Sending a parcel may seem easy, but if you don’t use suitable Packaging, it will affect your items. Whether you are dispatching a parcel for personal use or shipping goods for your company, specific measures must be implemented to make sure that the items reach the destination safely and in good shape.
This Packaging guide is set to include all essential information, starting with how to wrap a package for shipping, parcel vs package and the packaging guidelines that come with it from USPS, FedEx, UPS, Amazon, Walmart, and more.
Parcel vs. Package: What’s the Difference?
As you pack your stuff for shipment, what is the distinction between a parcel and a package? These terms are used interchangeably often, but there are slight differences between them.
- Parcel usually relates to small shipments, which often do not weigh much and can be posted with the postal service such as USPS or shipped with courier services such as FedEx and UPS.
- While Package involves anything being shipped, especially large or bulky shipments.
Both have to be wrapped and protected to avoid getting damaged during delivery, and whether a parcel is called a package or a parcel, packaging design guidelines remain more or less the same.
Why Appropriate Packaging Matters
Packages may cover significant distances and pass through different delivery agents, including a post office, FedEx, and UPS. They may go through several sorting centers, being sorted mechanically and organized with other shipments.
Your items may get damaged if there is no suitable Packaging. Observe the proper shipping packaging procedures to ensure your package arrives complete and unbroken.
External Packaging: Choosing the Right Box
The first process of how to wrap a package for shipping is determining the outside covering. Have a small plastic tub or a shipping box that is strong enough to carry as it goes through rough handling.
New boxes should be used because the old boxes have lost their strength, and they may not protect the items adequately.
If an item is delicate, it is advisable to pack it in one box and then put the box in another one. This provides additional protection and support for transporting sensitive goods such as drugs or electronics.
Tips for Selecting the Box:
- Ensure that the box size is appropriate for the particular thing you want to pack.
- It is equally important not to pack too many items in a box or too few since this may cause the box to be damaged.
- For elongated products, it is recommended that the packaging should have triangular box bases.
Internal Packaging: Protect Your Content
When you have identified the appropriate box, it is time to cover its content. Pack items well, and use cushioning where the items are loose inside the box. This can be done using bubble wrap, polystyrene, or packing peanuts. If you are sending more items, wrap each separately to avoid them hitting against each other.
Critical Tips for Internal Packaging
- Make sure that there is no free space in the box available.
- It is suitable to wrap all items to ensure they do not come into contact with the sides of the box.
- Employ additional cushioning for breakable items.
Sealing the Package Securely
After packing your items, you must ensure that the box is closed tightly to avoid opening during transportation. It is advisable to use strong parcel tape, especially with strengthened fibers, and apply it over the edges of the box to aid closure. It is preferable not to use strings since they can barrier the animal during handling.
Taping Tips
- Ensure that all the points where it is possible to get inside are sealed, top, bottom, and around the side.
- Ensure that you use heavy-duty tape, especially on slightly larger packages.
- Do not leave spaces where the package may open on its own.
Shipping Labels and Customs Documents
After your package is appropriately wrapped and sealed, the next thing to do is fix the shipping label. Make sure to stick the label on top of the box to ensure it can be seen and scanned by couriers' delivery personnel. FedEx, UPS, and USPS suggest that the label should be put where it will be in a single plane.
If your package has an irregular shape, for instance, a triangular package, then make sure to put the label on the side with the most minor curve to make it visible and stick well.
Do not print the label on top or in a taped area, which will alter the QR scan detection. If you are shipping internationally, it is also essential to include customs documents and place them in a clear plastic cover to be placed on the outside of the package.
Labeling Tips:
- Check that the shipping label is smooth and has no creases on it.
- It is good practice to have a secondary label inside the box if the outer one is damaged.
- Place customs documents in a clear plastic pouch.
