How to Prepare Your Parcel for Shipping?

Sending a gift, or ordered goods via mail is excellent as long as the parcel has been prepared correctly. Luckily, it is quite easy to grasp what needs to be done for your package to arrive safely at the desired destination. Choosing the best mail service there is will make it easier and safer for you to send out the goods. We have created this useful guide on how to prepare your parcel for shipping, as we want you to avoid common mistakes and get the best out of mailing service.

Get the right box for shipping your parcel

We highly recommend shipping your parcel in a cardboard box. Sometimes people want to send out their parcel in a fabric or cloth bag only to have the item damaged during transportation. The best protection for your items comes from a cardboard box. Resist the temptation to use an already used box, as they may fail in protecting your items. The box that you will be using should not have any tears, visible damage, dents, and similar.

Single, double, or triple corrugated boxes

Boxes can be single, double, or triple corrugated. Naturally, you will want to use triple corrugated boxes for heavy items. For lighter items and fragile items, you can use double corrugated boxes. Avoid using single corrugated boxes, and always opt for at least double-walled ones. Additionally, you should always opt for a box that is a couple of inches larger than the items in the parcel, as you will need to pad the box. A box of the right size also means that you will not have to pay extra money for shipping, and you will not damage the item as you could with a box that is too small or too large.

Weigh and measure your parcel correctly

The dimensions of the items you want to ship are measured only after the item is wrapped for shipping. You should measure the items and provide correct information about the dimensions. The weight of the items can be weighed by you stepping onto the scale with and without the parcel to calculate the exact weight of the parcel. If the information about the weight and dimensions of the parcel is not correct then you will face additional charges for shipping out your parcel.

Depending on the weight of your parcel you should choose the appropriate moving box. If you don`t follow weight restrictions, you will only end up paying more for the shipping of your parcel and/or having your items and box damaged.

Pack the items carefully

The item inside the parcel box should never touch the cardboard box it will be transported into. The item must be well protected with protective material. You can use bubble wrap, polystyrene, or old newspaper to provide for padding the box. When you shake the box filled with the item and protective material nothing should move inside. If you hear a movement inside that means that you should add more protective material for your item. There should be no space at all, as the item will be transported and might suffer damage.

Pack only one box per parcel

Make sure that you don`t pack two boxes and send them out as one parcel. Each parcel has a tracking number provided for it. In case the parcel is damaged and one of the boxes falls out, the courier would not know what is the tracking number of the box. This will make the delivery much harder, and you would only lose time and money. A single box can contain multiple items inside it, but two boxes should never be packed as one parcel.

Seal the box

For this part, you will need high-quality duct tape. Seal the box on every side. You should wrap the box with duct tape several times for better protection. It should be at least 5 cm wide to avoid any tearing of the box.

Label the box

When the mail service picks up your parcel, they will provide you with a label and all the information you need to fill out. This should be then placed on the parcel. Make sure that the dimension of your parcel is greater than A5 as the label is approximately this large and must fit on the box. Make sure that your box does not contain any of the old labels if you used an old box for shipping your package. You can also copy the payment confirmation and place it onto the box as well. In the unlikely case that the label is lost, it will be known that the parcel is paid for.

 

It is vital to write the correct address on your parcel

If you want to avoid delays, misunderstandings, and failed deliveries, the information on the parcel must be correct. Here is what information should be included in the parcel:

• Name – Your full name or the exact name of the company you are shipping the parcel to
• Street name, and street number as well
• The name of the town as well as the postcode
• The country you are shipping to
• Phone number – Write a mobile phone number instead of a landline one to avoid any delays in communication

The more accurate information you provide, the smaller are the chances of something getting wrong. Avoid the delays by writing the working address of a person that will receive a parcel, if that person is usually at work during the day.

Choose the right mail service

When you are shipping a parcel, it is only natural that you want a safe, fast, and efficient delivery. No matter whether you are sending highly valuable items or items that are rich in sentiments, your parcel deserves the best treatment. That is why you should choose the highest-quality NJ delivery service for the safest and fastest delivery. A1 messenger is there for you at all times.