Delivering happiness and needs
Going by the title, it seems easy, right! Been there, done that. Think deeply, and you shall be reminded of those few, little err moments when either the parcel didn’t get accepted due to unsuitable packaging, took more time than needed because details went missing, or worst case, the parcel never landed on its destined planet for reasons known to none.
Packaging a courier mindfully is one of the crucial steps of delivering it in good condition and on time to your near and dear ones. Unfortunately, the sender often misses foreseeing the route and method the package takes while traversing miles and miles across the country or continents. Thankfully, the pigeons, donkeys, and horses are long gone and replaced by air, surface, and express cargo delivery alternatives which not just ensure timely arrival but also provide a much-relieving option for tracking the goods.
To make things easy and sail smooth, we have come up with tips one should keep in mind while packaging the courier right depending upon the mode of transport as well as shipping time.
Get the shipping rules in order
How simple it is to follow instructions and go by the rules. Yet, the majority like to defy them for the thrill of it, or perhaps, it is real ignorance that lands the process in a soup. First and foremost, choose a cargo delivery company that meets your needs. Somebody who gives you the chance to book in advance and slot your deliveries, consider it a bonus! Choose how soon or late you want the cargo to arrive at its destination and accordingly decide upon the mode of transport. While express delivery by air is best for urgent needs, there is no harm in slowness with the surface if there aren’t tight deadlines. Next bet, how solid is the content inside the package, would it need fragile care or can be handled roughly; make notes and then get with the packaging. Most courier companies have the instructions loud and clear on their website or marketing brochures. Pay attention or just call the helpline beforehand to get expert advice.
Avoid over packaging
We understand your concern in terms of the security of the cargo, however, there is a borderline difference between care and obsession. Avoid overfilling your box with goodies for the thrill of paying less and sending more. If the carton is screaming at you with inner contents on the verge of popping out, relax and repack. Make sure that the box is sealed properly without any tears at the corners. Overfilling a box may not only harm your things but may also cause problems with other shipments. Reduce the number of items to be delivered or upgrade to a larger box if overflowing. Use appropriate fillers like packing peanuts also called foam peanuts or crushed newspapers, if the items underfill the box.
Fool-proof your parcel
Choosing the right type of protective layer or wrapping is important for your courier. For fragile items or electronics, consider using foam peanuts, for small jewelry, books, or documents, use bubble bags. Go for packaging foam for cameras, lenses, heavy industrial items, or dishes. An excellent suggestion is to use packing tape to seal the bottom of your box. Increase the tape on the bottom and seal the edges if you have heavy products to reduce wear and tear.
For those who do not believe in using unnecessary packaging material, simply opt for old cloth rags or old newspapers to seal the gaps and keep the contents of the parcel in their place.
Days in transit
Before sending your packaged courier to the receiver at the other end, make sure that you are aware of the total number of days that will be taken for the transit. Depending upon the mode of courier selected, it can take anything from 24 hours to a week or more. But what if the courier gets delayed due to unforeseen circumstances and contains perishable goods. Factor in such small pointers and package/courier accordingly.
Cargo content form
While shipping your package, it is important to provide a thorough description of the items being shipped. This informs about the cargo contents and how much caution must be carried. Do stick the cargo content form on the package for hassle-free travel of your parcel.
Address it right
Last but not the least, it is of vital importance that your packaged courier reaches the correct receiver at the other end. Put down the receiver’s address with proper pin code and landmark and contact information to avoid ambiguity and confusion. Use bold, capital, and clearly highlighted letters. Keep the spacing constant to make it readable. Always, put down a return to address in case the parcel is misplaced or undelivered. That way, your precious items can travel back to their original home safely before another fruitful attempt is made to send them out, yet again.