Packaging Guidelines
We know how important it is that your parcel is delivered safely and undamaged. Packing your parcel carefully gets it off to a good start.
These reminders may help you, Make a packing list ensuring that everything included in the packages is itemised accurately.
Please check that we can accept your parcel
Prohibitions or restrictions may apply to your goods. These are detailed in our prohibitions and restrictions page. Ignoring them may lead to delays, accidents or damage to other parcels. You will be asked to accept the World Cargo conditions of carriage, which include a declaration that the parcel you are sending does not contain dangerous or prohibited goods. For parcels being sent to non EU destinations you will need to declare the contents on the Customs Pack/pages.
Click here for restricted goods page
Wrap each item in the parcel individually
This takes a little longer, but offers better protection when there’s no movement of contents. Place all items within an inner box and wrap them in bubble wrap. When sending printers, ink cartridges must be removed from the printer and packaged separately in a manner that cannot contaminate any other item.
Protect fragile items on their journey
Expanded polystyrene chips; polythene foam; bubble wrap air cushions or crumpled paper around all items is a good cushion against knocks and vibration. Please ensure that polyblock surrounds are used on all electrical items.
Use a strong outer container
A corrugated fibreboard box with a good quality craft outer wrapping is best. Sub-standard and damaged cartons can cause problems.
Seal the parcel well
Make a ‘H’ seal with 48mm/50mm-wide plastic or reinforced carton tape on both the top and bottom of your package. Ordinary household adhesive tape isn’t usually strong enough.
Strap and tape for extra protection
For heavier items you will need a strong outer carton, closed with tape. String around boxes isn’t really suitable, but can be used around other wrappings.
Transporting electrical items
When transporting electrical items - e.g. laptops, DVD players etc - please make sure that they have the original manufacturer's transport screws properly secured to ensure that elements/components do not move.
Do not strap multiple boxes together
This may cause them to become damaged. Place all boxes in one outer carton
Prevent movement of items in transit
Please ensure that multiple items within a parcel do not touch. Place contents in a firm cardboard box, closed so that it cannot come open during transit. Guitars and other musical instruments should be packaged in a hard case with sufficient internal packaging to ensure that the instrument cannot move during transit. Please note that if the instrument hard case is used as the external packaging then the case itself will be treated as packaging and not contents, as a result the case will not be covered for damage compensation. Any instrument strings should be loosened. Musical instruments will only be covered up to £150 of compensation for loss or damage
Is the carton strong enough?
We also recommend an inner cushioning lining of at least 50mm as further protection against damage. A compensation claim for damage of contents will be deemed invalid if the parcel is inadequately packed or if the packaging is not retained for verification.
Addressing and documentation
Using the full address and postcode/zip code is essential to ensure correct delivery. The phone number of the recipient also helps to avoid any delay. Include your own address and phone number on the outside and inside of your parcel too.Correctly completed documentation
It is important to make sure that all necessary documentation is fully and accurately completed for all parcels, to avoid any delay in transit. Kindly please fill in our PACKING LIST ensuring that everything contained therein is listed accordingly.