Packing guide for your fragile products

Why this guide?

Your products go through automated sorting chains before reaching your retailers: they are handled, stacked, loaded, and unloaded multiple times. Inadequate packaging exposes your products to repeated shocks that can lead to breakage, leaks, or damage.

This guide helps you identify if your current packaging is compatible with our logistics network and provides concrete solutions to ensure perfect delivery conditions.

🎥 To visualize what happens to your parcels during transportation, we recommend watching this video: UPS Sorting Chain

How to use this guide?

1. Check the section corresponding to your product type

2. Verify the current packaging of your products

3. Discover Ankorstore's solution adapted to your packaging

The different product categories:

Glass bottles

We can ship your bottles via parcel services if essential packaging rules are followed to ensure delivery without breakage.

How are your glass products currently packaged?

Scenario 1: If your bottles are properly packaged (well-padded and individually isolated):

Breakage risk indicator: Moderate 🟠

Bottle well isolated and padded

No direct contact between bottles and no movement within the carton.

Bottle well isolated by separators/no possible direct contact

✅ It is possible to ship your bottles via parcel services in their original carton since there is no clinking.

• Ankorstore Solution - SealedAir🔄

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟡 Low

  If your bottles are packaged this way in their original carton, we will wrap the carton with bubble wrap sheets (Smurfit brand). This air bubble wrapping system envelops the entire original carton to protect the bottles from external shocks during transport.

  
  

Scenario 2: If your bottles are packaged without separators, glass to glass contact:

Direct glass-to-glass contact

Direct glass-to-glass contact + difficult-to-open lot

Separators efficiently isolating bottles but lot too heavy (>12kg)

• It is not feasible to ship bottles via parcel services in their original carton (which will be discarded) when they are in direct contact and present gaps between them. Transport vibrations and manipulations cause repeated collisions between bottles, leading to a very high risk of breakage.

  Ankorstore Solution - Packhelp ✅

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟡 Low

  In this case, we offer professional reboxing services with custom cardboard spacers (PackHelp).

  
  
  

  Lower spacer assembly Bottle positioning Upper spacer assembly

  We can rebox your bottles in sets of 6 to 12 for large bottles and 12 to 24 for small bottles based on your needs.

  🚨 We reserve the right to dispose of the original carton.

How does it work?

• Our teams:

  1. Take your bottles out of their original packaging

  2. Place a spacer below each bottle

  3. Position the bottle in its individual compartment

  4. Add a spacer above for complete protection

  5. Seal the shipping carton (adjustable height) securely.

  To benefit from this solution, your bottles must comply with the following dimensions:

  • Large spacers

    Examples: 75cl wine bottles, 75cl beers, large-format juice bottles

    • Bottom diameter of the bottle: Between 8 cm and 9.5 cm

    • Top diameter of the bottle: Between 3 cm and 4.5 cm

    • Maximum bottle height: 31 cm

  • Small spacers

    Examples: 33cl beers, artisan sodas, small spirit bottles

  • Bottom diameter of the bottle: Between 5.5 cm and 6.5 cm

  • Top diameter of the bottle: Between 3 cm and 4.5 cm

  • Maximum bottle height: 31 cm

**Breakage risk indicator 🟡 Low

Jars individually isolated by separators (high enough)

• ✅ It is possible to ship your jars via parcel services in their original carton since there is no clinking. Jars are separated by cardboard separators that are thick and high enough (the lid is also isolated). There is only one layer of products.

  ---

  Separators present but fail to prevent top contact between jars

                                           **

  Ankorstore Solution - SealedAir🔄

  If your jars are correctly packaged in their original carton, we will wrap this carton with SealedAir sheets. This air bubble wrapping system envelops the entire original carton to protect your merchandise from shocks during transport.

  ✅ It will not be necessary to extract them from their original packaging for parcel shipment. Your parcel will simply be wrapped with SealedAir sheets.

