How to Pack and Ship a Computer System

Computers are delicate, and may break during shipment.

Shipping a computer can be stressful. There are always horror stories of crushed boxes and damaged goods. With a computer system, there are several parts that can be damaged during transit if the system is not packaged correctly. When packing and shipping a computer system, pack everything tightly with the proper materials to cushion the equipment.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Corrugated cardboard box or original packaging
• Styrofoam packing material
• Bubble wrap

1. Purchase a box that will hold the computer with two or three inches of free space around the perimeter. No part of the computer should touch box. The original computer box is ideal if you still have it.

2. Wrap the computer with at least two layers of bubble wrap. Place a layer of Styrofoam along the bottom of the box.

3. Place the computer in the box and add Styofoam to fill the remaining space along the sides. The computer should not have room to move at all.

4. Rock the box back and forth to see if the computer slides around. If it does, pack the box with additional Styrofoam and bubble wrap. For additional protection, package the box inside of another box with packaging materials before shipping.

5. Seal the box with packaging tape along the open seams. Place multiple "Fragile" stickers on the outside of the box.

6. Take the box to a shipping service, such as the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, DHL or Fedex.

7. Insure the package up to the value of the computer, and get a package tracking number.