When shipping items overseas whether it be for personal or business reasons it is important to make sure you have taken all of the steps available to ensure that your things arrive at their destination in perfect condition without any losses or damage while in transit. How you choose to pack and package a shipment is an integral part of the process and can make the difference between your belongings arriving in one piece or not so putting in an effort here matters.
While it may seem overwhelming, depending on what you are shipping, to find proper packaging that fits your needs especially if you are moving oddly shaped, large or heavy items there are a number of companies that can help with all of your packing and crating needs. If you take the time here to make sure everything is snug and secure before heading off into transit it is much less likely that what you are shipping will get lost or incur any major damage along the way.
- Consider the Mode of Transport
How you plan on getting your cargo to its final destination will impact what type of packaging is needed for the items you plan to ship. Goods are packed differently for each mode of transport as the conditions change depending on the method of delivery. Ships, airplanes and trucks all handle cargo differently so it is important to decide on this before you begin any packaging.
- Research Packaging Options
There are a number of choices you can make when it comes to the packaging of your shipment which is great as an improperly packed one often means unnecessary damage and delays to your items while it is in transit. Choosing the right option that works best for what you are sending overseas will help to protect your goods as they will be properly packed and safeguarded until they reach their destination. Here are a few of the packaging methods you can decide on.
- Crating
If what you are shipping is worth a lot, fragile, overweight, irregularly shaped or of special value finding a company that can custom design and build containers for your shipment then crating is likely the best option for you. They determine how much protection is required to keep the cargo secure and whether there are any environmental concerns and then they will build a crate to specifically suit the items needs. Though very good crating can be expensive so factor this in.
- Palletizing
If you are shipping multiple items but do not feel that crating is necessary then you could consider getting them palletized so that they will be easier and faster to load and unload and are also more stackable and less likely to get damaged during the shipment process. If using air to transport your goods palletized cargo is less desirable but when moving it by ship, train or truck it is usually a benefit to have the goods on pallets as they are much easier to transport.
- Shrink Wrapping
There are some shipments that may need to be shrink-wrapped like boats and industrial equipment as it may be too difficult to crate or put them on pallets for transit. Sometimes companies that are packaging your cargo for you will shrink wrap the pallets as well as an extra precaution to keep the goods safe and secure and also to protect them from the weather. There is cargo that can be shipped with only shrink wrap keeping them safe and free from any damage.
- Secure items in Boxes or Crates
When you are dealing with professional packaging and crating companies it is not likely you will have to worry about this but it is important to ensure they are cushioning and bracing your items properly so they do not become damaged within the containers that hold them. If you are doing it on your own be sure to fill all of the packages with things like packing popcorn or bubble wrap. This can help to decrease any breakage that may occur in transit.
- Ensure Proper Labeling
How you choose to label your shipment is important as if the cargo is not labeled properly with a clear and easy to see destination and return address and phone number there is an increased likelihood of your goods being misplaced or lost completely. It is also suggested to mark breakable items as fragile and time sensitive ones as perishable. Do not list what is inside the crates or boxes as this may lead to your cargo being lost to theft while en-route.
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