Tips to Ensure the Safety of Your Items While Packing

Packing and delivering large objects has its own set of difficulties. Your packing materials must be more durable and protective than those used for regular shipments. Bigger cargo is more likely to be transported by forklift rather than by hand. They may also change trucks several times during the trip before they reach their destination.

As the shipper, it is your responsibility to appropriately pack these larger products to minimize damage or destruction during handling by heavy warehouse equipment and transferring between huge tractor-trailer trucks. 

In fact, some carriers may refuse to transport products they believe will not withstand the crush of a hydraulic lift, a forklift’s arms, and other challenges in freight shipping.

In this article, we will run you through how you can pack your bigger cargo better.

Go For Durable Packaging

Select corrugated boxes that can support the weight of a full load of items piled on top of them. Use only new corrugated boxes with water-activated tape that has been firmly sealed. 

You could also wish to add extra product protection to the box’s interior, along the bottom, sides, and top. Add extra layers of strengthened water-activated tape to the bottom of the box for added protection.

Use a Proper Pallet

Securing particular larger objects to a pallet is the best option. The pallet should be built of wood or plastic and strong enough to survive being dragged and raised. The weight of such shipments should never exceed the pallet’s weight limit.

Invest in Cushioning Materials

Heavy objects should be in the middle of the box to prevent them from tilting in transit. For added product protection, wrap them in a thick layer of paper cushioning or bubble wrap. Fill in any blank areas within the box. 

You should never use crumpled newspaper or packing paper since it will compress during shipping. Check to see whether anything is moving within the cargo. Heavier items are more prone to shift about inside a box.

Seal It with Fiberglass Reinforced Tape

For added protection, use fiberglass reinforced water-activated tape on heavy goods. Water-activated tape adheres to a corrugated shipping box, preventing it from being opened during transportation. Using tape that isn’t suited for packaging won’t keep the box from opening during transit and may even allow pilfering.

Add an Extra Box

Insert the packed box inside a bigger box and fill the empty area with cushioning material or bubble wrap. Depending on the object, you should provide at least two inches of leeway between the inner and outer boxes. 

Very fragile items, such as heavy vases, may require additional space. You’ll need enough padding to safeguard the object if the box is dropped or punctured.

Is It Too Heavy?

Consider splitting huge shipments into many boxes and individually wrapping individual components. Overly heavy boxes are more likely to break during shipping, and those lifting them are more likely to drop the carton.

Shake for Good Measure

After the cargo has been sealed, give it a good shake. Make sure that nothing can move inside the box. Anything moving in the box may destroy other delicate items and damage packing material. 

If you hear anything rattling or shifting inside the package, you should open it and repack it. If the contents of a box seem like they’re rattling about inside, many carriers will refuse to take it.

Conclusion

Packaging and shipping your products are crucial parts of any production business. You can’t simply pack up products and send them out to your customers. You must ensure that they arrive in the same condition they were in when they arrived at their destination.

To ensure the safety of your heavy cargo, you can also seek the help of packing and shipping companies.

Are you looking for packing and shipping companies in Delaware? 1 Stop Pack n Ship is a one-stop packing and shipping company offering various solutions for your shipping needs. Give us a call today to get a free quote!