Preparing Your Shipment
As the shipper, you are responsible for "properly
preparing your shipment". This includes, packing (if needed) addressing
the items, providing a safe and accessible pick up and delivery
environment, and ensuring that your BOL (shipping documents) are
accurate and reflect your actual shipment.
Please use common
sense when preparing your freight. Using a freight service will save you
money compared to using a moving van or a blanket wrap service, but you
must properly protect your items. You wouldn't send a valuable glass
framed picture with the post office and only wrap it in brown paper.
Preparing your shipment for freight is no different.
BASIC PACKING TECHNIQUES
Good packaging is essential to protect your goods while they are in
transit. Remember that your packages may be on a truck with other items,
and may be loaded or unloaded more than once. Certain basic guidelines
are provided here to help you ensure that all of your possessions are
packed to travel safely.
• Use only sturdy cartons that can be completely closed.
• Make sure that all cartons are firmly packed, but not overloaded.
Cartons should not rattle or bulge when correctly packed. There should
be space between your object and the carton walls to ensure a safe
environment.
• Wrap individual items carefully in paper or cloth and be sure to
provide sufficient cushioning to absorb shock.
• Pack item in layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom and the
lightest on the top.
• Do not mix hard or heavy items with fragile items in the same
container.
• Seal all cartons tightly with plastic gummed tape (duct tape can peel
off easily under the rigors of transit).
• Label each carton in the event pieces get separated. You may also want
to write the number of cartons that compose the shipment (e.g., Box 1 of
4).
This
section provides specific tips on packing the various different types of
items included in a normal move.
Engines: Engine blocks can be strapped to a
pallet. Complete engines need to to be boxed, palletted or crated.
Indestructible Items: Assuming the item can not
be damaged and scratches or nicks mean nothing to you or the party you
are shipping it to, You may be able to ship the item as is. A few
examples in include: rebar, an old safe, metal boxes, strong heavy
chests, many building materials, etc. Items must be moveable.
Hot Tubs: Heavy duty cardboard and or crating
will be needed. A skid or pallet may also be required for moving the
item around.
Motorcycles: Motor cycles transported via LTL
truck will have to be crated. If crating is not possible or practical,
we can arrange other methods. A crate can either be built or in some
cases secured from a bike shop. We have been told that new bikes
(imported) come in crates that are just thrown away by the bike shops.
Tires & Wheels: Tiers alone can just be strapped
and address. Wheels should be boxed or palletized.
Appliances: Well wrapped in very heavy cardboard
and put on some type of skid or pallet. Materials can be scavengered
from appliance stores that have discarded these materials.
Furniture Items:
Sturdy hard to damage items require less packing than fragile pieces. A
sturdy chair may be adequately protected with a heavy over wrap of
cardboard and or plastic. A piece that has parts or pieces that could
break off may need to be fully boxed & packing. And a very valuable item
with glass and a fine finish may need a wood crate. Boxing and packing
materials can be scavengered from the discarded materials at both
furniture stores and appliance dealers. They are typically happy to let
you have these materials.
Artwork: Artwork of all types requires special containers and
packing materials to provide adequate protection. Bubble wrap and
cushioning material should be used liberally to protect these items
within cartons designed specifically for artwork. If your shipment
contains items that are highly valuable, either monetarily or
sentimentally, or are particularly awkward in shape, they should be
packed or crated professionally. Franchises such as Mail Boxes Etc. and
other similar services can help with these.
China and Glassware: Wrap all pieces individually in clean paper
or tissue before placing them in the container. Always provide a two to
three inch layer (approx 5 to 8 cm.) of crumpled paper or other
cushioning between the items and the inner wall of the carton. Cups,
dishes, saucers, and shallow bowls should be placed in the carton on
edge. Deep bowls, glasses and serving vessels should be placed in the
carton with their rims toward the bottom of the carton.
Electronics: Televisions, computers, stereo systems and other
electronic devices need special attention during packing in order to
ensure their safe arrival at the destination. It is best to use the
original cartons and packing that the item came in when purchased. If
you do not have this material, anti-static bubble wrap and a lot of
extra cushioning should be used when packaging these items. Contact your
representative for assistance in locating the appropriate materials, or
consider having these items professionally packed.
Fragile Items: Small figurines should be wrapped individually in
tissue or clean paper before being placed in the carton. Be sure to use
plenty of crumpled paper or other cushioning between these articles and
the inner wall of the carton to provide ample protection against shock.
Lamps: Lamps should be dismantled by removing the shade, harp and
bulb before packaging. The base should be wrapped in bubble or foam wrap
and then placed in a carton with two or three inches (5 to 8 cm.) of
crumpled paper between it and the inner wall of the box. More than one
lamp base can be packed in the same container as long as cushioning
material is placed between them. Lampshades should never be wrapped in
newspaper. Use clean tissue or a clean bed sheet to wrap the shade and
place it in a container lined with crumpled paper on the bottom. Do not
place crumpled paper around the side of the shade as this can stretch
the fabric. Small lampshades can be nested inside larger ones as long as
they do not put pressure on the fabric of the outer shade. It is a good
idea to mark the outside of the carton "Lampshades--Fragile" to alert
anyone handling the carton to its contents.
Small Appliances: Articles such as clocks, radios, and kitchen
appliances should be wrapped individually and packed in cartons lined
with crumpled paper for cushioning. Several of these items can be packed
in the same carton as long as there is ample cushioning between them and
the overall weight does not exceed the weight limits of the container.
Tools: Small tools should be packed together in small cartons
using the general guidelines outlined in the Basic Packing Techniques
section. Remember to use small cartons for tools, as they are generally
heavier than most other items. Tools with long handles should be bundled
together and packed in sturdy cartons of the appropriate size.
December 11, 2007