Insufficient packaging may impede your shipment: that’s why we recommend that you follow these instructions.
During transport, goods must be able to resist bumps, vibrations, and falls from at least 1.5 metres.
Insufficient packaging may have the following consequences:
- Damaged goods.
- Delays to delivery times.
- Handling of goods.
- Automatic claim rejection.
- Total destruction of the goods.
1. External packaging
- Select good-quality packaging. Choose quality and sturdy materials, in good condition, and always opt for a box rather than plastic envelopes.
- Use a corrugated cardboard box. Make sure that the cardboard is sturdy and resistant. The box should be new.
- Make sure to use a box suited to the size of the goods, avoiding leaving any empty spaces.
- Handling instructions (fragile, this way up arrows, etc.) do not guarantee the safety of the goods. Furthermore, black plastic film packaging can cause problems with the carrier’s scanners (this type of packaging makes it impossible for the scanners to automatically register dimensions): this may disrupt carrier sorting chains and incur additional handling fees.
2. Internal packaging
Packaging protects goods during transit. Proper packaging should protect items from any bumps or vibrations, but also act as a shock absorber and must retain its original shape.
Polyethylene foam sheet
This offers optimal surface protection and perfectly absorbs any shocks. It is ideally suited to protecting light objects.
Bubble wrap
Compressed air ensures good protection for light items. This flexible material facilitates the packaging of items of any weight or size.
Inflatable packaging
Inflatable packaging uses air to isolate and protect items from the external temperature.
Adjustable foam
Adjustable foam forms a protective layer around any type of product, reinforcing corners and protecting edges. It is very useful as padding.
Wrapping paper
Wrapping paper or kraft paper used as padding should be properly crumpled so that each article is covered by a layer of at least 5 cm of paper.
Expandable foam/Polysterene packing peanuts
These are the lightest and most affordable materials, offering heightened resistance against any possible impacts and capable of returning to their original shape.
Moulded foam
This is better known as flexible foam.
Corrugated cardboard
At least two sheets of single or double-wall corrugated cardboard should be used to create optimal protection between the item and the container (external packaging).
Modular packaging
This involves using boxes of different sizes which can be inserted into each other.
Pallet
This is a platform made of planks of wood, used to transport heavy or bulky goods.
Corner profiles and protectors
Used to protect the edges and corners of furniture, doors, and panels, etc.
3. Close and seal correctly
- Seal and close the box with an H shape: Mark an H with adhesive tape on all possible openings.
- Use reinforced and high-quality adhesive tape . The tape should be at least 50 mm wide. It is important to cover all openings on the box.
- Insert cardboard (or plastic) on the edges and on the outside of the box to evenly distribute pressure and avoid damage.
4. Documents
Attach the labels, ensuring that they are visible on the outside of the box. Upon collection, the delivery driver will scan the label’s barcode. Take care to only leave valid labels on the box and remove any other label, to avoid confusion.
5. What type of goods do you want to ship?
Suitable packaging depends on the goods you want to ship. Below you will find a quick packaging guide according to the type of goods shipped:
Glass bottles
Aluminium containers
Fragile goods
Paintings
Display stands
Electronic items
Furniture and pallets
Documents
CDs or Records
Books
Sports items
Bicycles
Toys
Spare parts, wheels and tyres
Glass bottles
Bottles should be transported in special packaging, intended for the transport of these types of items, as they require packaging which allows for them to be held in place within the box, and unable to knock together:
- Always check that the bottles are in good condition and that caps are closed.
- Bottles should be wrapped in an absorbent and waterproof material.
- Place the bottles in a box with internal separators, an anchoring point, polyethylene inner tubes or polystyrene tubes.
- Improvised bubble wrap or newspaper packaging will be considered insufficient.
- We recommend not shipping any other type of item with bottles (clothes, books, etc.).
Suitable material
Polystyrene
Modular box
Unsuitable material
Bubble wrap
Aluminium containers
With Packlink, you can ship aluminium containers with a maximum volume of 3 litres. We recommend that you do not send more than 10 litres per package, as it is best to avoid overly heavy and difficult to transport parcels, given the fragility of the contents.
- Always check the container’s condition and that it is properly closed.
- Use a sheet of polystyrene both as a protective base and as a padding material to avoid leaving empty spaces.
- Avoid allowing any contact between containers.
- Do not mix containers holding liquids with other types of items (clothes, books, etc.).
Suitable material
Polystyrene
Modular packaging
Unsuitable material
Bubble wrap
Fragile goods
You can ship fragile objects by taking particular care to ensure their packaging. In short, the goods transported on conveyor belts in the different warehouses through which they will travel must be capable of sustaining falls of at least 1.5 m.
- With this type of item, you should always use double-wall corrugated cardboard boxes to protect the goods from impacts and avoid the box folding under the weight of other parcels.
- Add a layer of at least 5 cm of padding to the top, bottom and each side of the object in order to stabilise this within the box.
- Always use foam cushions above and below the product, ensuring that they are perfectly adapted to its shape and protect it during transport.
Suitable material
Polystyrene
Inflatable packaging
Unsuitable material
Bubble wrap
Wrapping paper
Paintings
If the painting is protected by glass, add adhesive tape in the shape of an X to prevent the glass from detaching from the painting in the event of any breakage.
- Wrap the painting in at least two layers of bubble wrap. Bubble wrap will absorb shocks in case of impact, and so it is best to generously wrap your items.
