Packaging and shipping merchandise for E- commerce businesses - The Ultimate guide

Packaging and shipping merchandise for E- commerce businesses - The Ultimate guide The E commerce industry is growing like anything with new businesses coming up everyday and making things more competitive for the already existing players and the new comers. With the surge in Ecommerce websites people have taken fancy to buying online since things are sold at a cost effective price and delivery is made right at the doorsteps. Postage and shipping sometimes is on the business rather than on the customer who has ordered the merchandise.

E commerce businesses realize the importance of Expedited shipping and cheap shipping since they are working in a highly competitive market that swears by the quality, low costs and services it provides to its customers. While maintaining quality once needs to maintain quality in almost everything right from the quality of the merchandise you provide to the service you offer including the packing material your pack your good with.

Packing the merchandise while transporting it to your clients is of utmost importance since many of the things you are going to transport may be fragile and may require delicate handling. Faulty or under quality packaging not only ruins the reputation of the E commerce website it also may lead to damage to the items that are being shipped to consumers.

Importance of Packaging for the E-commerce Industry: It is very important to make sure that your parcel is properly packaged, to prevent it getting damaged while transporting it from one place to another. Always remember that bad packaging may cause damage to the item itself and it may also prove to be damaging on other items that are being transported along with it. Your organization’s reputation is written on the packaging thus it can also act as a branding mechanism for your organization. Better the packing better the impression.

Characteristics of good packaging: Choosing the right box •

Wooden boxes can provide solid protection and should be used for very fragile items that stand a chance of getting damaged if transported in a cardboard box. Use wooden boxes for jewelry and items that require fragile handling.

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For heavier items, heavy-duty double-layered cardboard boxes are ideal.

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Avoid using boxes in the shape of a tube or cylinder. These can roll around, increasing the risk of damage. Even if you have items that have the shape of a tube or cylinder should be transported in square or rectangular boxes.

Cushioning your parcel

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While packing items to be sent out to customers make sure there is a small space of around 5 cm between your item and the sides of the box. This space need to be filled with cushioning material to ensure the safe movement of your goods.

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Liquid containers need to be sealed securely to prevent leakage during transit. Wrap the container in impermeable material, surrounded by absorbent material.

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Separate any bottles or fragile items with cushioning materials to make sure they don't clatter against each other.

Safe Packaging Advice Avoid damage to your goods and make maximum use of your storage space by following these simple packing tips: •

Pack with shipping foam, bubble wrap or other packing material. Wrap each item separately and completely, and surround each item with bubble wrap.

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Fragile items, such as glass and ceramic objects, need extra packaging. Use bubble wrap and place the item in a separate box inside the packing box.

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Close and seal cartons securely using suitable packing tape.

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Make sure your item doesn't touch the side of the box.

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Seal the box securely using unbreakable paper tape.

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Use a cardboard box to pack your item safely.

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Choose a box that's just the right size so there's as little space as possible between the item and the side of the box.

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Protect your data discs, audio and videotapes with soft cushioning material around each item.

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Check the gross weight limit on the bottom of these boxes and do not exceed this limit.

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Choose the right size of the box according to its content.

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Use strapping, whenever needed, as a good way to seal and secure your box.

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Make sure liquids are stored in leak-free containers, packed with a lightweight, strong, internal material and sealed with a plastic bag.

Avoid common packaging mistakes •

Don’t seal the box before attaching the suitable address label.

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Don't put small items in enormous shipping envelopes or courier bags.

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Don't use standard staples for securing package.

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Don't use boxes that can't be safely and easily moved by drivers and the receiver.

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Remove any old addresses and shipping labels from your packages to avoid possible confusion about their origin and destination.

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Use good packing tape or unbreakable carton tape on both the top and bottom of your package or seal the package well.

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