10 Tips to Ensure Your Parcel is Delivered Safely

At Interparcel, we know getting your package safe and sound to its destination is your number one priority.

While we can help connect you with a range of couriers, speed up your fulfilments, and support you throughout your shipping needs, we also need you to take the necessary steps to ensure the best chance your parcel will be delivered safely.

In this article, we’ll run through all the vital steps you must follow before sending a parcel. It will significantly improve your chances of the package arriving safe, sound, and without surcharges.

1. Don't Send Prohibited Items

This may be obvious, but some people assume sending a package full of knives with a courier is fine.

Before putting an item in a box, check our prohibited or restricted items list to see what you can and can’t send. This is also vital when shipping products internationally, as border patrol will stop some products from entering the country.

If you somehow miss this warning, your parcel may be refused at customs, and you may receive a hefty fine.

2. Check the Address and Include a Return Address

Address mix-ups happen more often than you'd think. But there's a simple fix. Make sure it’s printed clearly and accurately on a visible part of the package. Remember to remove any old addresses to avoid confusion during delivery.

For international shipments, address formats can vary. Double-checking with the recipient is a good idea to ensure the style is accurate.

3. Choose the Right Boxes

While it's tempting to cut costs with cheap packaging, doing so can lead to significant long-term losses.

During transportation, items are often stacked on top of each other in trucks. It puts pressure on the lower packages. Using regular cardboard boxes might not be sufficient to withstand such stacking weights.

That’s why we highly recommend using double-layered cardboard boxes. It ensures the safety of your products and prevents heavy losses in the long run.

4. Choose the Appropriate Box Size

While having a package slightly larger than the product is acceptable, going too big can lead to problems during transportation. A colossal box may cause the contents to move around, especially when the vehicle makes sharp turns.

While a slightly larger package than the product is okay, extremely large or small, overstuffed boxes can cause issues during transportation. In a large box, the contents may move around, especially during sharp turns, leading to shifts in weight and potential damage or destabilisation of the entire stack. Conversely, an overfilled small box can also lead to parcel damage due to excessive pressure on the contents

To prevent these problems, choose a box size appropriate to the product and pack it securely, ideally in its original packaging. Fill any gaps with cushioning materials like bubble wrap to minimise movement. This approach ensures the package's stability and safety throughout the shipping process.

5. Protective Wrapping

Almost all shipped items benefit from proper protective wrapping to prevent damage during transit. The journey through various fulfilment centres introduces unknown variables. It makes it challenging to predict the conditions your package might face.

To safeguard against damage, take a proactive approach by wrapping all items adequately with bubble wrap or recycled paper. Many sustainable options can protect your item. This helps eliminate the risk of receiving damaged products due to insufficient or no cushioning.

6. Attach the Required Documents

When you’re shipping an item overseas, you need to have documentation and permits ready to avoid getting your parcel held up during customs clearance. Read our blog post on Importing 101 for resources to help you determine what documentation you need.

However, our platform does have a pre-built commercial invoice form that you can fill out when creating an international order. These forms are only basic though, so make sure to double-check all the necessary information needed for your shipment location.