- Protect corners with polyethylene.
- If you are sending several paintings at the same time, use rigid, double-wall and modular cardboard with internal padding.
Suitable material
Bubble wrap
Modular packaging
Unsuitable material
Single-wall cardboard
Display stands
Display stands should be placed in a cardboard or plywood box.
- Place a layer of at least 5 cm of polystyrene on the four sides of the box, which will serve as a protective base.
- Add polystyrene packing peanuts or air cushions to fill any spaces and prevent the goods from moving.
Suitable material
Pallet
Moulded foam
Corner profile
Unsuitable material
Bubble wrap
Single-wall cardboard
Electronic items
If you still have the manufacturer’s original packaging,, we advise you to use it, adding a box inside to provide more protection.
- The original box can be used to make a single shipment: we remind you that reused boxes lose their resistance and can no longer protect the goods.
- In order to prevent goods being damaged, you should protect these with ‘this type of foam cushion’
- Vibrations and bumps during transport may cause damage: make sure that your items are not in direct contact with the walls of the box (at least 5 cm apart).
- Avoid using polystyrene, which may cause static electricity and damage electronic items.
Suitable material
Moulded foam
Unsuitable material
Polystyrene
Furniture and pallets
The services we offer at Packlink are not specialised for the transport or movement of furniture. However, to ensure that your shipment arrives intact, we advise you to follow these tips:
- Use a platform as a base (like a pallet) to facilitate the goods’ transport.
- Use expanded polystyrene to protect corners.
- Protect furniture with foam.
- Furniture should be placed in a rigid, plywood box. Add a layer of at least 5 cm to act as a protective base, and padding material to fill any empty spaces.
- Wrap packages on the pallet using plastic film in order to hold them in place and ensure that none of your packages protrude from the pallet.
Suitable material
Corner profiles
Pallet
Unsuitable material
Kraft paper
Documents and files, etc.
To ship documents, plans, and maps, etc., you should:
- Wrap each item in a plastic pocket to protect it from moisture.
- Use perforated cardboard protection with adhesive closing, or a tube capable of supporting and protecting large documents, rolled up rather than folded.
Suitable material
Modular packaging
Unsuitable material
Bubble wrap
Wrapping paper
CDs and records
To ship CDs or records, you should:
- Send each item in perforated cardboard with adhesive closure.
- For external packaging, use double-wall corrugated cardboard and add a layer of at least 5 cm of polystyrene on each side of the box.
- Each item should be individually wrapped.
Suitable material
Modular packaging
Unsuitable material
Bubble wrap
Wrapping paper
Books
Wrap books in perforated cardboard with adhesive closure.
- For external packaging, use double-wall corrugated cardboard and add a layer of at least 5 cm of polystyrene on each side of the box.
- Each item should be individually wrapped.
Suitable material
Modular packaging
Unsuitable material
Bubble wrap
Single envelope
Sports items
Wrap each item individually in several layers of bubble wrap, protecting the products from any possible scrapes. As well as optimally absorbing shocks, it will adapt to the shape and size of any product.
- Take care to properly protect corners and edges.
- Items should be separated.
- Each item should be wrapped in a layer of at least 5 cm of bubble wrap. Avoid any contact with the sides of the box by leaving a distance of at least 5 cm. This will protect the items from any vibrations during transport.
- Add as many sheets of bubble wrap as necessary to keep items from moving within the box. You can test this by shaking the box.
Suitable material
Bubble wrap
Corner profile
Unsuitable material
Wrapping paper
Bicycles
To successfully ship your bike, the pedals, wheels, seat and handlebars should all be detached and wrapped separately.
- Wrap detachable parts separately with bubble wrap.
- Use a double-wall corrugated cardboard box and add a layer of polystyrene on each side to protect the goods during transport.
- Ensure that the parts do not knock together and that there are no empty spaces.
Suitable material
Bubble wrap
Modular packaging
Unsuitable material
Wrapping paper
Toys
Wrap each item individually in several layers of bubble wrap, protecting the products from any possible scrapes. As well as optimally absorbing shocks, it will adapt to the shape and size of any product.
- Take care to properly protect corners and edges.
- Items should be separated.
- Each item should be wrapped in a layer of at least 5 cm of bubble wrap. Avoid any contact with the sides of the box by leaving a distance of at least 5 cm. This will protect the items from any vibrations during transport.
- Add as many sheets of bubble wrap as necessary to keep items from moving within the box. You can test this by shaking the box.
Suitable material
Bubble wrap
Corner protector
Unsuitable material
Single-wall cardboard
Spare parts, wheels and tyres
Wrap each item individually in several layers of bubble wrap, protecting the products from any possible scrapes. As well as optimally absorbing shocks, it will adapt to the shape and size of any product.
- Take care to properly protect corners and edges.
- Items should be separated.
- Each item should be wrapped in a layer of at least 5 cm of bubble wrap. Avoid any contact with the sides of the box by leaving a distance of at least 5 cm. This will protect the items from any vibrations during transport.
- Add as many sheets of bubble wrap as necessary to keep items from moving within the box.
- To ship doors, bumpers, and mudguards, etc. you will need to use rigid and non-deformable packaging which will appropriately protect the goods and hold them in place.
- To send spare parts, you will need to check with the carrier that they accept shipments of these types of items.
Suitable material
Bubble wrap
Corner profiles
Unsuitable material
Wrapping paper