In general, insurers are usually satisfied with the way manufacturers package new items or professional companies that specialize in packaging.
If you plan to package your own goods, here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Use cardboard corrugated, sturdy boxes for multiple or large items.
Wrap items individually in the box along with protective cushioning that will absorb impacts during transit. Pack your items with bubble wrap, newspaper, polystyrene, foam, or other types of protective packaging. The items should also be secured so that they don't move around during transit.
Make sure the box is overfilled which will account for settling or shifting during transit. You can use polystyrene peanuts or foam.
For smaller items, use well-padded envelopes.
Seal your package with strong parcel tape that has a minimum width of 3 inches. This type of tape is better and more hardwearing when compared to string, sticky tape, or even masking tape.
Label the package clearly with the full address of the recipient and a 'return address'.
Make sure any items with protruding or sharp edges are covered using corrugated cardboard or padding.
The label must be attached well to the package.
Package rolled goods like wallpaper or fabric into corrugated boxes.
Deliveries and collections are always kerbside-to-kerbside, while pallets are required to be positioned on an even and hard surface such as tarmac or concrete.
The guide to follow is dedicated to packaging pallets
When booking pallet services, use a UK Pallet or a Euro Pallet. Every carrier in the UK will only be able to handle these types of pallets.
Please avoid using American pallets since our service cannot transport these. The pallet that you use will need to be a 4-way wood pallet, which means it can be handled easily by pump trucks.
The pallets that you use must be sturdy and in good condition. Some countries will require heat-treated pallets, so give us a call to find out before you package your goods.
Package items you are planning to transport in cardboard heavy-duty boxes. You can identify these boxes by their ply number (Triple-ply is the best). When arranging your boxes on a pallet, the height should be the same (or as similar as possible) on every level, and all the items need to stay inside the pallet's footprint. According to GES, who often ship up to 20 bikes on a pallet, this is extremely important in terms of cost saving.
The heavier items should be packed along the bottom, which helps to maintain balance and lower the boxes' centre-of-gravity.
Try and keep delicate or fragile items towards the middle of each pallet.
When you have packaged all your items onto a pallet, the next step of the process involves shrinkwrap.
Start by tying your knot to the bottom of the pallet (at a corner). Walk around the base of the pallet 3 times before you move upwards. Make sure the tape is taut while you are walking Finish by capping the pallet off with the shrinkwrap, followed by attaching your label.