Five tips for packing your goods safely

Goods are loaded, unloaded and stacked several times on the way, and they can meet vibration, moisture and pressure from other cargo. Good packing is the cheapest way to protect them. Here are five simple tips.

One: use strong cartons. Choose new, sturdy boxes, ideally double-wall for heavy items, and do not use boxes that are soft, wet or damaged. Do not overload a box beyond what it can carry.

Two: fill the empty space. Items should not move when you shake the box. Use paper, bubble wrap or foam around and between the items, and keep fragile items away from the walls of the box.

Three: seal well. Close the box with strong packing tape along all the seams, and add a second layer on the bottom of heavy boxes. For several boxes going to the same place, consider putting them on a pallet and wrapping them with stretch film.

Four: protect against moisture. Wrap items that are sensitive to water in plastic, and add moisture-absorbing sachets for long sea journeys when the goods need them.

Five: label clearly. Write the full address and phone number of the receiver on every package, add handling marks such as fragile or this side up, and keep a list of what is in each box together with photos before closing it.

Packing does not replace insurance. If your goods are valuable, ask us about insuring the shipment. This article is general information; follow the instructions of the carrier for your specific goods.