Packaging Your Goods: Tips & Tricks from Transglobal

At Transglobal Express, we understand that you want your goods to arrive at their destination in perfect condition. To achieve this, it is extremely important to ensure your shipment is packaged properly both on the outside and inside. Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to best protect your parcel during transit.

Preparing your Shipment

It is important to choose a suitable shipping carton - this is the box in which you place the goods you wish to send. At Transglobal Express, we believe your shipping carton should be:

• an appropriate size - ensure the box you choose is not too big or too small. Overloaded boxes may burst while under-filled boxes are likely to collapse.
• strong - your box needs to be able to cope with the weight of your goods. Heavy duty, corrugated cardboard boxes are ideal.
• high quality - ensure the shipping carton you're using is high in quality and in a good enough condition to withstand transit.

Remember! Do not use boxes which have dangerous or hazardous symbols on them. These will be stopped and incur costly fines by the carrier.

Inside your Shipment

It is important to ensure your goods are protected inside your carton. Using materials, such as bubble wrap, is ideal for preventing your goods moving or breaking during transit. We suggest that particularly fragile items are placed near the centre of the package, making sure they do not touch the sides of the carton being used.

Transglobal's Top Tip
Fill in any remaining space within your box with additional cushioning materials. This will minimise potential impact on your items during transit.

Did you know? We have recently launched our brand new online shop!

You can now purchase high quality and affordable packaging supplies and accessories from our new online shop. Visit today to browse our wide variety of products, including bubble wrap, cardboard boxes and tape. Your parcel is precious, package it with care!

For further help and advice, visit the packaging information page on our website.

A Guide to Courier Services: protecting your parcel against loss and damage

Who hasn't felt nervous about placing their goods in someone else's hands when shipping overseas? Whether you are shipping your belongings abroad in advance of a house move, delivering goods to a customer, or sending a gift to an overseas relative, your cargo is precious and your top priority will be to ensure it arrives not only in a timely manner but in exactly the condition you sent it. There are several steps you can take to do your best to ensure that this happens.

1. Choose a courier service you can trust

When you are shipping overseas, you need a service you can trust.  Using a company with long-standing experience, a well-established brand and a good global network is important. Transglobal Express works only with the top four global courier services: DHL, UPS, and FedEx and TNT: shipping with us means you'll get exactly same delivery service as if you were booking directly through these carriers- the only difference is the price!

2. Package your parcel appropriately

The best way to protect your parcel against damage is to ensure it is packaged appropriately. This means choosing the right size and strength of box and cushioning your goods sufficiently inside it. Most carriers advise that your box should be able to withstand a drop from waist height- this should give you an idea of the amount of cushioning you need. We recommend at least 5 cm between each item within the box and between the edges of the box and its contents. 

TOP TIP: take a photograph of your parcel, inside and out, before it is collected. This won't take you long at all and in the unfortunate event of loss or damage, it will be much easier for you to process any claims with evidence such as this. 

3. Take out appropriate cover

All parcels shipped with Transglobal Express are covered for a minimum of £50, free of charge. If your parcel is much more valuable, you may wish to take out additional cover for extra peace-of-mind. Then, if anything goes wrong, you won't be out of pocket. Certain very fragile goods - such as glass and pottery cannot be covered, so if you need to send these, make sure you follow step 2 as best you can! For more information about what can be covered, please see our website or contact our claims team on 0845 145 1212.

How do I package my parcel? Top tips for protecting your consignment

It’s simple enough: you want to send a parcel internationally, so you find a quality courier service, select a convenient collection time and make a booking. After you have printed off the appropriate documentation, and before your consignment is picked up by your preferred carrier, you need to give some thought to how to package your parcel correctly.

Packaging your parcel correctly is not difficult, but it’s important that you follow a few easy guidelines to ensure that your goods are protected in transit.  Worldwide courier services are massive operations, and while carriers should always endeavour to treat your parcels with care, remember that many stages of the transit process will be automated: your parcel is likely to pass through sortation centres using conveyors and chutes, parcels may be stacked and while ‘fragile’ labels may be useful for information purposes, they are no substitute for careful packaging.