How to Pack Small Items for Shipping
Some of the most common methods to package small items for shipment include:
It is also important to remember that packing smaller items may need extra attention. When not packed securely, they are easily lost, so they should be packed in small cartons. This is particularly important if you send many small pieces: wrap each piece separately and add cushioning so that during transportaion, the goods do not move around.
Tips for Small Items:
- If possible, use small boxes or padded envelopes to ensure that the items are safe from damage.
- They should be packed appropriately to ensure that they do not shift during the transportation process.
- Pack additional accessories such as bubble wrap or soft padding to reduce the impacts on the items.
Special Considerations:
A common question is, can one put a box in plastic and then ship it? It is possible, but not advisable, since using plastic wrap is sensitive to breaking up and does not offer as much protection as using a cardboard box. If you decide to use plastic wrap, be careful that the box on the bottom still has enough structural integrity to go through shipping.
Also, when moving more massive or bulky items, some individuals join two boxes with tape. Although this may be useful for a safe space, it is not always the best action. Delivery companies such as FedEx and UPS may refuse to accept parcels that are not securely and adequately packaged. However, do this carefully based on the specific shipping packaging of your courier company, if allowed at all.
Taping Two Boxes Together
- It is essential that both boxes are joined together with tape, and there would be no spaces between the two.
- It is advisable to apply additional quantities of the tape along the seams to ensure extra stability.
- You should confirm with your courier and see if this is okay with them.
Sustainable Packaging Options
As people become more conscious of the environment, there is a rise in the search for sustainable packaging. This could include using biodegradable material or recycling boxes as containers for food items. For instance, companies such as Amazon have strict regulations on sustainable packaging.
However, for those constantly shipping items, environmentally friendly packaging is an excellent strategy to minimize emissions. Also, making sure that the packaging you design is recyclable enhances the responsibility of the recipients in disposing of the packing appropriately.
Sustainable Tips:
- Choose recyclable items such as cardboard and paper.
- Try as much as possible to reduce plastic products that are only used once and then disposed of.
- Search for packaging that meets standards set by these organizations, such as the FDA for food packaging.
Packaging Design Guidelines
Each shipping company has its packaging design requirements that must be met to prevent any damages or losses. These guidelines ensure that the packages are handled correctly throughout the delivery process. Here’s a breakdown of some significant carriers’ guidelines:
- FedEx Packaging Guidelines
If you are shipping with FedEx, proper packaging should be adhered to to meet the requirements of the transport company. According to FedEx, one should pack the belongings in a strong box and close all the valves tight with rigid tape. Further, they also suggest using cushioning materials such as bubble wrap for packing sensitive goods inside.
FedEx also has special regulations that cover such products as pharmaceuticals; such products require additional safeguarding, and they may also need to be preserved under certain temperature conditions. Thus, doing it right will reduce the risks of delivery of delicate goods and other items.
- UPS Packaging Guidelines
The UPS packaging policies are almost like those of FedEx; the boxes used have to be strong, and the items have to be securely packed. They add that when packing, it is crucial to ensure enough padding within the package to avoid shifting items from one corner to another.
UPS also supports to use of sustainable packaging solutions to reduce the effects on the environment, for instance, the use of recyclable materials.
- USPS Packaging Guidelines
USPS also provides comprehensive guidelines on packaging. They recommend using appropriate box sizes that adjust the shipped item and the shock-absorbing material and should avoid reusing damaged/weak boxes. For small items, USPS padded envelopes or small boxes are lovely.
For international shipping, USPS has particular demands, such as customs declarations that should be placed outside the parcel.
- Amazon Packaging Guidelines
A prime example is if you are a seller using Amazon FBA, Fulfillment by Amazon, you must explore Amazon packaging requirements and guidelines for packaging your products.
Other packaging requirements that Amazon implements include size, weight, and type of packaging, particularly for the sales-ready packaging. The packaging type Amazon recommends for FBA products should bear scannable codes and package designs that can survive in a shipping environment.
