Reviewed October 1993
Contents
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Mail order sales is a major segment of the retail market. Many people like to shop by mail because they save travel time and shop at their convenience. In addition, it is easy to compare merchandise, and a greater array of merchandise may be available. Taking advantage of mail order sales may increase the potential market, but it also adds a new responsibility: packing goods to withstand the bumps, drops and jars of shipping.
The way your merchandise arrives tells your customer how much you care about quality and may determine whether or not the customer orders from your business again. That's why it is so important to package and ship your merchandise correctly.
Shipping is big business. To be successful, shippers have to be efficient and prompt. Therefore, packages are moved by conveyer belts, stacked into trucks, and transported over roads that are in good and poor condition. Contents of packages are subject to shock (dropping or bumping), to compression (stacked on top and under others) and to vibration (road conditions). Proper cushioning materials, strong boxes and appropriate closure materials help protect your goods during shipment.
How fragile is the item to be shipped? Not only glass and ceramic items need to be packed carefully; consider also that wood can crack, metal can bend or dent, fabric can wrinkle, and corners on objects can be damaged.
Placing an item in a tight fitting box does not provide sufficient room for cushioning materials. Instead, carefully protect items with cushioning materials, then place in a corrugated box of adequate size that has sufficient cushioning (3 inches on all four sides). If the item is fragile, place the box inside a second box to provide additional protection.
The United Parcel Service (UPS)* is a common carrier used throughout the United States and the world. They have established guidelines for packaging that have contributed to their established reputation as a safe, reliable service. Regardless of the carrier used, following these guidelines will help to ensure the successful shipping and delivery of your goods.
New corrugated cartons can be purchased from suppliers of paperboard boxes. They are also available from most moving companies or rental outlets. Boxes may also be purchased from companies whose business is mailing for the public.
Several kinds of cushioning material are available.
Pack several inches of cushioning materials in the bottom of the carton. Then, wrap items separately and place them in the center of the carton. The further you keep fragile articles away from the corners and sides, the less chance there is of damage.
Stuff cushioning material firmly around, over and between the items. Shake the box to be sure that nothing rattles and to settle the packing material. Add more cushioning material, if necessary.
To close a carton securely, use one of the strong tapes below, two inches or more in width.
The address must include the ZIP Code of the receiver with the complete street address. When addressing to a P.O. Box or Rural Route destination, include the recipient's telephone number on the label. Include the apartment number for all multi-unit dwelling addresses.
If there is any possibility that the label might come off or that the writing might smear, cover it completely with a wide band of pressure sensitive, transparent tape.
Always include your complete return address with your ZIP Code and full street address. For added protection, place a duplicate label inside the package.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends that addresses be typed in all capital letters with no punctuation.
Some items require special consideration when being packaged for shipping. Protect pointed areas with tape; enclose paper in corrugated paper tubes; double-box fragile items. For help with unusual items, contact the shipping office in your area or make use of specialty mailing/packaging services. Their employees are experts in safe mailing procedures.
Individual carriers offer other services for the protection of your packages. Through the U.S. Postal Service you can buy insurance, up to a maximum of $600, for packages mailed first class. Insurance is not available on packages mailed parcel post. UPS automatically insures all packages for up to $100 for no additional charge. Additional insurance is available at a nominal charge. Some carriers also offer COD (Cash on Delivery) service. This means that the recipient must pay for the goods and shipping when the package is delivered. Some form of delivery response information is available for a small fee from most carriers. This lets the sender know that the package was received. UPS offers AOD (Acknowledgment of Delivery); the U.S. Postal Service offers a return receipt for a fee on packages insured for at least $51.
A variety of rapid delivery services is available from many carriers for additional charge. It is possible to guarantee that your package will be delivered the same day, the next day, or within two days.
No one carrier is always best. The most economical delivery for a given package will depend on the size, weight, destination and urgency of the package. You may wish to check with several carriers before deciding which to use. To cover the costs of rapid delivery, you could require that customers pay an additional fee for same-day or overnight delivery.
Remember, proper packaging is a vital step in mail order package delivery. Your business will be judged by the package when it arrives. If the contents are broken or torn, or if the package does not get there in a reasonable amount of time, your customers will consider it a reflection of your company, and they may decide not to do business with you in the future.
Many shipping companies have size and weight limitations. These may change, so check with them if a package seems questionable.
UPS
If the weight is less than 25 pounds and the length plus girth exceeds 84 inches, the weight will be counted as 25 pounds. For special regulations on packages shipped within Texas, contact UPS.
Federal Express
United States Post Office
Checklist for safe packaging
MP629, reviewed October 1993