You should think about two main areas when packaging your parcel: the shipping carton, or box, and how your contents are placed within it. Ask yourself the following questions:

The shipping carton:

• Is it strong enough for the contents of my consignment? If applicable, do the contents weigh less than the maximum weight limit of the box? For heavy or valuable items, double layered cardboard is best.

• Is it the right size for my consignment?

• Is it in good condition? We all recognise the importance of going green. Reusing your boxes is commendable and great for the environment, but remember only to do so if a box remains in good condition.

Inside the shipping carton:

• Is there sufficient cushioning material, such as bubble wrap, between each of my items, and between each item and the box edges? Most carriers recommend a minimum of 5 cm.

• Are fragile or valuable items especially protected?

• Are sharp edges fully protected? Fixed heavy cardboard is best for this.

• Are small items packed into flyers?

• Are liquids and semi-liquids or greasy substances stored in leak free containers?

If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions then your parcel has the best chance of arriving in perfect condition. For further information, visit our packaging advice webpage. Happy packing! 

Pinterest | Parcel Packaging Ideas

Trouble with your parcel packaging? This week we’ve compiled a list of innovative packaging ideas. No matter if you wish to send a gift or business consignment, the following designs range from crafty and vintage to eco-friendly and classic looks. 

Please note:
Before you start to wrap your parcel, make you to read through your carrier’s packaging guidance. Print it out if you like and tick off each of the given points to avoid bad surprises from the customs office. 

Below, you will find a selection of our favourite Pinterest parcel packaging ideas. We hope that these clever designs will inspire you to make your parcels to look extraordinary and unique. Your receiver may be surprised. 

Sources: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 and #9.

Send a Safe & Secure Parcel by International Courier

Do you have something you want to send overseas? If so, here are 10 steps to packaging your parcel safely and securely.


1. Securing your parcel by choosing a box that is the right size for what you are looking to send. If it's too big, there is a risk of it being crushed during transit, and if it is too small it it may split and the contents get lost.
2. Make sure your packaging is strong enough to stand up to the journey it has to take.
3. Corrugated cardboard boxes are always a prefered option for providing protective packaging for a parcel. They are extremely strong and can withstand more pressure than other forms of packaging.
4. Mazke use of cushioning around the items you're sending. Bubble wrap and foam are the will help to keep your items safe.
5. Make sure the most fragile items are in the middle of the parcel, away from the edges, as this will be the most vulnerable part of any package.
6. Once it's wrapped, make sure you add tape to edges and openings to secure your parcel even further.
7. If you're sending something that already has its own parcel, covering it in brown paper may be enough. However, if you want extra assurances that your item will arrive securely, it may be a good idea to repackage them in a bigger box.
8. For parcels containing liquid or powder, you need to make sure the lids are fastened tightly and that extra precautions, such as waterproof bags, are used to protect the outer-layer of the parcel.
9. It's also a very good idea to package up liquid items separately from other items you wish to send. This will minimise the risk of damage to the non-liquid items.
10. Finally, for extra peace of mind, make sure the parcel is labelled up clearly with the address and any directions (such as 'this way up').


Once your parcel is secure, you need to find the right international courier service. If you need to send a parcel to the USA, Australia or anywhere else in the world, make sure you find a service that can ensure its safe and secure arrival. For help and advice in choosing the right international courier service, click here.

For help getting the best deal for your worldwide parcel delivery needs, visit TransglobalPremium.co.uk and get the right global courier for you.

Parcel Packaging - Protect Your Parcel During Transit

The parcel delivery industry is currently a thriving and highly competitive market, operating worlwide on a daily basis. Regardless of where in the world you want to send your parcel, the process has never been easier and if you are prepared to shop around you can take advantage of some fantastic deals. Regardless of whether you want to send a parcel within the UK, or send a parcel internationally to destinations such as the USA, India or China, it is really important that you think about how you will protect your parcel during transit. 

