Top 9 Guidance for Creating Sure Your Packages Arrive Safely

Ensuring your package arrives safely at its final destination is the top priority when sending goods. There are numerous horror stories of valuable items getting damaged beyond repair, stolen, or lost. And the availability of cheap, low-quality packing materials can drastically reduce the safety of your consignments, only adding more fuel to this fire.

Whether you’re a business shipping and distributing products throughout the world or an individual sending a present to someone, you want to ensure your package arrives safely at its destination. And as the shipper, it’s your responsibility to complete the necessary checks before giving your parcel to the carrier.

Delayed, damaged, or lost are words no one wants to hear when it comes to shipping packages. When you hand your item over to the shipping provider, you want to know it will arrive at its destination in the same condition you packed it in. While your package is more likely to arrive safely if you choose a reputable carrier, here are several extra steps you may want to take to make sure it arrives whole.

Top 9 Guidance for Creating Sure Your Packages Arrive Safely

1. Securely Package Your Parcel

It’s critical to securely package your parcel during transit. Consider how many stages of transit your product will go through on its journey. It will be sorted and loaded onto a plane, van, or other means of transport alongside other items of different sizes.

While it’s unlikely your item will suffer damage if you send it with a reputable carrier, such as Unival Logistics, it’s always wise to take extra precautions for your peace of mind. So, make sure to send your products in robust cardboard boxes. These are tough and unlikely to tear, open, or collapse under pressure.

Wrap Your Items

Cover your items with at least two inches of foam lining or bubble wrap to keep them safe. For example, for frames, you’ll need to put tape across the glass surface following an X pattern to ensure handlers see the glass. In the case of electronic materials, you’ll need anti-static covering like bubble sheets or crumpled paper. And if you ship fragile items, surround them with three inches of bubble wrap.

Add More Bubble and Peanuts

Once you secure your product, you can add more bubble wrap or packing peanuts as these act as a cushion. Fill in the space in the box and shake it to see whether its content still moves. If yes, add more. Doing this will make sure items don’t suffer damage or get lost.

2. Measure and Weigh Your Parcel

It’s vital to calculate the size and weight of your parcels correctly. Otherwise, you could end up with a more expensive shipping bill. By entering accurate measurements for your package, you’ll be able to access the most suitable service for your parcel.

3. Attach Your Labels Securely

Once you pack your item, ensure to securely attach your labels to it. You don’t want these labels to come off as it could cause issues during transit and even result in the product being delayed or lost. So, make sure to place the labels inside a poly pocket and securely fasten them with packaging tape.

4. Do Not Send Prohibited Items

You need to ensure your items can be carried on the service. That’s especially true if you’re sending products overseas, as every country has a different set of rules and regulations about what is allowed or prohibited to be imported.

Sending restricted or prohibited items can cause various issues with your shipment. It can result in packages being refused, returned, or even destroyed. Most carriers have a list of prohibited items, so make sure to check it before shipping.

5. Get Compensation Cover

Most carriers offer some form of compensation cover, so make sure to take it to protect your package against damage or loss. However, before booking your compensation cover, make sure to check the list of prohibited and no-compensation items to ensure your products will be covered.

Note that some services offer only basic or insurance up to a certain value, and that may not be enough to cover what you’re shipping. To prevent this, make sure to check the small print.

6. Have the Correct Final Address and Return Address

Incorrect addresses are more common than many realize. To prevent that, clearly and correctly print the address on a visible part of the package. Also, ensure to cover previous address marks to prevent confusing carrier service. Often, it’s a good idea to write the address by hand and do the same with the return address. Make it clear and noticeable to avoid any confusion.

The address format is usually different for foreign countries, so be sure to double-check with your recipient to ensure the address is correct. In case you can’t contact your recipient, use Google to check whether the address is valid and available to receive packages.

It’s a good idea to also include a local phone number for the receiver. Drivers are usually reluctant to call a number outside of the delivery country. So, adding the recipient’s number can solve problems they might come across during transit.

7. Use a Reputable Provider

Before choosing your carrier, research to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money’s worth. Finding a reputable provider will give you extra peace of mind knowing your products will be handled with care and safe during transit.

8. Track Your Packages

Most reputable providers offer online tracking, and it’s a good idea to book your shipments with these companies. If you do this, you’ll have an opportunity to track the progress of your shipment throughout the transit journey and see any potential problems. And if you notice any issues, contact your provider, and they’ll help you resolve them.

9. Check for Specific Regulations

There can be specific regulations when it comes to sending sensitive or high-value items to some countries. That’s especially true if those goods are fragile, perishable, or hazardous. This can also mean you’ll have to complete additional paperwork. 

So, ensure to adhere to all the rules to prevent extra fees, return to sender charges, and failed delivery. A professional broker skilled in international deliveries will know the regulations when it comes to shipping your items and can advise you on how to proceed.

Ship Smart

After reading this article, you have a good idea of how to make sure your packages arrive safely to their final destinations. First, you need to ensure your goods are packaged properly to avoid any damage that could happen to them.

Having the correct address is critical if you want your packages to arrive where they need to arrive. And getting a compensation cover never hurts. That said, reputable carriers usually offer some form of compensation, and if you ship with them, it's more likely your goods will arrive whole.

Just make sure you don't send prohibited items and check for any specific regulations for the type of product you're sending. Good luck with your shipping!