- Walmart Packaging Guidelines
As with Amazon, Walmart has set standards and regulations regarding the packaging of products sold within their marketplace. These depend mainly on how goods are secured during transportation to avoid damage. Walmart also promotes using sustainable packaging in its products to minimize wastage.
FDA Packaging Guidelines
For anyone transporting pharmaceutical products or food items, it is important to consider the guidelines issued by the FDA for packaging. The FDA has very set measures and conditions that they have put in place to help check on the safety and quality of items, especially those that are affected by some conditions such as temperature or humidity.
Cold chain packaging involves the use of insulated boxes and sometimes refrigerants to maintain the right temperature.
International Packaging Guidelines
International shipping is a bit trickier because of customs rules and regulations. When packing your items for shipment internationally ensure that you adhere to particular packaging requirements of international shipping so that your items can meet the standards of the country in which they will be shipped.
Customs Requirements
Each country has its regulations as to what can be shipped and how the packages should be marked. In addition to the shipping label, customs forms should be placed outside your box or envelope.
These papers contain the details and worth of the goods to be shipped and must meet the import requirements.
Freight Packaging Guidelines
For larger shipments, specific freight packaging guidelines should be adhered to. This involves placing heavy products on pallets and also making sure that the packages are well organized. Freight shipments also need further labeling and often need to meet international standards for shipment across borders.
Air Freight Packaging Guidelines
When transporting goods through air freight, packaging is more considered because the goods are exposed to different handling and conditions. Containers should be properly cushioned, and informational labels should be easily readable. Products that require a specific temperature for storage must have to undergo cold-chain packaging regulations.
Final Checks Before Shipping
Ensure all the items sent in the package are well-wrapped and sealed before posting the package. Check the weight of your parcel to ensure it meets the weight limits set by the courier company of your choice.
However, weight means the combined weight of the content and the pack; therefore, do not weigh the items individually.
In case you are in doubt, most courier services offer a guide on packaging design or tips on their websites. They can assist in making sure that your package is free from any legal requirements that require conformity and is fit for shipping.
Conclusion
It is essential to follow proper packaging methods that will guarantee the safe arrival of your items and avoid any damage. This is especially true even if you are shipping through FedEx, UPS, USPS or selling on Amazon or Walmart platforms. Use rigid materials, secure your items, and attach the shipping label correctly for a smooth shipping process, locally or globally.
Additionally, the sustainable packaging of the products and the following international shipping rules can make the shipping process more accessible and environmentally friendly.
FAQs on Packaging Guidelines
- What are the guidelines for Packaging?
The item must be placed in a rigid carton, wrapped with padding material, closed and sealed with rigid tape, and a detailed shipping label. Every carrier, like USPS, FedEx, or UPS, might have some specific conditions. However, they aim to preserve the items from damage during shipment.
- Is it possible to just wrap a box in plastic and ship it?
You can wrap a box in plastic to enhance its protection but the shipping label must be seen. The wrapping used should not hide the scans or in any way harm the label during transportation.
- How do we make it possible to have optimum packaging?
For appropriate packaging, ensure that you use a strong carton and cushioned areas that are or may be vacant, and then ensure you cover the box tightly with tape. It is essential that the shipping label is well-printed and easily readable and should be fixed to any flat part of the delivery package.
- How to do packaging of package?
First and foremost, one should select a responsibly strong box. Insert other forms of cushioning, such as bubble wrap. Put the item in the space and ensure it cannot move around. Place more padding if needed, then close the box properly with strong tape before fixing the shipping label.
- How do you seal a box without tape?
One has to consider the types of boxes and the materials they utilize for sealing those boxes. It is done by tying the box with a string, using rubber bands, or having auto-seal boxes with ends. Nonetheless, it is advised to use tape for enhanced security purposes.
- What are the four R’s of Packaging?
The 4 R’s of packaging are Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Recovery. These principles serve the purpose of reducing wastage, increasing reusability, and recycling as a sustainable approach for packaging.
