Packaging guidelines: avoid damaged orders

The first thing to do is to ask yourself what type of product is going to be shipped. Is it fragile? What material is it made of? Is it heavy? Is it inflated with air and liable to burst? etc.



The nature of the packaging can then be determined. A fragile product needs strong packaging, whereas an unbreakable product (textiles, for example) can be sent in a plastic pouch.

There is a wide choice of packaging: pouches, tubes, cardboard boxes, crates, etc. It is therefore necessary to define which of these types is best suited to the product.

The qualities of resistance will be determined by the weight and type of product: single, double or triple flute.

Expert tip: always bear in mind that between the place of dispatch and the recipient, packages will be handled, stacked, loaded and unloaded with varying degrees of care.

The size of the packaging must be adapted to the product in order to have a well-prepared and protected parcel.

If the box is too big, the product is likely to move around in the package and bang against the walls. This increases the risk of damage. There will also be an abnormally excessive use of cushioning accessories.

If it's too small, the product risks bursting during transport.

You should therefore ensure that you choose packaging that is slightly larger than the product (approximately 2cm more in height, length and width).

Packaging too small - The product is crushed by

the packaging

Packaging too large - The product keeps getting moved around

                   

The products do not touch the packaging.

With a little shimming they will be secure and the packaging can be closed neatly.

These are preferable for products such as beverages in glass containers, spreads or tableware, which are mainly sold in batches.



The purpose of dividers is to prevent products from colliding with each other during transport, thereby reducing the risk of breakage.

Products protected against impact by dividers

For fragile single products, it is advisable to cushion them with shredded paper or shredded wood to absorb shocks. For hollow products (e.g. cups), it is advisable to add shredded or kraft paper inside to reinforce the cushioning effect.

Mug with shredded paper

to protect it from shocks

Bubble film can be used for the most fragile products when packing.

Kraft paper and air cushions should be used for less fragile products, as they absorb shocks less and fill the space with less material to prevent the product from banging against the walls of the parcel.

Example of products cushioned with

polystyrene beads and kraft paper

Expert tip: remember to fill as many empty spaces in the packaging as possible.

As mentioned in the previous section on “packaging dimensions”, it is important to choose the right box from the outset, and not one that is too big or too small.

There are several possible scenarios. There may be just one product to pack, or several to put in the same box.

If there is only one product, you will need to be careful to position it correctly and wedge it in the centre of the box.

If there are several products, which may vary in size, make sure you position the heaviest product first, at the bottom of the box, in the centre, so as not to crush the others. Finally, distribute the other products around the heavy object, then on top.

Expert tip: if the parcel contains several products (multi-products) and the heaviest must remain at the bottom to avoid damaging the others during transport, it is essential to indicate the top of the box to the carriers. This can be done manually with a felt-tip pen or marker, but will be more visible with a sticker.

Example below :

Poor-quality adhesive tape will cause the tape to peel off during transport, resulting in damage to the parcel and possible breakage or loss of the goods. It is therefore essential to choose an adhesive tape that sticks perfectly and does not tear.

Expert tip: choose a 5cm wide tape to prevent the box from opening by itself

Type of sealing

There are different ways of sealing a carton with adhesive tape:

• L-shaped: for light products

• U-shaped: for heavy products or the transport of light products that will go through several stages of routing

  

• Combined L and U shaped: for transporting heavy products over long distances (international orders)

• H-shaped: a highly secure method suitable for all products

Expert tip: always use the H method to ensure effective sealing, whatever the type of product in the box.

In order for the shipment to go as smoothly as possible, the parcel must be properly labelled:

• On the document pocket, the recipient's and sender's addresses and the sender's addresses must be clearly visible, as well as the barcode.

• If there are fragile products in the parcel, add the "Fragile" and "Top Position" labels to warn the carriers so that they can take precautionary measures during transit.

  

“Fragile” and “Top Position” labels can be found on the following document to print and paste on the parcel:

• Fragile Label

• Top Position Label