Packaging is everything. Inappropriate packaging will put your shipment at risk, therefore it is essential that you follow these packaging instructions.
During transport, your shipment must withstand shocks, vibrations, and falls from a minimum height of 1,5 meters.
Poor packaging could lead to the following risks:
- Damages to the goods.
- Delays in the transit.
- Manipulation of the goods.
- Immediate rejection of any claim to the insurance.
- Goods deterioration.
1. 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
The packaging gives your parcel the necessary protection during transport. A good internal packaging must protect the goods from shocks and vibrations as well as recover it's original shape since it acts as a shock absorber.
Polyethylene foam sheets
They offer optimal surface protection since they have excellent cushioning capabilities. Its use is ideal to protect the lightest items.
Bubble wrap sheets
The compressed air offers good protections 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 receive during transport, and retain its original shape.
Molded foam
Commonly known as foam rubber or packing foam.
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
- 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 have at be at least 50 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. When picking it up, the courier read the barcode of the labels with their PDA, so you must ensure you're using the proper labels and remove any other to prevent confusions.
5. What kind of goods you want to ship?
Proper packaging also depends on the goods you want to send. Here you can find a quickly 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
Glass bottles
The bottles must be shipped in a adequate packaging that is approved by the carrier since they require packaging that allows them to be fixated inside the package without hitting each other syntax:
- Always verify that the bottles are in good shape, and make sure that the cork/plug is properly closed.
- The bottles must be wrapped in absorbing and/or waterproof material.
- Introduce the bottles on 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
PolystyreneModular packagingMaterials to avoid
Bubble wrapAluminum Cans
With Packlink you can send aluminum recipients that contain 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 state of the containers and make sure that there aren't any defects on the cork/plug is properly closed.
- Use polystyrene sheets as a cushion and to fill any gaps.
- Remember that the containers must not hit each other
- It is recommended not to ship bottles along with other goods (clothing, books, etc.).
Materials to use
PolystyreneModular packaging Materials to avoid
Bubble wrapFragile 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 a fall of minimum 1,50 meters.
- When shipping fragile goods you must always use double corrugated cardboard boxes to protect the goods from impacts and ensure the box maintains rigidity even when stacked with 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 bottoms of the item, and ensure it adjusts perfectly to the shape of the item, so it is protected during transportation.
Materials to use
PolystyreneInflatable packaging Materials to avoid
Bubble wrapPacking paperFrames
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 painting with two bubble wrap layers. It's important that protection is abundant to absorb possible impacts.
- Use pieces of polystyrene to protect the corners from possible impacts
- If you ship several paintings use modular packaging made of double corrugated cardboard, with internal padding.
Materials to use
Bubble wrapModular packagingMaterials to avoid
Thin cardboardShowcases
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 immobilize the goods inside the container.
Materials to use
PalletMolded foamAngular corner protectorsMaterials to avoid
Bubble wrapThin cardboardElectronics
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 reusing the packaging may offer lesser protection of 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 touch with the edges of the box, with a minimum of 5 centimeters on each side. The vibration and shocks produced during the transport may cause damages to the articles.
- Avoid the use of polystyrene that may conduct static electricity and damage electronic devices.
Materials to use
Molded foamMaterials to avoid
PolystyrenePallets
The services offered by Packlink are not specialized 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 protectorsPalletMaterials to avoid
Packing paperDocuments, folders, pamphlets.
To ship documents, maps, cards, drawings, etc. you must:
- Wrap the item on 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 packagingMaterials to avoid
Bubble wrapPacking paperCD'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 preferred, filling the gaps on all four sides with polystyrene foam sheets of at least 5 centimeters, to serves as protection during transportation.
- Each article must be wrapped individually and separately.
Materials to use
Modular packagingMaterials to avoid
bubble wrapPacking paperBooks
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 packagingMaterials to avoid
Bubble wrap
Plain envelopeSports articles
Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap sheets to allow the surface's 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 put at least 5 centimeters away from the sides. This will help prevent possible damage due to a collision between items, as well as protect them from hits and vibrations during transportation.
- 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 wrapAngular corner protectorsMaterials to avoid
Packing paperBikes
To correctly ship your bicycle, the pedals, wheels, saddle, and handlebar must be removed and packed separately.
- Wrap each part individually. Use bubble wrap to ensure they are correctly and completely 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 wrapModular corner protectorsMaterials to avoid
Packing paperToys
Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap sheets to allow the surface's 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 put at least 5 centimeters away from the sides. This will help prevent possible damage due to a collision between items, as well as protect them from hits and vibrations during transportation.
- 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 wrapAngular corner protectorsMaterials to avoid
Plain envelopeSpare parts, wheels, and pneumatics.
Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap sheets to allow the surface's 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, 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, up to the parcel's sides.
- Use enough sheets and/or protection to ensure that the content does not move during transportation.
- For the shipment of doors, bumpers, car fenders, etc, it's necessary a rigid and non-deformable that offers proper protection of the items and keep them fixed on the interior.
- To ship spare parts first you must confirm with the carrier that these kinds of goods are allowed.
Materials to use
Bubble wrapAngular corner protectorsMaterials to avoid
Packing paper