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How to protect items during shipping

The solution varies depending on the materials being shipped.Products have been designed to protect things in shipping ranging from fine china being shipped to a foreign country to keeping gourmet steaks frozen as they are shipped to residential homes.

First we will address the topic of shipping fragile items since that is what the majority of the population is concerned with.Shipping a fragile product can be very difficult. If your package is not properly wrapped, the product will probably not arrive at its destination damaged or broken.As can be generalized to all packing and shipping dilemmas, you will need to consider the container as well as the packing materials used inside the container to cushion your items.You will also need to consider what services and carriers you will use, e.g.USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL among others.The best answer we have to that is to use someone you are comfortable with and one that provides a shipment method that offers the ability to trace your items.


As for containers, your packing boxes or envelopes should conform to carrier suggested standards.Each carrier has different standards, so you will need to do a quick online search or call the carrier in order to find out what they require or recommend.For example, they might say you need to use no less than single wall corrugated boxes with a 200 lb. minimum burst strength rating.In that case, reusing a Pampers Diaper box would be completely out of the question.

When considering which packing materials to use, you will need to be sure that your items will be packed securely no matter what product or combination of products you decide to use. Individual objects should be wrapped in foam, bubble wrap or some other protective material such as newspapers or magazines.Anything to prevent damage during shipment.One of the most commonly used packaging fillers is polyethylene foam, otherwise known as "popcorn" or "peanuts".This is placed inside the box to protect the most fragile products, and acts as a cushion during shipping.Bubble wrap is often used as a protective layer during shipping. However, one layer of bubble wrap alone will not usually suffice for the protection of your most fragile items. It requires as many as three layers of bubble wrap to secure it.Also, if you can, use foam end caps to package your fragile products. This packaging uses a polystyrene foam mould to shield your most fragile items.

When shipping perishable items, along with considering your alternatives for packing materials, you will also need to take into account the length of time your items will be in transit.This is especially true during the warmer months of the year, May through October.Items such as chocolates, cookies, donuts, lip balm, flax oil, marshmallows, etc. could very well arrive melted, spoiled or otherwise destroyed.A solution could be purchasing an ice pack such as "Uline Ice Pack" that can be placed into your shipping box as added protection against the summer heat.If you choose to do this though, you still need to keep in mind that ice packs cannot last longer than a couple of days.The ice pack alone may not completely protect perishable items from melting.You will want to choose an expedited shipping option such as UPS 3 day select or 2nd day air along with purchasing the ice pack to ensure optimal protection.To keep frozen items frozen, consider packing them in a cooler with dry ice although you definitely need to check with your carrier on that before sending it with them.

If the items could be destroyed by static electricity, there are products available made from 100% recyclable paper fibers that do not cling to items or clothing and do not emit static discharge.Internet searches will turn up several of these products that you can order.However, for most shipping needs all you have to do is visit your local USPS store, office supply store or shipping store.They usually stock the basics.

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