How to Pack, Ship Large & Small Items
Large & Small Item Tips
Do you need to move a large, heavy piece of furniture across the country? Or are you planning to ship a small, fragile item? Regardless, you need to use the best packing and shipping practices. The goal is to minimize the risk of damage and ensure the item reaches its destination in the same condition it was prior to shipping.
Read on for valuable tips on how to pack and ship both small and large items – based on industry best practices and field experience.
Shipping Boxes
For parcels and small packages, shipping or moving long distances usually means a bumpy ride.The more your shipment is handled the greater your chance for accidental drops. This does not mean your goods are going to be damaged, it means that you have to prepare your shipment to withstand the shock of moving and shipping. By partnering with Alliance Relocation Services, you can safely ship antiques, glassware, ceramics, or any other small items with peace of mind.
Use the Right Box
Don’t underestimate the importance of the size, material, and quality of the box. It can make the difference between dealing with issues surrounding exchanges/returns and receiving an item in one piece. The box should neither leave too much space for items to rattle around nor fit too tightly to squash them. It should fit perfectly with approximately 2 inches of extra space for padding.
The best way to guarantee the right size for shipping fragile or small items is by having Alliance Relocation Service build-to-order. Custom crates are the safest. It is also important to ensure the material is sturdy enough to contain all the packing material and your items without falling apart.
Internal Packing
Make sure your breakable items have adequate internal packaging. This can include crumpled paper, polyethylene foam, loose-fill polystyrene peanuts, or bubble wrap. Fill empty spaces around the box and between the item with padding material to secure the items in place. If you’re planning to ship multiple items in the same package, wrap them individually with bubble wrap or any other padding material.
To help secure the protective material, you can use packing tape to keep the wrapping in place. In addition, fill out the interior of hollow items with bubble wrap or crumpled paper. If done correctly, you should be able to move the box in different directions with little-to-no movement inside.
Taping and Labeling Best Practices
After packing your items, it’s time to seal it for shipping. Shut the package and secure with high-quality tape. The packing tape should cover all potential openings on either side of the box – and never skimp on tape! The final step in packing a smaller, fragile item is labeling the package with a “FRAGILE” sticker. Make sure you put it on at least 3 sides of the box so the handlers are sure to see it.
Packing and Shipping Large Items
Large items like heavy furniture have specific challenges when shipping. Unlike smaller shipments, the packaging must be stronger and offer more protection. They must withstand environmental elements, compression from indiscriminate stacking, and rough handling by heavy machinery (trucks, forklifts, lift-gates, etc.). T
Use Durable Packing
Custom crates are the most durable packing you can have, and they can withstand the rigors of shipping much better than cardboard. If you use cardboard, use corrugated cartons that can withstand the weight of other items stacked on top. These boxes should be sealed with reinforced water-activated tape to properly secure the items during transit. For an extra level of protection, you can add a layer of Styrofoam around the shipment.
Alliance Relocation Services offers full-wood crating options (delicate or valuable pieces), insulated sectional crates (electronics), A-frame, lined crates (mirrors, and other upright pieces), suspended crates (chandeliers), or skeleton crates (heavier pieces).
Just like smaller items, the interior packing of freight for larger items should be lined with appropriate padding. Start by placing the items at the center of a box or crate to prevent them from tilting during handling. Next, fill the empty spaces around the box with a dense cushioning material to prevent the items from shifting. It’s also important to use a sufficient amount of stretch wrap film depending on the weight of the item.
Get a Free Estimate from Alliance Relocation Services
Shipping large packages or packing small, delicate items can be a daunting task. Between ensuring the optimal safety of your valuable goods and saving on costs, you can be easily overwhelmed – and this is where Alliance Relocation Services can help. We use the best practices and protocols in the industry to ensure your items arrive in the same condition as they were when they left. Give us a call today and save money on shipping items the right way.