How to package a parcel is a technique which is quite often overlooked. A well protected parcel will not only arrive at its destination undamaged, but will also not damage any other parcels within the same shipment. It is very easy to leave arranging a parcel courier service until the last minute but what if you do not have suitable packaging materials to hand to protect your parcel? Would you delay sending the parcel whilst you sourced the materials? Or would you be tempted to make use of any materials you have at hand and send the parcel with 'adequate' packaging? 

With a little bit of planning you can source suitable packaging materials in advance, find the best prices for your packaging materials, and save yourself the stress of having to make claims for a parcel which has arrived damaged.

• Use an experienced and reputable parcel delivery service. Make sure that they are equipped to meet your requirements; can they deliver within the required timescale? Do they offer parcel tracking facility? Do they offer standard insurance cover against damaged parcels?
• Consider how you will package your parcel; what is the size and shape of your parcel? Will you wrap it or would a box be more suitable? Will you need to include a note to the parcel recipient? If so, how will you attach this?
  
  If are using a box to protect your parcel:
  • Find a box the right size - not too small and not too big! If the box is too small for the package it is likely to split in transit and the contents could spill out causing loss and/or damage. If the box is too big the package will be free to move around inside the box making it susceptible to damage.The box could also get squashed by other parcels during transit if there is too much free space inside.
  • Place your item at the centre of the box and use padding to 'cushion' the goods on all sides. This prevents movement and helps to support the box from the inside.
    
  • Use corrugated cardboard to support the inner walls of the box - this will help to prevent it from buckling easily.
  • Use bubble wrap or foam for cushioning.
  • Use sticky tape to secure the bubble wrap around the item if necessary. 

• If your parcel item is partricularly vulnerable, notify the courier or parcel delivery service provider when you book the shipment. if necessary, consider leaving a note stating 'Fragile' or 'This Way Up'. This offers no guarantee but at least you are doing your best to notify the driver of the vulnerability of your shipment.
• Parcels containing liquid or powdered items may be best packaged seperately to avoid damage to other items if there is a spillage. Ensure that all tops are on secure and the goods are very well cushioned.
• Make use of the couriers parcel tracking facility to check the progress of your goods.

Whilst parcel courier services make every effort to ensure your goods are handled with care and arrive safely at their destination, you should always try to help them by ensuring that the parcels are packaged securely for their protection. Many courier services will check the standard of packaging and can refuse shipment if they consider it inadequate. Save yourself time and hassle by offering suitable protection for your parcel.

For further packaging advice to ensure safe parcel delivery, click here.

Transglobal Express provide discount parcel delivery and courier services with TNT, UPS, DHL and DPD. For a no obligation parcel delivery service quotation, visit www.transglobalpremium.co.uk. We also have a dedicated customer services team on hand to help you. In the unlikely event that there is a problem with your parcel being lost or damaged in transit, we will handle the claims process direct with the courier on your behalf.

Top Postage Tips for eBay Buyers and Sellers!

eBay is the world's most recognised online marketplace, with individuals and small businesses trading through it on a daily basis. eBay provides users with easy access to buy and sell merchandise online, and has the capacity to enable them to reach an audience on a local, national and international level. The following guidelines provide some useful tips to help you send or receive parcels purchased through eBay with ease and efficiency.




1. Make sure you are not paying over the odds for your postage
 
You may have made huge savings by winning your dream item at auction for a fantastic price. Make sure you don't pay over the odds to get it delivered by suggesting to the seller that you will arrange your own delivery service. Get some comparative quotes from parcel delivery carriers to ensure the seller is charging you a reasonable fee.

If you are selling on eBay, make sure your postage costs are as low as possible. This will attract positive feedback from your customers and they will be more likely to buy from you again. Low postage fees reduce your overheads so shop around - your customers don't want to feel as though they are being over-charged.

2. Securely Package your Parcel
 
Any parcel being sent by courier or mail service is at risk of damage during transit. Make sure you securely pack with strong materials to reduce the risk of damage and to avoid receiving negative feedback or having to deal with returned items. Corrugated boxes are ideal for protective packaging. 

