Packaging Requirements

High quality packaging

Consider strength, cushioning, and durability when choosing your packaging; polystyrene chips, polyethylene foam, bubble plastic, crumpled aircushions or shredded paper.

Corrugated cardboard

Choose boxes made of corrugated cardboard, with good quality outer liners. Use heavy-duty double-layered board for valuable items.

Strapping

Use strapping, when suitable, as a good way to seal and secure your box.

Strong tape

Use strong tape if a strapping machine is not available.

Jiffy bags

Remember always to pack small items in Jiffy Bags.

Triangular tubes

Use triangular tubes, not round tube-type cylinders, to pack rolled plans, maps and blueprints.

Remove labels

When re-using a box, remove all labels and stickers.

Use dividers

Always use cardboard dividers when sending flat, fragile material (such as vinyl records).

Attractive packaging

Don't send goods sold in attractive packaging as they may not be suitable for shipping.

Badly packaged

Don't use substandard or damaged cartons. Ensure that the box is in good shape and not worn out.

Label as fragile instead of careful packing

Don't consider "Fragile" and "Handle with care" labels as a substitute for careful packaging. They are only appropriate for information purposes.

Circular tubes

Don't use circular tubes for rolled papers as they will roll around making them more difficult to pack and ship than triangular mailing tubes.

Don't allow contents to move

Choose the appropriate size of packaging for the items you are sending. Under-filled boxes are likely to collapse; overloaded ones may burst.

Cloth or fabric bags

To ensure your items are adequately protected - don't use bags made of fabric or cloth.

Resend parcel without removing old labels

Don't reuse old packaging without removing all previous labels and stickers.