If you’re going to ship fragile items, such as glassware or pottery, invest in custom shipping boxes. Double walled cardboard shipping boxes provide extra strength and security for your delicate items. In the back of a freight truck, or on an airplane, boxes are stacked on top of each other on the presumption that the boxes are going to be able to support the weight of whatever is in the box on top of them – which can weigh as much as 75 pounds!
The reason you don’t want to recycle shipping boxes is that old boxes collapse. The sides give out. The rigidity that you were counting on to protect your fragile items just isn’t there. Bear in mind that multiple boxes can wind up stacked on top of your shipping box: the total weight of multiple boxes can be many hundred pounds. You want to have confidence that the box protecting your glassware or other fragile item can carry the load.
Technology is a special consideration. If you’re shipping laptops, tablets, or other computers, it’s important to use custom shipping boxes that have just enough room for the item and packing material that cradles and cushions your item against knocks, drops, and other damage. We’re big fans of foam in place packing: this innovative material forms a hard protective shell around high tech items that protects them from moisture, electric shock, and other forms of damage.
Take your time when packing items for shipping. If you’re in a hurry, mistakes get made. One of the biggest problems we see with people who ship items unsuccessfully is that they use boxes that are much too large, and they don’t use enough packing material to protect their items. When shipping boxes are too large, items shift around inside them during shipping. This can result in damage as your item impacts the side or top of the box as it is moved. Packing material is essential – you need both the right type and amount. Your Boston shipping store can hook you up!