If you are reinforcing flimsy items with corrugated sheets, make sure the ribs of the corrugated sheets don't lie in the same direction, otherwise the package will be easily bent. When using Jiffy bags, don't rely on just the sticky strip. These can often be of poor quality. Reinforce Jiffy bags with extra tape to make sure they stay sealed and this will also serve as extra padding. Refer to our earlier entry on DHL Packaging Advice for Safe Parcel Delivery.

3. Be selective with your Parcel Delivery Service

Thousands of eBay users use standard mail services such as Royal Mail and Parcel Force on a day-to-day basis but are they always getting the best value service? With a whole host of courier service around it is a very competitive market and well worth your while shopping round. Don't just go to the Parcel Delivery service direct, third-party courier companies resell the services of all of the top couriers at discounted rates. Further information on choosing the best parcel delivery service is available here.

4. Insure the package against loss or damage

Always check to see if your parcel is covered under any standard insurance. If you are using a courier service your parcel will often be covered up to a value of around £60. Take out extra insurance on expensive items to cover them for loss or damage. It usually costs around £5 extra and guarantees that neither you or your customer will be out of pocket if anything does go wrong during shipment. Let your customers know the insurance is in place as this reflects well on you and your business.

5. Cover yourself when you send and receive your parcel

Always check the weight and dimensions of your parcel before you send. This avoids any weight and size discrepancies with the parcel carrier. Most carriers will ask you to sign when your receive the goods. This is not only to confirm that the goods have been received, but to confirm that they have been received undamaged.

Always check the goods before you sign - even if they try to pressure you to sign without checking. This covers you if there is a problem and the item is damaged. Remember, it is their policy which states that you should sign to confirm that you have received the goods undamaged therefore they have to weight for you to check the goods - don't let them pressure you!

• Further information and advice on how to package a parcel is available in our article on  DHL Packaging Advice for Safe Delivery.
• Advice on choosing the best parcel delivery service is available here.
• If you are looking for free, no-obligaton quotations for DHL, TNT, UPS and FedEx parcel delivery services at discounted prices, please visit www.transglobal.org.uk.

Transglobal Express Parcel Packaging Service

Choosing the most appropriate method to package your parcel is key to ensuring that your parcel arrives safely and without delay.

Always try to choose the right sized package for your item. Boxes which are too big are likely to get squashed; packages which are too small for the item is likely to burst in transit.  Always use high quality materials and consider strength and durability when selecting your wrapping supplies.

If you find yourself short and need to get your parcel sent out at short notice, Transglobal Express can offer the following packaging solutions:

• Standard boxes* (59 x 40 x 54cm)
• Large boxes* (60 x 49 x 58cm)
• Pallets* - We can secure and wrap your boxes onto a suitable sized pallet which can be heat treated and stamped as required (depending on the destination).
• Wooden crates* - All crates are made to measure.

*Prices for all of our packaging options can be supplied on request.

All shipments must be wrapped and packaged and may be rejected by the courier if they are deemed to be insufficiently packaged. This is not only to protect your goods, but also to prevent damage to other parcels during transit. Our standard and large boxes are reinforced double-walled cardboard boxes and can be delivered direct to your door on a next day service via DHL.

Please refer to our article 'DHL Packaging Advice for Safe Parcel Delivery' for further information and advice for how to package your parcel.

Two very important checks to ensure successful international parcel delivery...

Excess baggage charges is a common issue when it comes to air transport, irrespective of whether it is a commercial or domestic airline.  If you were going on holiday, you would expect to pay excess baggage charges on your luggage if it is overweight or if you have too many items. Similarly, sending a parcel internationally can become quite expensive if you incur excess baggage charges.

Here are a couple of important checks for you to consider prior to packing your parcels, when requesting a quotation, or before booking a parcel delivery service to any destination.