  Scenario 2: If your jars are packaged glass to glass:

  Breakage risk indicator: 🔴 Very high, almost certain breakage

  Direct glass-to-glass contact

  Direct glass-to-glass contact + movement within the carton

  Plastic film does not protect products from external shocks + direct glass-to-glass contact **

  Plastic film does not protect products from external shocks + direct glass-to-glass contact + multiple layers

  Direct glass-to-glass contact

  **

  Direct glass-to-glass contact + movement within the carton

  Direct glass-to-glass contact + multiple layers not separated

  Direct glass-to-glass contact

  ❌ This type of packaging is not recommended for parcel shipment in their original packaging as they are in direct contact with each other, there are gaps between them, and/or they are stacked in multiple layers. The vibrations and handling during transport cause repeated collisions between jars, presenting a very high risk of breakage.

  Shipping your parcel would only be feasible in a pallet flow

  🔄 We are continuously seeking new repackaging solutions to recondition products currently not eligible for parcel flow.

Metal Containers: Cans - Aluminum Cans - Tin

It's essential to remember that parcels will be handled, stacked, loaded, and unloaded with varying levels of care between the shipment point and the recipient.

• Scenario 1: If your metal containers are individually packaged and/or are not made of thin and easily pliable metal:

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟢 Very low or almost non-existent

  ✅ Recommended

                                  ******

  Products separated by separators

  Individually wrapped boxes + tightly packed in the carton

  Individually separated products

  Less fragile products, tightly wrapped and reinforced packing

                               **

  Ankorstore Solution - SealedAir🔄

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟢 Very low or almost non-existent

  If your products are properly packaged in their original carton, we will wrap the carton with SealedAir sheets. This air bubble wrapping system envelops the entire original carton to protect your merchandise from shocks during transport.

• Scenario 2: If your metal containers are packaged with direct contact

  ❌ To avoid:

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟠 Moderate

  Cans not individually separated, which doesn't reduce the risk of deformation.

  Thin metal, pressure between boxes often causes breakage

  Canned goods not individually separated, increasing the risk of deformation.

In this scenario, your parcels are not compatible with parcel flow because the risk of deformation is high. They will therefore be redirected to a pallet flow.

To ensure your products arrive in perfect condition via parcel flow, we recommend individually protecting each product and using thick cardboard dividers to separate your products.

⚠ Dividers must be high enough to prevent any contact between the products, including the lid/top. No possible contact should occur.

Dry Products: Biscuits - Chips - Condiments 🍪

This category includes generally non-fragile products where the impact of breakage on customer satisfaction varies depending on packaging type and product nature.

Note: We do not accept bulk food items.

• Scenario 1: If your dry products are in inflated packaging and slight breakage does not impact customer experience

  Examples: Chips, inflated snacks, biscuits individually packaged with air

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟢 Very low or almost non-existent

  Light and non-fragile products

  ✅ These are non-fragile products because the air in the packaging serves as natural protection.

                                        **

  What to avoid:

  • Excessive compression of packets (risk of bursting)

  • Cartons too large creating movement

  ⚠ Slight breakage may occur during handling, but it generally does not impact customer satisfaction for these types of products.

  In this scenario, your products will be shipped in their original carton via parcel flow.

• Scenario 2: If your dry products are not in inflated packaging and slight breakage does not impact customer experience

  Examples: Biscuits in rigid boxes, condiments in sachets, spices in jars, dry sauces

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟢 Very low or almost non-existent

  Non-fragile products packed firmly in the carton

  Non-fragile products packed firmly in the carton

  Non-fragile products packed firmly in the carton

  💡If you believe slight breakage would be problematic for your products (decorated, artisanal products, etc.):

  • Maximize immobilization of your products within the packaging

  • Individually package each product before placing them in the carton

  Products that may be considered fragile, firmly immobilized within the carton with reinforced padding.

  Ankorstore Solution - SealedAir🔄

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟢 Very low or almost non-existent

  If your biscuits/condiments are correctly packaged in their original carton, we will wrap the carton with SealedAir sheets. This air bubble wrapping system envelops the entire original carton to protect your merchandise from shocks during transport.

Chocolates 🍫

Chocolate is a product doubly sensitive due to its physical fragility and thermal sensitivity.

