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Shipment packaging: How to pack for international shipping?

From selecting the right materials to ensuring your package meets safety guidelines — learn how to pack your shipment for international shipping.

Proper shipment packaging in international shipping is essential to ensure that the cargo arrives at its destination in the same condition as when it was packed. Whether shipping a small consignment or a large one, it is important to understand the key factors to consider when freight is being packed and shipped.

Importance of shipment packaging

Shipment packaging is essential to ensure that the shipment arrives at its destination in the desired condition. Here are some of the reasons why shipment packaging is important in international shipping:

Prevents damage

The right shipment packaging protects goods during transit and prevents damage.

Reduces cost of shipping

The right packaging helps reduce overall weight and size of the shipment, which can result in lower shipping costs.

Better customer experience

Proper freight packing and shipping can help improve overall shipping experience.

Types of shipment packaging

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly package shipments for shipping:

Gather materials

Before you start packaging, you need to gather materials needed such as boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and shipping labels.

Choose the right box

Make sure to choose a box that is appropriately sized for your goods. The box should be sturdy and not too big, as this can lead to additional shipping costs and potential damage during transit.

Prepare your goods

Wrap each product that you want to ship. For fragile goods, wrap them in bubble wrap to ensure they are protected during transit.

Fill the box

Place your goods in the box and fill any empty spaces with crumpled paper to prevent any damage.

Seal the box

Close the box and secure it with packing tape.

Attach the shipping label

Place the shipping label on the outside of the box, making sure it is easily visible and securely attached.

Weigh and measure the package

Weigh the package and measure its dimensions to determine the shipping cost and ensure that it meets the requirements of the carrier.

Choose a shipping carrier

Choose a shipping carrier that suits your needs and budget.

Ship the package

Take the packaged shipment to the shipping carrier or schedule a pickup if offered, and ship it to its destination.

Things to keep in mind when preparing cargo for international shipping

When preparing cargo for international shipping, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and hassle-free shipping experience.

Understand the regulations

Different countries have different regulations when it comes to shipping. It is important to research and understand regulations of the country to which goods are being shipped to avoid any issues during transit.

Proper labeling

The shipment should be clearly labeled with name, address, and contact information as well as recipient’s name, address, and contact information.

Right packaging

The right shipment packaging is crucial to protect goods during transit. Make sure to choose the right type of packaging for goods to prevent any damage.

Declare goods

All goods shipped internationally must be declared on the shipping label and customs declaration form. Make sure to accurately declare the value and contents of the shipment to avoid any issues with customs.

Insurance

Consider purchasing insurance for the shipment to protect it against any damage or loss during transit.

Choose the right shipping method

There are several shipping options available for international shipping, including air and ocean freight. Choose the right shipping method based on specific needs and budget for a hassle-free shipping experience.

Ship internationally with Amazon FBA

With Amazon, Indian exporters can send their shipments across the world via Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). To assist global sellers and exporters deliver international orders in a hassle-free and seamless way, Amazon takes care of everything from packing, shipping to delivery and customer service through the FBA program. With FBA, sellers can focus on their business expansion in terms of product quality, launches, marketing and more, while Amazon handles international shipping for them. To support you for hassle-free logistics, Amazon has also launched SEND, enabling you to ship directly to international fulfillment centers at competitive prices. All you have to do is book, pay and track shipments without any hassles from India to the world.

Explore Amazon SEND

To export from India, register with Amazon Global Selling in just 15 minutes by sharing a few KYC documents (identity proof, address proof and credit card). With over 300 million customers globally, you can leverage Amazon’s global scale across 18 global marketplaces in 200+ countries and territories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the cheapest way to send a package internationally?

Sea freight and container shipping are relatively less expensive to send a package internationally.

Which type of container is used in air freight?

Unit Load Devices in the form of pallets and containers are used in the case of air freight.

What is the maximum height for air freight?

In the case of air freight, the height of the shipment usually should not be more than 160 cm.

What are the most common packaging materials?

Cardboard boxes, Corrugated boxes, shrink wraps, woven sacks, and jute bags are the most common packaging materials.

What are the common materials used in packaging food?

Plastics, metals (steel, tin, aluminum), glass wood, cardboard, and papers are some of the commonly used materials in packaging food.

Which packaging materials are best to use?

Corrugated cardboard, cardboard cartons, and plastic packaging.

What are the different sizes of FCL Containers?

The standard sizes for FCL containers usually are 20' and 40' containers. Both these sizes offer standard and high cube sizing.

Is FCL better than LCL?

When sending large quantities of goods, FCL is better than LCL. However, in the case of small shipments, LCL usually comes out better.

Published on February 26, 2023.

Sources:
1. https://www.shippingandfreightresource.com/6-tips-to-preparing-your-cargo-for-international-shipping/
2. https://internationalmoving.com/how-to-pack-for-international-shipping/
3. https://globalforwarding.com/blog/packaging-international-shipments

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