. Heavy boxes are more likely than light ones to be damaged in shipping and pose a greater risk of being dropped by those who lift them.
Give it some shakes. Once the shipment has been sealed, shake it. You must ensure that nothing can move inside the box. Anything that moves will cause damage to other fragile items in the box, and possibly even crush packing material. You should open the box and repackage it if you hear any shifting or rattling. If items are creaking inside, many carriers won’t accept the box.
As heavy items move through the supply chain, they are more susceptible to being damaged. They will be more resilient to the rigors of transport, including conveyor belts, forklifts, multiple trucks, and over-the-road transportation. This means that there are fewer returns and damaged goods, and customers will be more likely to buy from you again.