How to Prepare Parcels for Shipping

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Rate: (5 Ratings)

Make sure your gift arrives in one piece - pack it correctly!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Remember the three Cs: contain, cushion and close.
Step2
Select a corrugated box made to carry the weight of its contents. Rated boxes have a certificate stamped on the bottom that identifies the gross weight the box can carry.
Step3
Remove any labels or other shipment markings from used boxes.
Step4
Use enough bubble wrap, crushed newspaper (stuff it into plastic bags to keep the ink from rubbing off on your wrapping paper), popcorn or packing peanuts to ensure that the contents of the box won't move while being handled.
Step5
Put a layer of cushioning in the box, set the packages inside and then put layers of cushioning around and between the boxes. Follow with a layer on top, overfilling slightly to allow for settling.
Step6
Protect fragile items by packing them toward the center of the box.
Step7
Pack cookies in loose, unsalted popcorn to keep them from breaking.
Step8
Keep a bow from getting crushed by taping a plastic berry basket over it.
Step9
Keep in mind that the U.S. Postal Service won't deliver a package that weighs more than 70 pounds. UPS delivers parcels of up to 150 pounds.
Step10
Put an address label inside the box before closing in case the original is lost or damaged.
Step11
Seal the box with pressure-sensitive plastic or nylon-reinforced tape. Make sure to reinforce the edges. Avoid masking and cellophane tape, string and paper overwraps.
Step12
Print the complete address on the box in large letters and place it so that it isn't on a seam or closure. Cover the address with clear tape to prevent ink from smearing if the parcel gets rained or snowed on.
Step13
Provide the post office box number or apartment number if applicable. Remember that UPS cannot deliver to a post office box.
Step14
Put a return address on the top left-hand corner of the box (on the same side as the recipient's address). Include your name, phone number and complete return address, including the ZIP code.

Tips & Warnings

  • Don't ship a container that's too large: Measure the height, width and depth of the box. Add them together and then multiply by two. This number may not exceed 108 inches for the U.S. Postal Service.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Go to www.shipcentral.com or www.iship.com to get the cost of shipping your package using various shippers like US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx and DHL in one simple step.

popp12 said

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on 9/25/2007 I found that the best prices for shipping supplies are at esupplystore.com

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eHow Article:  How to Prepare Parcels for Shipping

eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

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