You can’t be too careful when shipping fragile items is part of your eCommerce business. Remember the old saying, “You break it, you buy it?” Well, as a business owner, if your items are broken during shipping, then you are the one who will absorb the cost of those items. To keep your profits high and your customers happy, it is vital that you know the best practices when it comes to shipping fragile items. This quick guide will give you some basic info on packing and shipping fragile stuff if you have been wondering what is the most durable packing material.
What Classifies as Fragile?
The most important first step is to clearly identify which items should be considered fragile in the first place. This is especially important if you are working with a lot of other people. You want to ensure that everyone on your team is on the same page when packing items.
Fragile items would include:
- Glassware
- Musical instruments
- Technology
- Electronics
- Ceramics
- Items with small, thin parts
- And other items as you deem appropriate
The point is that you decide ahead of time what constitutes fragile for your particular team. Then you want to ensure that everyone on the team is trained exactly the same way regarding packing and shipping.
Let’s look at some best packing practices to help get you and your team started.
Boxes Should Be Only Slightly Larger Than The Item
Too much space inside the box is not a good thing. The more space in the box, the more the item can move around. The more the item can move around, the more chances there are of the item breaking. Choose the box size carefully.
Avoid Poly Bags
People are often tempted to ship using poly bags because it is cheaper. However, you risk more expenses in the long run if the items get damaged. Go ahead and put the investment into properly sized boxes.
Use Cushioning Material
Don’t be tempted to cut corners with your cushioning material. You need the cushioning material for, you guessed it, cushioning. There may be other ways to cut costs for your shipping expenses, but this is not the place to cut costs. Invest in quality cushioning material and always use it when packing fragile items.
Use Foam If Necessary
When cushioning material is not enough, go the extra mile and use foam as well. Foam can create a safety capsule for the item to ensure that it does not slide or move around in the box. Some consider it to be the best packing material for fragile items.
Use Pillows or Packing Peanuts
Pillows and packing peanuts are a few more packing options that you can use to ensure that items arrive undamaged. Again, this is an investment, but you should definitely consider investing in quality pillows and packing peanuts to keep your items safe.
Mark Your Boxes Fragile
Be sure to always mark fragile boxes as fragile. Be sure everyone on your team knows the importance of this step.