Last week we started our Shipping Handbook explaining in detail the first step: requesting a quotation.

Now it’s time for the next step of preparation: the packaging. Before asking for a pickup, you must follow these recommendations in order to make sure that the shipment arrives in the best condition. These are instructions easy to follow.

First you have to do is to care about what kind of packaging you will need, thought we are going to make some straight recommendations there are other possible ways. Just as an starter: use cardboard boxes and try not to send suitcases.

We will make a brief summary of the reasons why we say so:

• Suitcases add more volume and weight, so add more cost to shipping.
• Suitcases are not prepared for transportation in vans and trucks, keep in mind that as the suitcase is the outer packaging it can get damaged.
• Suitcases draw attention, we make efforts to prevent theft in transport but there are some few people that love other’s stuff.
• Cardboard boxes are free and easy to find. You can get some asking in shops.

Be very careful when filling your packages, overloading can cause boxes to burst and the contents could get lost or broken. Do not try to send too much stuff in one box, the number of packages does not increase the price, because it will depend on the total volume and weight of the shipment.

We do not mean that cardboard boxes are the only ones eligible for shipments, we recommend them because they are stronger, lighter and very cheap. Anyway, there are other items that require special packages, like refrigerated or fragile products. If you have to send something that needs special packaging get in contact with us and ask for advice, we will help you and tell you how to do it.

Protecting fragile items

Keep in mind that a shipment is a process that involves many people, it is not a simple trip from A to B. Your package will travel in a van, a truck or a cargo bike, on a plane,... You want your belongings to survive through the whole journey, so you must pack everything with care. When you send fragile items you have to pack and wrap each of them separately, always use bubble wrap. You can also use polystyrene or other materials, but never wrap fragile items in clothes, it is a common mistake and experience told us that it is not reliable. If you need more protection you can google for some internet websites that sell special boxes for fragile items.

And, of course, always use packing tape. The zeal only works for paper and envelopes and won't keep your boxes closed.

About the label

Many people ask us if it is required to put labels on the boxes, we always say yes. Do not write the information on the box, the best you can do is to print the label and glue it to the box where it is crearly visible, The label you print should contain all needed data from the sender and the receiver. Also print and attach the label the shipping company sends you, it facilitates automated reading through bar codes, what makes the trip efficient and quick, and also prevents typos. You may think you have a very clear or beautiful writing, but maybe someone doesn't completely understand it and then your box can get to a wrong destination. We've seen shipments to "Spain" that have suddenly appeared in Saipan.

Labelling is not only a matter of efficiency and misspelling, transport and postal regulations and laws require that the sender and receiver information must be detailed, an that the sender is responsible for it. In the case there isn't enought information in the label you have no right to complain.

We want your shipments to arrive always in time at the correct destination, so we will answer any of your queries. You can contact us by e-mail and phone here.