How to Ship a Package Safely & Easily

Shipping a package in a way that ensures it arrives to its destination safely requires that you follow a few simple steps. Taking the time to make sure that you package your items well prevents the recipient from getting a broken or damaged item. Additionally, purchasing tracking information and insurance allows both you and your recipient to feel secure about your package and its safety.

Choosing a Box

When deciding on what size box in which to ship your item, make sure that you have enough room that you can pack your item along with packing material.

However, you don’t want your item floating around in a box that’s way too big, either. Shipping a package that’s extremely large will not only confuse the recipient, but it will also cost you more to ship. Most shipping services charge based on package dimensions, so ideally you want to select a box large enough to hold your item plus one or two inches of packing material.

Key points:

-Leave enough room for packing material
-The bigger the box, the more you’ll pay in shipping fees

Deciding What Kind of Packing Material to Use

Different items ship best using different types of packing material. In general, you can pack relatively light items using packing peanuts, bubble wrap or even old towels or t-shirts if you have them to spare. Heavier items require more care and attention, and the packing material best suited for each type of item varies.

With heavy items, make sure to place a nice, thick cushion of foam or bubble wrap at the bottom of your package to ensure that your item won’t get broken.

You should also cushion the top of the box the same way and pad several inches on the sides as well. You may also want to consult with a shipping provider to understand how to ship a package that weighs a lot in a way that prevents damage and maximizes safety.

Key points:

-Packing peanuts and bubble wrap are common for lightweight items
-Heavier items require more packing material, especially on the top and bottom of the package

Choosing a Shipping Service

Decide on a provider to ship your package. Choosing a well-known and reputable company or service provider increases the likelihood that your package will arrive safely or that you’ll be able to make a claim in the event that damage occurs. Most shipping providers have cost calculators online where you simply plug in your package’s dimensions and weight and select the time frame for delivery, and the calculator automatically tells you how much you’ll pay in shipping. Many providers even let you print shipping labels from your home computer as well.

Key points:

-Know how to make a claim in the event your package gets damaged
-Use online tools like shipping calculators and home label printing to minimize hassle
-Comparison shop to get the best prices on shipping and insurance

Understanding how to ship a package in a way that minimizes both cost and liability will benefit both you and the recipient of your package. Pack carefully, use the best type and amount of packing material for your needs, and track and insure your package. Use online tools to calculate shipping costs, compare service providers and print labels to make shipping and comparison-shopping easier.