Please take some time to read carefully the 5 rules for good packaging, poor packaging could lead to damages, delays and the possible rejection of the compensation claim:
1. External Packaging
Start by choosing a sturdy box to sufficiently protect your items in transit (external packaging):
- Select the quality of the packaging. Choose quality and rigid materials, that are in good condition. Always opt for a box and avoid plastic envelopes.
- Choose a corrugated cardboard box. Make sure it is sturdy and robust. The box must be new, not used.
- The box must be of the correct size, appropriate for the goods you want to send. Empty spaces can be bend and are easily damaged.
- Manipulation instructions (fragile, arrow, etc.) do not guarantee the safety of the goods.
2. Internal Packaging
Good internal packaging must protect the goods from shocks and vibrations as well as maintain its original shape since it will act as a shock absorber. Keep breakages to a minimum by using internal packagings materials such as:
Polyethylene foam sheets
They offer optimal surface protection since they have excellent cushioning capabilities. Its use is ideal to protect light items.
Bubble wrap sheets
The compressed air offers good protection for light items. It's a flexible material, allowing the wrapping of almost any size and/or shape.
Inflatable packaging
Inflatable packaging works using the air's pressure to isolate the products of external temperatures, maintaining the interior's
Molded foam
Molded foam forms a cover around any product, reinforces the corners and protects the edges. It is very useful when padding is necessary.
Packing paper
Packing paper, or kraft paper, must be well wrinkled to be used as padding. Each article must be wrapped with at least 5 cm of paper for maximum efficacy.
Expansive foam/ Expansive Polystyrene / Polystyrene shavings
They're light materials and, for the most part, have a low cost. They can resist the possible impacts the parcel might endure during transport, and retain its original shape.
Corrugated cardboard
Two or more sheets of simple or double corrugated cardboard can be used to create a protective screen between the product and the container (exterior packaging)
Modular packaging
They are boxes of different sizes that can fit inside each other
Pallet
It's a platform or tray built from boards, commonly used to support the transportation of several kinds of goods.
Angular corner protectors
They protect the corners of furniture, doors, panels, and worktops, among others, from possible impacts.
3. Closing and sealing properly
Once packaged, seal your parcel securely:
- Seal and close your package in an "H" shape": Draw and "H" with the packing tape in all possible apertures.
- Use a quality, resilient packing tape. The tape must be at least 50 mm. (5 cm) width. If the package has openings, it's important that you cover them with the tape.
- Put some cardboard or protective plastic on the edges and exterior of the package. It will help distribute pressure uniformly and prevent damage.
4. Documentation
Attach the labels where they are visible on the package's exterior surface. When picking it up, the courier reads the barcode of the labels with their PDA, so you must ensure you're using the proper labels and remove any other labeks to prevent confusion. If you are securing the label to the parcel with adesive tape, do not cover the barcode label with the tape, as doing so might prevent the label from being scanned correctly.
5. What kind of goods you want to ship?
Proper packaging also depends on the goods you want to send. Here you can quickly find a packing guide according to the type of goods you want to ship:
- Glass bottles
- Aluminum Cans
- Fragile Goods
- Frames
- Showcases
- Electronics
- Pallets
- Documents
- Vinyls CD
- Books
- Sports Articles
- Bikes
- Toys
- Spare parts, Wheels, Pneumatics
- Musical instruments
Glass bottles
The bottles must be shipped in adequate packaging that is approved by the carrier since they require packaging that allows them to be fixated inside the package without coming into contact with each other and causing damage:
- Always verify that the bottles are in good condition, and make sure that the cork/plug is properly sealed.
- The bottles must be wrapped in absorbing and/or waterproof material.
- Introduce the bottles into the box using separators, anchor points, sealed on polyethylene air chambers or polystyrene tubes.
- The use of bubble wrap, Styrofoam and/or newspaper will be considered inadequate for shipping.
- It is recommended not to ship bottles along with other goods (clothing, books, etc.).
Materials to use
Foam
Polystyrene
Modular packaging
Materials to avoid
Bubble wrap
Aluminum Cans
With Packlink, you can send aluminum containers with a maximum of 5 liters. It is recommended not to ship more than 10 liters per parcel since, due to the fragility of the shipment, it's best to avoid heavier parcels and, therefore, harder to transport.