• Scenario 1: If your chocolates are packaged in bulk

  Breakage risk indicator: 🔴 Very high, almost certain breakage

  Bars in bulk in the original carton

  ❌ We do not accept chocolate products in bulk because:

  • Food product requiring airtight protection

  • Risk of contamination during handling

  • Non-compliance with sanitary standards for resale

  • Direct contact = guaranteed breakage

  • Risk of melting contaminates all products

  → All chocolate products must be individually packaged in airtight packaging before shipment. ✅

• Scenario 2: If your chocolates are individually packaged

  Breakage risk indicator:🟠 Moderate

                           *Individual wrapped bars*

  Examples: Pralines, truffles, molded chocolates, special shapes (animals, figurines, etc.)

  Shipping conditions

  We can ship your individually wrapped chocolates provided they are firmly secured individually within the box. For complex shapes, reinforced padding (bubble wrap, crumpled paper) is mandatory. Chocolates must not touch each other or move within the box.

  ⚠ Your chocolates must withstand storage and transport conditions (around 23°C in warehouse). Ensure your type of chocolate is compatible with these temperatures.

  We are currently working on more specific indications regarding temperatures.

  Ankorstore Solution - SealedAir🔄

  Breakage risk indicator:🟡 Low

  If your chocolates are correctly packaged in their original carton, we will wrap the carton with SealedAir sheets. This air bubble wrapping system envelops the entire original carton to protect your merchandise from shocks during transport.

Editorial Products - Books📚

Breakage risk indicator:🟢 Very low or almost non-existent

Books individually wrapped under plastic film

Examples: Books, magazines, catalogs, notebooks

✅ These are non-fragile products that are relatively resistant to shocks and handling

Our recommendation:

Although books are not considered fragile, we strongly recommend wrapping them or using plastic film before shipment.

Why?

• Protection against warehouse dust

• Maintaining the product's new appearance

• Preventing stains during transport and handling

Recommended packaging:

• Individual plastic film or by batch

⚠ Without protection, your books may arrive dusty or with handling marks.

Ankorstore Solution - Kraft Paper🔄

Your stationery will be packed in a carton, surrounded by Kraft paper sheets.

Carton Packs 🧃

Breakage risk indicator:🔴 Very high, almost certain breakage

Examples: Fruit juices, plant milks, soups, broths in cartons

Carton packs are rigid but very vulnerable to shocks at corners and edges.

Risks:

• Corners getting crushed, causing leaks

• Caps getting unscrewed or deformed under pressure

• Carton getting soaked if one pack leaks onto others

• Grouped in crate film = no individual protection

Ankorstore Solution - SealedAir🔄

Breakage risk indicator:🟢 Very low or almost non-existent

If your carton packs are properly packaged in their original carton, we will wrap the carton with SealedAir sheets. This air bubble wrapping system envelops the entire original carton to protect your merchandise from shocks during transport.

Others - Very fragile products ⚠

If your products are highly fragile (thin glass, delicate ceramics, complex items with protruding elements), we strongly recommend choosing reinforced, custom-made packaging tailored to the specific shape of each product.

This individual protection helps absorb shocks, limit internal movement during transport, and thus prevent breakage or damage. Materials such as custom-cut foam, thermoformed cases, or reinforced bubble wrap are particularly suitable for this type of product.

• Scenario 1: If your fragile products are individually packaged and protected by robust materials

  ✅Breakage risk indicator:🟡 Low

  Fragile product packed in fitted polystyrene casing

                                 **

  Ankorstore Solution - SealedAir 🔄

  Breakage risk indicator: 🟢Very low or almost non-existent

  If your fragile products are correctly packaged in their original carton, we will wrap this carton with SealedAir sheets. This air bubble wrapping system envelops the entire original carton to protect your merchandise from shocks during transport.

• Scenario 2: If your fragile products are not individually packaged and protected by robust materials

  ❌Breakage risk indicator:🔴Very high, almost certain breakage

  Fragile unprotected items exposed to potential external shocks - Before

  After - Broken product

  Products not adequately secured and not shielded from potential shocks.

  A standard or insufficiently protective packaging is strictly unsuitable for very fragile products. This type of packaging will not be eligible for parcel or pallet logistics flows, as it presents a high risk of breakage during handling and transport. A high breakage rate is almost guaranteed with inadequate packaging.

💡Our advice: Investing in good packaging avoids returns, complaints, and additional costs!

To better understand how your parcels are handled through sorting chains in parcel flow, we invite you to watch the following video: UPS Sorting Chain