Transporting packages with any carrier involves an inherent and inevitable risk of damage. Given the high volume of packages handled daily, it is only a matter of time before an unfortunate incident affects one of your shipments destined for a valuable customer.
Common causes of breakage include boxes shifting during transport, trucks encountering road bumps, and accidental drops. While these factors cannot be entirely eliminated, mitigating the risk through meticulous packaging is the solution.
Fragile items are vulnerable to mishandling and can easily break during shipping, even when they may not initially appear at risk. This category includes delicate items such as artwork, glass, electronic devices, antiques, and mirrors. Given that 34% of returns are related to damaged packaging, safeguarding these fragile items becomes crucial to ensure customer satisfaction.
This guide will help you to effectively package fragile items for shipping, reducing the likelihood of breakage and ensuring successful delivery.
Fragile Items and E-commerce: A Battle Against Breakage
Fragile products, such as glassware, musical instruments, and delicate technology items, are highly prone to breakage during the shipping process. The handling by carriers often involves rough tossing into trucks, and occasional accidental drops due to box movement during transit. Although these challenges are inherent to e-commerce shipping, they pose significant risks for businesses.
Broken products result in substantial financial losses for e-commerce businesses, including increased customer service inquiries, additional costs for re-shipment, inventory write-offs, and the potential loss of customers.
The encouraging news is that much of the shipping damage can be prevented. Implementing proper packaging techniques and using specialized materials designed for fragile items can reduce the chances of breakage.
Tips on Shipping Fragile Items and Avoid Breakage
Take note of the following guidelines to ensure the safe transportation of your items:
Individually pack fragile items
Wrap each item with bubble wrap or a similar protective material to ensure their safety. In cases where you have multiple fragile items in one package, consider using corrugated inserts to provide additional reinforcement and support. This method strengthens the package and reduces the risk of breakage during transportation.
Consider shipping insurance
The need for insurance coverage depends on the value of your item and the distance it will be shipped. For local shipments of fragile products, insurance coverage may not be mandatory. However, when shipping fragile items internationally, opting for comprehensive coverage is the wise choice. Easyship, for example, offers custoemrs the option of up to $5,000 in shipping insurance, along with up to 70% discounted shipping rates.
Opt for an appropriately-sized box
Selecting the right box size is necessary to safeguarding your item during shipping. The box should be able to withstand the weight of your item while providing enough space for cushioning materials. Consider using double-boxing for extra protection, minimizing the risk of damage.
Employ adequate padding
Cushioning materials like bubble wrap and packing peanuts can be a great asset to ensuring an item’s safety. Be sure to use multiple layers if you think the item is very delicate and requires extra protection. Remember, the more the merrier.
Secure the product to prevent movement
Utilize crumpled newspaper or similar materials to fill in gaps within the shipping box. Ideally, place approximately two inches of crumpled paper between the fragile item and the walls of the box for optimal results.
Ensure prominent fragile labeling
By clearly labeling your package as fragile, postal workers handling it will be aware of its delicate nature. While specific instructions may vary among couriers, a recommended starting point is to affix fragile stickers on all sides of the package.
Vulnerable Items: Know What's Prone to Damage During Shipping
When shipping fragile items, it is crucial to be aware of the types of items that are most susceptible to damage during transit. Here are some common examples:
Electronics: Electronics are delicate and require proper packaging and protection to prevent damage during transit.
Musical instruments: Musical instruments, such as guitars, violins, and flutes, are among the delicate items that require careful packaging and protection during shipping. These instruments can easily be damaged if not handled properly throughout the transit process
Ceramics: Items such as plates, bowls, and figurines fall under this category. Ceramics are fragile and can easily crack or break if not handled with care during transportation.
Glassware: Glass is prone to breaking and can shatter into numerous small pieces, making proper packaging and shipping essential.
Artwork: Paintings and sculptures are examples of fragile artwork. These items are particularly vulnerable to jostling and impact during shipping, so extra care must be taken to protect them adequately.
These examples highlight some of the items that are particularly prone to breakage during shipping. By recognizing the vulnerability of these items, e-commerce businesses can take proactive measures to ensure their safe arrival at the intended destination.
Carrier Options For Packaging Fragile Items
Shipping insurance provides reimbursement in the event of package loss, theft, or damage during transit, offering an additional layer of protection specifically tailored for fragile items.
Now that you have ensured the safety of your package with shipping insurance, the next question arises: which carrier should you select?
To make an informed decision, you need to assess factors such as the destination of your shipment, the rates offered by each carrier, and their tracking capabilities. Understanding these aspects will guide you in choosing the most suitable carrier for your specific shipping needs.
USPS
USPS previously provided a Special Handling-Fragile service that offered priority treatment and extra care for fragile packages, subject to an additional fee. Despite the discontinuation, USPS still emphasizes the importance of protecting fragile items during shipping.
They encourage customers to consider purchasing shipping insurance, along with implementing proper packaging techniques and labeling practices. These measures aim to mitigate the risks of damage to fragile items and ensure their safe transportation.
UPS
UPS provides a convenient option for individuals who prefer professional assistance in packaging their fragile items. By visiting a local UPS store, customers can take advantage of UPS's packaging services tailored specifically for fragile items.
In the unlikely event that any mishap occurs during transit, UPS offers reimbursement for the value of the item, the retail cost of packaging materials and services, as well as the shipping expenses.
FedEx
FedEx provides packaging and shipping services for items that are packaged and shipped through their network. In case of lost or damaged goods, FedEx offers reimbursement up to $100 as a standard coverage. Customers also have the option to declare a higher value for their items and pay an additional fee to extend the reimbursement coverage.
For fragile items, items with a value that is challenging to determine, or items exceeding $100 in value, FedEx offers a maximum reimbursement amount of $1000. This ensures that customers have a higher level of protection for their valuable and delicate items during transit.
When it comes to moving fragile items, ensuring their safety and protection is of utmost importance. Fortunately, there are essential tips that can help you navigate this process and keep your delicate objects intact during the move.
If you find yourself pressed for time or lacking the expertise to handle the packing on your own, ForestPackage is a trusted packaging company that specializes in providing reliable crating and packing solutions.