- Always verify the condition of the containers and make sure that there aren't any defects and the cork/plug is properly sealed.
- Use polystyrene sheets as a cushion and to fill any gaps.
- Remember that the containers must not come into contact with each other
- It is recommended not to ship containers (cans) along with other goods (clothing, books, etc.).
Materials to use
Foam
Polystyrene
Modular packaging
Materials to avoid
Bubble wrap
Fragile goods
You can ship fragile goods if you are extra careful about the packaging. Since the parcel will travel through conveyor belts at different warehouses, they must be prepared to handle shocks and vibrations.
- When shipping fragile goods you must always use double corrugated cardboard boxes to protect the goods from impact and ensure the box maintains its rigidness even when stacked on other parcels.
- Include stuffing on the top, bottom, and sides of the fragile item, with a thickness of at least 5 centimeters to avoid movements inside the parcel.
- Always use foam pads on the top and bottom of the item, and ensure it adjusts perfectly to the shape of the item, so it is protected during transportation.
Materials to use
Foam
Polystyrene
Inflatable packaging
Materials to avoid
Bubble wrap
Packing paper
Frames
If the picture is protected by glass, hold it with packing tape forming an "X" shape to sustain the glass in case of breakage.
- Wrap the whole item with two layers of bubble wrap. It's important that protection is abundant to absorb possible impact.
- Use pieces of polystyrene to protect the corners from possible shicks
- If you ship several paintings, use modular packaging that is made of double corrugated cardboard, with internal padding.
Materials to use
Bubble wrap
Modular packaging
Materials to avoid
Thin cardboard
Showcases
Showcases must be protected using a cardboard or plywood container.
- Use at least 5 centimeters of polystyrene as cushioning on all sides of the container.
- Use polystyrene shavings and/or air shock absorbers to fill the gaps and immobilise the goods inside the container.
Materials to use
Pallet
Molded foam
Angular corner protectors
Materials to avoid
Bubble wrap
Thin cardboard
Electronics
If you have the manufacturer's original packaging, we recommend you use it, introducing it inside a box with additional protective material.
- The original package is usually used for a single shipment, keep in mind that re-using the packaging may offer lesser protection to the goods.
- To avoid damage during shipping, you must protect it using this kind of "foam pads".
- Make sure the goods are not in direct contact with the edges of the box, with a minimum of 5 centimeters on each side. The vibration and shocks experienced during transit may cause damage to the articles.
- Avoid the use of polystyrene that may conduct static electricity and damage electronic devices.
Materials to use
Foam
Molded foam
Materials to avoid
Polystyrene
Pallets
The services offered by Packlink are not specialised in relocations or furniture transportation. However, for your shipment to successfully arrive, please follow the next steps:
- Use a flat platform as surface, this way it will be easier to move the package, from collection to delivery.
- Use expansive polystyrene to protect the edges and corners.
- Cover the furniture with foam and/or cushions.
- The furniture must be inside a firm package, with a plywood structure. Use at least 5 centimeters as a cushion base and fill any empty space with shock absorbers.
- Wrap the packages on the pallet with elastic tape to prevent movement and make sure they don't stick out on any side.
Materials to use
Angular corner protectors
Pallet
Materials to avoid
Packing paper
Documents, folders, pamphlets.
To ship documents, maps, cards, drawings, etc. you must:
- Wrap the item with a transparent bag to protect it from humidity.
- Use perforated cardboard protection, with adhesive sealing or a triangular tube that can hold and protect larger documents while rolled, instead of folded.
Materials to use
Modular packaging
Materials to avoid
Bubble wrap
Packing paper
CD's or Vinyls
To ship CD's or vinyls you must:
- Wrap the article with perforated cardboard with adhesive sealing.
- For external packaging, a double-corrugated cardboard box is recommended, filling the gaps on all four sides with polystyrene foam sheets of at least 5 centimeters, to serve as protection during transportation.
- Each article must be wrapped individually and separately.
Materials to use
Modular packaging
Materials to avoid
bubble wrap
Packing paper
Books
Wrap the article with perforated cardboard with adhesive sealing.
- For external packaging, use a double-corrugated cardboard box, using polystyrene sheets with a width of at least 5 centimeters to serve as protection during transportation.
