Guidelines for Good Packaging

You can help make sure that your package arrives safely and on time with these good packaging guidelines and procedures.

• Use a rigid box with flaps intact
• Remove any labels, hazardous materials indicators, and other shipment markings from the box
• Wrap all items separately
• Use adequate cushioning material
• Use strong tape designed for shipping
• Use a single address label that has clear, complete delivery and return information
• Place a duplicate address label inside the package
• Double Box is always best
• Insure for replacement value

Original Manufacturer's Packaging

 The original manufacturer's packaging is usually designed for shipments on pallets instead of single piece shipments. Additionally, they are designed to ship the product once, not a multiple amount of times. Therefore, reusing the original equipment manufacturer's packaging to ship through the single package environment increases the risk of product damage. Only if the manufacturer box and inside packing has been specially designed to withstand impact and is in new condition should it be used by itself.

Use an original manufacturer's package only if it is new or almost new. The more a box is used, the more it loses its original protective qualities and may not adequately protect your shipment. Make sure that the box is rigid, and in excellent condition with no punctures, tears, rips, or corner damage, and that all flaps are intact. Remove old address labels.  Make sure that the internal foam is not cracked or broken. If the foam is broken, replace it with a new foam insert.

Double Boxing the Original Manufacturer's Packaging

Another option that includes the use of original manufacturer's packaging is double boxing. All electronic equipment should be double boxed.

  Make sure that the original packaging is in good condition, and that the internal foam is not cracked or broken. If the foam is broken, replace with new foam inserts or repair with two-inch wide pressure sensitive tape. It is important that the shipment cannot move within the original manufacturer's shipping container.

  Select a new shipping container that is at least six inches longer, wider, and higher than the original manufacturer's box.

  Fill the bottom of the new shipping container with at least three-inches of foam-in-place, polyethylene corner or edge pads, loosefill peanuts, or other suitable dunnage material.

  Place the original manufacturer's box on top of the cushioning material and in the center of the shipping container, allowing for at least three inches of cushioning around the the remaining five sides of the package.

  Fill the remaining empty space in the package with foam-in-place, polyethylene corner or edge pads, loosefill peanuts, or other suitable dunnage material..

  Seal the shipping container with either two inches or more width of pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced tape, or 60-pound, three inch wide water-activated reinforced tape. Close the box securely, applying three strips of tape to both the top and bottom of the box, so the middle and two edge seams are sealed.

Non Original Packing

If you do not have the original shipping box and packing or if the original packing is in bad shape, the unit should be placed in a plastic bag (to prevent moisture damage in shipping) then wrap with, 1/2" bubble height, bubble wrap. There should be approximately 1.5" of bubble wrap on all sides. Then place tightly in a box. Then put that box in another box that is 3" larger on all sides on top of cushioning material and in the center of the shipping container, allowing for at least three inches of cushioning around the the remaining five sides of the package.

  If the unit is extra heavy additional packing must be used.