To ensure your parcel arrives at your desired destination safe and sound, there are some things you need to know. When it comes to shipping parcels internationally, many forget that their parcel will be handed from person to person with any European parcel delivery companies, and so ensuring your goods are packaged correctly is paramount. Here, we’re taking a closer look at what you need to remember when shipping parcel internationally to ensure they arrive safely.
1. Choose The Right Tools For The Job
Jiffy bags, strong parcel tape, double walled cardboard boxes and even parcel straps are all good materials when it comes to shipping a parcel internationally. If you are unsure whether or not your chosen packaging is suitable, you can find more information about the best ways to ship your parcel internationally on your chosen couriers website. Here, you’ll also be able to find out more regarding what you can and can’t send in the post, which is well worth reading if you’re thinking about sending anything drastic abroad!
2. Don’t Leave Any Empty Spaces
When packing your parcel in a rush, it can be easy to leave empty spaces. But trust us, it’s worth the extra few minutes ensuring your parcel is packaged correctly. Bubble wrap, polystyrene chips and polyethylene foam can all help cushion your items from the bumps they may experience during transit. If you’re shipping fragile items, place them in the centre of a package!
3. Don’t Rely On Delicate Materials
Even though it sounds relatively obvious, you’d be surprised at the amount of people who package their goods in delicate materials! Delicate materials are essentially bags made from fabric, which, you guessed it, can be easily damaged. Even though couriers do their utmost to take care of your parcels, other parcels with sharp corners and the machinery within the sorting warehouses can damage your goods if they are not packaged properly.
4. Avoid Reusing Old Packaging
We get it – we want to reuse old packaging because it’s better for the environment and it means that you don’t have to go out of your way to buy a brand new cardboard box. But wait. The moment a cardboard box is damaged it becomes weaker, meaning that it will provide less protection to the goods inside your parcel. Similarly, because many couriers use systems that automatically read address labels, it’s easy to mix up. Due to this, your safest bet is to buy a brand new, double walled card board box and attach your own labels before sending your parcel on its way.
In order to ensure your parcel reaches its destination safely, we strongly recommend taking these points into consideration. By choosing the right tools for the job, avoiding reusing old packaging, not relying on delicate materials and not leaving any empty spaces inside your package, you can be confident that your goods will arrive in tact – just like you want them too! What’s your top tip when it comes to shipping parcels internationally?