All About Selling

How to pack fragile items before sending to fulfillment centres

Make sure your fragile products get delivered safely

by Ayesha Siddiqa on 8/06/2017

Any product of delicate make and material, which needs to be handled carefully in order to avoid breakage or physical damage should be packed carefully before being sent to the fulfillment centres. These products may present a safety hazard to associates, carriers or customers who are receiving or unpacking them. Breakable products must be packaged in a way that they won’t get damaged in transit or while being handled at the FCs. Make sure your packaged Units can pass a 3-foot drop test onto a hard surface without breaking. A drop test consists of five drops:

- Flat on base
- Flat on top
- Flat on longest side
- Flat on shortest side
- On a corner

Here are some guidelines on how you should pack fragile items before sending them to the fulfillment centres:

Outer packaging

Fragile items must be packed in six-sided boxes, also called corrugates. Special attention must be paid to make sure the product is not exposed from any side. Use sturdy packaging material that can withstand shock to avoid damage during transportation. You can buy Amazon branded corrugates when you become an Amazon seller.

Cushioning

Make sure you add plenty of filling inside the box in the form of bubble wraps, foam wraps, corrugated dividers to cushion the products. Use high quality cushioning so as to avoid breakage both during transferring items as well as handling the package at the fulfillment centres.

Individual packaging

If you are packing a set of fragile items, like wine glasses, each glass should be individually packed before placing them in the main packaging. This is to avoid damage from other items within the container. The items should not move within the container and should pass a vigorous shake test without any items breaking.

Fragile Labels

Along with the shipping label that contains the barcode of the product, do not forget to mark “Item Fragile” label on all the sides of the package.

Good packaging can earn you a five-star rating. When a customer receives items which are not just packed well but are also in perfect condition, it leads to a good customer experience which may boost your sales. Additionally, it saves you a lot of time, effort and money by making sure the contents of the package are safe. Not a seller yet? Register here to become an online seller today.

Disclaimer: Whilst Amazon Seller Services Private Limited ("Amazon") has used reasonable endeavours in compiling the information provided, Amazon provides no assurance as to its accuracy, completeness or usefulness or that such information is error-free. In certain cases, the blog is provided by a third-party seller and is made available on an "as-is" basis. Amazon hereby disclaims any and all liability and assumes no responsibility whatsoever for consequences resulting from use of such information. Information provided may be changed or updated at any time, without any prior notice. You agree to use the information, at your own risk and expressly waive any and all claims, rights of action and/or remedies (under law or otherwise) that you may have against Amazon arising out of or in connection with the use of such information. Any copying, redistribution or republication of the information, or any portion thereof, without prior written consent of Amazon is strictly prohibited.

Try the Amazon Beginners Guide

Learn more on becoming an Amazon Seller