- Each article must be wrapped individually and separately.
Materials to use
Modular packaging
Materials to avoid
Bubble wrap
Plain envelope
Sports articles
Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap sheets to provide sufficient protection to surfaces against possible scratching.
- Be especially careful with the protection of corners and edges.
- Articles must be separated from each other and not be in contact with each other.
- Each item must be wrapped in at least 5 centimeters of bubble wrap and be at least 5 centimeters away from each other. This will help prevent possible damage due to a collision between items, as well as protect them from shocks and vibrations during transit.
- Use enough bubble wrap sheets to ensure that the contents are sturdy. You should verify it beforehand by gently shaking the parcel.
Materials to use
Bubble wrap
Angular corner protectors
Foam
Materials to avoid
Packing paper
Bikes
To correctly ship your bicycle, the pedals, wheels, saddle, and handlebar must be removed and packaged separately.
- Wrap each part individually. Use bubble wrap to ensure they are correctly and fully secured
- Use a cardboard box, preferably a double-corrugated one, and fill all sides with polystyrene to protect the goods during transportation.
- Make sure the ends do not touch each other and that there aren't any empty gaps.
Materials to use
bubble wrap
Modular corner protectors
Espuma
Materials to avoid
Packing paper
Toys
Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap sheets to provide sufficient protection to surfaces proper protection against possible scratching. Aside from being a good padding material, it can also be used to wrap almost any kind of item regardless of its shape or size.
- Be especially careful with the protection of corners and edges.
- The articles must be separated from each other.
- Each item must be wrapped in at least 5 centimeters of bubble wrap and be at least 5 centimeters away from each other. This will help prevent possible damage due to a collision between items, as well as protect them from shocks and vibrations during transit.
- Use enough bubble wrap sheets to ensure that the contents do not move. You should verify it beforehand by gently shaking the parcel.
Materials to use
Bubble wrap
Angular corner protectors
Foam
Materials to avoid
Plain envelope
Spare parts, wheels, and pneumatics.
Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap sheets to provide sufficient protection to surfaces against possible scratching.
- Be especially careful with the protection of corners and edges.
- The articles must be separated from each other, as well as the corners, sides, top, and bottom of the container.
- Each article must be wrapped with at least 5 centimeters of foam or bubble wrap in the sides of the parcel.
- Use enough sheets and/or protection to ensure that the content does not move during transit.
- For the shipment of doors, bumpers, car fenders, etc., it is necessary to use rigid and non-deformable packaging that offers sufficient protection to the items and ensure their fixation within the parcel.
- To ship spare parts, you must first confirm with the carrier that these kinds of goods are permitted.
Materials to use
Bubble wrap
Angular corner protectors
Foam
Materials to avoid
Packing paper
Musical instruments
Paying extra care in the preparation of shipping a musical instrument is very important. Musical instruments are expensive and delicate, it is crucial to dedicate some time to read our instructions carefully when packing any type of musical instruments for shipping.
- Start by placing your musical instrument in its original case or a proper size box. Cushion it properly till it won’t be able to move.
- If you are shipping a violin, a viola, a guitar, a mandolin make sure your musical instrument is safe for transit. Wrap the tailpiece with foam wrap and secure it. Protect the bridge by using two foam blocks. Cover the scroll with bubble wrap and secure with tape. Wrap the item including the scroll with bubble-wrap. Fill any extra space with additional packing material to ensure pieces are unable to move.
- To send percussion instruments safely, make sure that they are appropriately protected with bubble wrap, immobile in the box, and sealed carefully. Remove the drum hoops and heads. Wrap the bass drum hoops with bubble-wrap and slide them into the shell. The box must have a layer of bubble wrap and additional cardboard on the bottom and sides. Pack the snare drum, the cymbals separately and smaller hardware separately by each other. Fill any extra space with cushioning: to ensure nothing can move around during transport.
- Packing and shipping a harmonica, flute, clarinet, or oboe is not tricky, but you also need to prepare such musical instruments properly. Make sure that the item is immovable by putting plenty of packaging materials and tightly sealing the box.
Materials to use
Bubble wrap
Angular corner protectors
Foam
Polystyrene
Inflatable packaging
Materials to avoid
Packing paper