How to Package Goods for Courier Delivery: A Practical Checklist

The courier is responsible for your goods from collection to delivery -- but the shipper is responsible for how they are packaged. A well-packaged consignment will survive the journey without issue; a poorly packaged one may arrive damaged, and many insurance policies contain exclusions for inadequate packaging.

Choosing the right box

Use a new or near-new corrugated cardboard box rated for the weight of your goods. Single-wall corrugated is adequate for most goods under 10 kg; double-wall provides significantly better protection for heavier or fragile items. The box should be sized so the item fits snugly with void fill -- not so small it bulges, not so large the item shifts.

Internal packaging and void fill

• Wrap fragile items individually in at least 5 cm of bubble wrap, with edges and corners double-wrapped
• Use foam sheets, packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or air pillows to fill all voids
• The item should not move at all when you shake the sealed box
• For multiple items in one box, wrap each separately and separate with void fill
• Do not use newspaper as the sole void fill -- it compresses under load

Sealing the box

Use a minimum of three strips of packing tape on the top and bottom seams -- one down the centre and one on each side seam. Do not rely on the factory folds of the box alone; these are not adequate for transit.

Labelling

1. Print labels clearly, in a large font -- handwritten labels in pen can smear
2. Include both collection and delivery addresses with postcodes
3. Add a contact phone number for both sender and recipient
4. Place one copy of the label inside the box as a backup
5. Cover the label with a layer of clear tape to protect it from moisture
6. Remove or obscure any old labels on reused packaging

Special considerations

• Liquids: use primary containment (a sealed bottle), secondary containment (a sealed bag), and outer absorbent packaging
• Electronics: wrap in anti-static packaging before bubble wrap
• Artwork and prints: use corner protectors and mark the box clearly as fragile
• Batteries: must comply with IATA and courier-specific dangerous goods rules

The test: can your package survive being dropped from waist height onto a hard floor? If not, add more void fill.