Packaging and shipping merchandise for E- commerce businesses - The Ultimate guide

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Packaging and shipping merchandise for E-
commerce businesses - The Ultimate guide

• The E commerce industry is growing like anything
  with new businesses coming up everyday and making
  things more competitive for the already existing
  players and the new comers. With the surge in
  E-commerce websites people have taken fancy to
  buying online since things are sold at a cost
  effective price and delivery is made right at the
  doorsteps. Postage and shipping sometimes is on
  the business rather than on the customer who has
  ordered the merchandise.
• E commerce businesses realize the importance of
  Expedited shipping and cheap shipping since they
  are working in a highly competitive market that
  swears by the quality, low costs and services it
  provides to its customers. While maintaining
  quality once needs to maintain quality in almost
  everything right from the quality of the
  merchandise you provide to the service you offer
  including the packing material your pack your
  good with.

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• Packing the merchandise while transporting it to
  your clients is of utmost importance since many
  of the things you are going to transport may be
  fragile and may require delicate handling. Faulty
  or under quality packaging not only ruins the
  reputation of the E commerce website it also may
  lead to damage to the items that are being
  shipped to consumers.
• Importance of Packaging for the E-commerce
  Industry
• It is very important to make sure that your
  parcel is properly packaged, to prevent it
  getting damaged while transporting it from one
  place to another. Always remember that bad
  packaging may cause damage to the item itself and
  it may also prove to be damaging on other items
  that are being transported along with it. Your
  organizations reputation is written on the
  packaging thus it can also act as a branding
  mechanism for your organization. Better the
  packing better the impression.
• Characteristics of good packaging
• Choosing the right box
• Wooden boxes can provide solid protection and
  should be used for very fragile

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• items that stand a chance of getting damaged if
  transported in a cardboard box. Use wooden boxes
  for jewelry and items that require fragile
  handling.
• For heavier items, heavy-duty double-layered
  cardboard boxes are ideal.
• Avoid using boxes in the shape of a tube or
  cylinder. These can roll around, increasing the
  risk of damage. Even if you have items that have
  the shape of a tube or cylinder should be
  transported in square or rectangular boxes.
• Cushioning your parcel
• While packing items to be sent out to customers
  make sure there is a small space of around 5 cm
  between your item and the sides of the box. This
  space need to be filled with cushioning material
  to ensure the safe movement of your goods.
• Check the gross weight limit on the bottom of
  these boxes and do not exceed this limit.
• Choose the right size of the box according to
  its content.

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• Liquid containers need to be sealed securely to
  prevent leakage during transit. Wrap the
  container in impermeable material, surrounded by
  absorbent material.
• Separate any bottles or fragile items with
  cushioning materials to make sure they don't
  clatter against each other.
• Safe Packaging Advice
• Avoid damage to your goods and make maximum use
  of your storage space by following these simple
  packing tips
• Pack with shipping foam, bubble wrap or other
  packing material. Wrap each item separately and
  completely, and surround each item with bubble
  wrap.
• Fragile items, such as glass and ceramic
  objects, need extra packaging. Use bubble wrap
  and place the item in a separate box inside the
  packing box.
• Close and seal cartons securely using suitable
  packing tape.
• Make sure your item doesn't touch the side of
  the box.

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• Use strapping, whenever needed, as a good way
  to seal and secure your box.
• Make sure liquids are stored in leak-free
  containers, packed with a lightweight, strong,
  internal material and sealed with a plastic bag.
• Avoid common packaging mistakes
• Dont seal the box before attaching the
  suitable address label.
• Don't put small items in enormous shipping
  envelopes or courier bags.
• Don't use standard staples for securing
  package.
• Seal the box securely using unbreakable paper
  tape.
• Use a cardboard box to pack your item safely.
• Choose a box that's just the right size so
  there's as little space as possible between the
  item and the side of the box.

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• Protect your data discs, audio and videotapes
  with soft cushioning material around each item.
• Don't use boxes that can't be safely and easily
  moved by drivers and the receiver.
• Remove any old addresses and shipping labels
  from your packages to avoid possible confusion
  about their origin and destination.
• Use good packing tape or unbreakable carton
  tape on both the top and bottom of your package
  or seal the package well.
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