How Are Items Prepared for Shipment?

Are you familiar with necessary product packaging protocols? By following the best practices, you can minimize potential risks associated with shipping and transporting goods across land, sea, or air. Within this blog, to familiarize yourself with shipping materials necessary to keep products safe while in transit, we will discuss common materials provided for packing and how they are used.

Minimizing damage and contributing to a more streamlined shipping process, properly packaged materials help mitigate the risk of a customer or individual receiving any damaged goods after they have been purchased. To achieve optimal support, various protective packaging products like bags and bag accessories, edge/corner protectors, and shipping boxes can be used depending on the fragility of the item being packed. As such, there are four kinds of packaging levels that should be considered for an object ready to be shipped to its next destination. Consisting of primary packaging, secondary packaging, shipping packaging, and carriage packaging, the utilization of these methods allows for maximum protection depending on the composition of an item, its method of delivery, and overall customer satisfaction.

Primary Packaging

To achieve successful operations, it is imperative that all who are responsible for the package procurement process align a product with the correct packaging materials and operational procedures. Beginning with a product's primary packaging, this is the initial wrapping, container, or box that houses the item. Providing sufficient product protection, primary packaging also includes essential information indicative to a business’ operations and values on customer satisfaction. Typically coming in direct contact with a part for quality reassurance, primary packaging must be chosen based on product size, shape, and durability for optimal support.

Secondary Packaging

After the primary packaging procedure has been completed, a package can then be moved on to the next step—secondary packaging. Known as the outer wrapping used to protect primary packaging, secondary packaging keeps all units of a good safe within a single container to expedite the transfer of goods while upholding optimal product protection. Additionally, secondary packaging serves as a form of marketing and advertising. As secondary packaging is the outer protective layer of a shipment first feasible to a customer, poor packaging quality can be indicative of a lackluster facility and should be avoided. Common options for secondary packaging include: a bundle of shrink-wrapped packages, cardboard boxes, boxes containing smaller boxes, plastic crates, trays, etc.

Shipping Packaging

Used for storage, transport, and recognition purposes, shipping packaging is required for all orders. Commonly referred to as tertiary packaging, this level of the packaging process facilitates the integrity of secondary packaging and all products within its containment. Serving as the primary housing container for a packaged product, packaging materials for this step often include paperboard boxes, corrugated boxes, plastic boxes, rigid boxes, chipboard packaging, poly bags, foil sealed bags, and more, depending on the items being shipped. Once shipping packaging has been completed, all items ready to be shipped can be placed into carriage packaging for ease of storage.

Carriage Packaging

Alongside utilizing the best product packaging for a part’s optimal support during transportation, it is imperative that all units are in accordance with national and international transport standards. As products of various shapes, sizes, and forms can be transferred to multiple locations by differing means, it is imperative that items in transit do not pose a risk to the vehicle or any other accompanying items during their commute. To ensure all materials being sent to their next destination are in compliance with a vehicle's dimensions, alongside following specified protocols for items of different compositions, containers used for carriage packaging must be recognized by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

Although known for their robust ability to keep products safe from damage while in transit, packaging materials can also be applied for warehouse and storage purposes. Packaged products help to minimize damage while contributing to efficient warehouse management and organization. With continuous operations posing a threat to unsecured products, those not maintained in secure and easily-identified packaging can become a liability if lost or shipped out as an incorrectly labeled product.

For the best packaging products for the best packaging practices, we at Internet of Industrials have you covered. At Internet of Industrials, we understand the value of fast and reliable product delivery. As a dependable distributor of various packaging and shipping equipment, we invite you to browse our inventory for numerous packing materials, shipping supplies, carton staples, mailers, tubes, strapping, packaging tape dispensers, other various equipment, and more. Due to our quality control and export compliance, we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certification and accreditation. If you would like to request a quote for your comparisons, you can submit an RFQ form as provided on our website. Upon receipt, a dedicated account manager will quickly review and respond with a personalized solution to your needs in just 15 minutes or less, 24/7x365