Sending Fragile Parcels in the UK – Our Shipping Advice

So whether you want to send a glassware birthday present to a family member, or are a small business owner that sends fragile products on a daily basis; we’ve got you covered with a few tips on shipping fragile products. We’re going to help you choose the right protective packaging.

1.You can’t over-wrap

There’s an old saying in the packaging industry that you can’t overwrap a parcel (I’m not sure if that’s an actual saying, but it’s certainly true). Whether you use bubble wrap, polystyrene chips, or a similar protective material; you can’t go wrong with adding multiple layers of material to protect your package. Make sure you cover each section and all surfaces. Don’t be afraid to use bubble wrap in addition to a slightly larger box with void fill for insulation. At the same time, be sure not to wrap too tightly, as doing this can add too much pressure and potentially cause breakages.

2.Secure it for added safety

Now that you’ve wrapped and packed with layers of protection, you need to make sure your hard work doesn’t come unstuck with a random jolt! Think about it, you need those materials to keep doing their job while your package is in transit (no matter how close or far the distance). You might need to use some tape, bags, or other protective packaging to secure your wrapping. Packing tape is a very important tool, as you can use it to secure safety materials to the contents of your package, as well as to close and secure the box. Two birds, one stone!

3.Order the right size box

It may seem like an obvious tip, but many box-related disasters occur because of incorrect box-to-contents ratio. Think of it this way, you wouldn’t want to wear a sweater that was massively too big for you, right? Even if your item is small enough to fit into envelopes or mailing bags, postal boxes are the most secure way to send and ship, as they provide walls of protection and room for insulation. Therefore making sure you select boxes that are large enough to fit your contents along with the appropriate amount of wrapping materials to keep your items happy and safe is of the utmost importance. Corner protectors can help keep items such as picture frames and books secure in transit.

4.Protect it from the elements

Now that you know how to pack fragile products, you need to know how to protect them from the great outdoors, especially in our unpredictable British climate. Gross box misconduct isn’t the only way a fragile item can be damaged, as rain, snow, puddles, and more inclement weather conditions can cause harm. In order to mitigate this risk, using plastic wraps or bags can come in handy, as they can prevent damage caused by moisture. Make sure to protect your boxes at all costs.

5.Label and insure your package

Now that you’ve protected, secured, boxed, and wrapped your parcel you may be under the impression your job is done and the item is ready to ship. Think again! That fragile item needs to be labeled as such to ensure it will be treated with as much care as possible. Make sure to attach a ‘fragile’ sticker to every side of the item, so no matter what side it is retrieved from, it will always be recognised as such. If your fragile item is very valuable, consider purchasing a high shipping class that includes insurance to cover the damages of any potential mishaps. No matter how careful you can be, no one can control every aspect of the transit trail. Be safe instead of sorry.

Whether you’re shipping a fragile item across the pond or across the street, our box calculator will help you to get the perfect sized, bespoke boxes. Take a look today!