Check Baggage Allowance

It may sound simple, but the first and most important thing for you to do is to check the maximum baggage weight allowed. The size and weight of your package could mean the difference between the package being sent via passenger air transport and specialist courier cargo plane.

If you can send your package via passenger air transport, you can make significant savings. Check the weight of your package to ensure that it meets the allowance specified by the courier company. Also, if you received a quotation for delivery of a parcel based on specific parcel weight and dimensions, double-check the weight and dimensions of your package against those which you entered at the quotation stage.

Couriers will check the weight and dimensions of a package and additional charges will be incurred if they are found to be greater than those quoted for.


Check the Contents
 
Shipping goods from one place to another is generally not difficult and most goods carrier services offer a reliable delivery service for a variety of shipment types. However, there are certain things which can not be taken onboard.

For this reason , you should be aware of the list o f items which can not be shipped to a specific country. This will save yo u time, money and reputation as you reduce the risk of delay or failed delivery of your package.

We have published a list of common restricted and prohibited items which can not be accepted for carriage or storage. This page also contains further links to each courier's specific unaccepted and restricted items.

If you are at all unsure about whether your item will be accepted for international parcel delivery, please contact our customer services team who are available to offer you information and advice.


Related Links

• Packaging advice for safe parcel delivery
• How much does it cost to send my parcel internationally?
• Prohibited Package Contents on all International Delivery Services

DHL Packaging Advice for Safe Parcel Delivery

Whilst every care is taken with all of our carriers to ensure that your parcel is delivered safely and undamaged, we would recommend that you consider the following advice to reduce the risk of damage to your goods during damage.

The following information and advice has been provided courtesy of DHL:

You should . . .

• Choose the size of the package according to its content. Under-filled boxes are likely to collapse; overloaded ones may burst.
• Always use high quality materials for your shipments. Consider strength, cushioning, and durability when selecting your wrapping supplies.
• Choose boxes made of corrugated cardboard, with good quality outer liners. Use heavy-duty double-layered board for valuable items.
• Make use of cushioning materials, especially to stop your packaging contents from moving.
• Use strapping, when suitable, as a good way to seal and secure your box. Use strong tape if a strapping machine is not available.
• Put fragile goods in the centre of a package; ensuring they don't touch the sides. Your item should be well cushioned on all sides.
• Ensure liquids are stored in leak-free containers, packed with a lightweight, strong, internal material (for example, Styrofoam) and sealed with a plastic bag. Always remember that bad packaging may cause damage to surrounding items.
• Seal semi-liquids, greasy or strong-smelling substances with adhesive tape, then wrap in grease resistant paper. Always remember that bad packaging may cause damage to surrounding items.
• Place powders and fine grains in strong plastic bags, securely sealed and then packed in a rigid fibreboard box.
• Use "arrow-up" label for non-solid materials.
• Repack your gifts properly. Many goods sold in attractive packaging may not be suitable for shipping.
• Use triangular tubes not round tube-type cylinders to pack rolled plans, maps and blueprints.
• Remember always to pack small items in flyers appropriately.
• Protect your data discs, audio and video-tapes with soft cushioning material around each item.
• Complete the address clearly and completely, using uppercase letters when handwriting labels to improve readability for DHL personnel.
• When shipping sharp items, such as knives or scissors, ensure that you fully protect the edges and points. Heavy cardboard is suitable for this. Fix the protective material securely so that it cannot be accidentally removed in transit.
• Always use cardboard dividers when sending flat, fragile material (such as vinyl records).
• When re-using a box, remove all labels and stickers. Ensure that the box is in good shape and not worn out.

You should not . . .

• Use bags made of fabric or cloth
• Do not over seal your package. Remember that all shipments can be opened by customs authorities for inspection.
• Do not use cellophane tape or rope to seal your shipment.
• Do not consider "Fragile" and "Handle with care" labels as a substitute for careful packaging. They are only appropriate for information purposes.

If you are in any doubt at all as to how to package your parcel, please contact out customer services team who are available to help with your enquiries 0871 855 7474 or email sales@transglobalexpress.co.uk