With more parcels being delivered daily across the globe, the risk of delivering damaged parcels is increasing.
Locate2u spoke to parcel expert Geoff Milton, the owner of Internet Express, for tricks and tips for business owners on reducing the risk of having stock damaged in transit.
Here’s a golden rule: If it shakes, it breaks. If your parcel is not neatly fitted into its delivery box, and there is space to move around, chances are high that it will break.
“Delivery is only assumed to be affected properly if the customer receives the parcel in good order and is happy with what they’ve received. To manage that expectation, all of the parties in the value chain and the supply chain need to collaborate to make sure that the expectation of the end customer is met,” says Milton.
Don’t skimp on packaging for shorter distances
Even if a parcel travels a short distance for same-day delivery, it’s still exposed to the same risks on the road.
“Actually, packaging should just be standard across the board. All the items should be securely packaged irrespective of what service type they are. And irrespective of what risks they are going to attract,” explains Milton.
Is bubble wrap alone sturdy enough for my parcel?
To bubble wrap or not? It’s a contentious subject in the industry. Many believe stuffing a box with bubble wrap is sufficient to ensure fragile items don’t get damaged, while others think it’s far from enough.
Milton believes bubble wrap is good to use, but using it as the only wrapping solution is inefficient.
“It’s not the only packaging solution. You can’t just package in one layer of bubble wrapper. [Think of] a priceless painting with glass going somewhere across the country.
He believes bubble wrap is ideal for the inner wrapping of items. “But the outer packaging is even more important.”
For the outer packaging, Milton says you’ll need a single-walled box or, preferably, a double-walled box. Make sure it’s a new one that hasn’t been compromised, and the integrity of the box on the sides or the edges has not been compromised.
“You need to make sure if something rattles, it’s not going to break. So you need to ensure that the box is condensed either with a filler.”
Other options for filling the box include shredded paper, polystyrene chips, or polystyrene blocks. This helps to make the product absolutely secure within the outer packaging.
NOW READ: How to create sustainable packages for your products
Share this article
About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
