Packaging guidelines

Overview

This article shares insights on the packaging guidelines for your shipments. During packing, make sure to consider the following factors while choosing the packaging material:

• Dimensions: Helps in selection of appropriate size of boxes or flyers. Minimize inventory and cost
• Weight: Optimize for the minimum strength required for box. Ensures safety of item
• Fragility: Helps select appropriate box strength. Helps in optimizing the cushioning
• Physical state: Identifies the need for any special requirements for the protection of item

In this section

• Selection of boxes
• Selection of flyers or polybags
• Packing an item
• Internal packing material vs functionality
• Leaking proofing
• Sealing of shipment
• Shipment labelling
• Special handling labels
• Product categories

Selection of boxes

Material

• Use corrugated boxes of 3 ply for products below 4Kg and not fragile
• Use corrugated boxes of 5 ply for products above 4Kg and fragile
• Use tamper evident boxes for high value items Cost above Rs 7000
• Ensure the material used can withstand the required edgecrush and burst factor loads
• Optimize the size of the boxes as per the product dimensions
• The box should not be too small or too big for the item shipped An optimum size box should be chosen
• Inspect the box for holes tears crushed edges and sturdiness Avoid poor quality boxes for the safety of the item shipped

Size

• Optimize the size of the boxes as per the product dimensions
• The box should not be too small or too big for the item shipped An optimum size box should be chosen

Quick check

• Inspect the box for holes tears crushed edges and sturdiness Avoid poor quality boxes for the safety of the item shipped

Selection of flyers or polybags

Flyers are quick and handy in packing of flexible items such as apparels or can be used as an added protection for the safety of the shipment from external fluids tampering etc

Material

• Choose 60 80microns hotmelt glue adhesive LDPE polybags
• Use tamper evident polybags for high value items Cost above Rs 7000

Quick check

• Inspect the polybag for any damages
• Ensure the opening is sealed properly after the packing of item

Packing an item

Packing an item involves leak proofing cushioning placing of the item and filling of the voids in the box Enough cushioning needs to be provided to ensure no loads are transferred to the item

Material

• Bubble Wrap
• Foam sheets

Internal packing material vs functionality

Leaking proofing

Liquid products need to be made leak proof before cushioning or packing Common leak proofing techniques are mentioned below

Material

• Heat shrink sleeves
• Taping of bottle caps
• Zip lock or leak proof pouches

Sealing of shipment

Sealing ensures that the properly packed item is secured and intact inside the box throughout the journey of the shipment

Tape

• Use Pressure Sensitive Tapes such as BOPP

Locations

• Seal the center seam of the top and bottom of the box
• For heavy shipments apply H Taping by sealing both the center and edge seams on the box

Shipment labelling

Proper labeling is crucial for faster and safe handling of the shipment in reaching the intended destination

Essential data

• Barcode height min size 8 mm
• Waybill number and Barcode min size 8 MIL 1MIL 0 2032mm
• Order number and Barcode min size 8 MIL 1MIL 0 2032mm
• Consignee address min font size 8pts Calibri body
• Return address min font size 8pts Calibri body
• Retail Tax Invoice

Location of label

• Paste the label on a seamless flat face of the box flyer
• Paste the label away from seams or edges of the box
• Readability of barcode is important for faster and correct processing of shipments
• In flyers polybags all the essential data on labels should be visible and the label should be placed flat
• The pocket containing the label in flyer should be taped at the opening to avoid the loss of label
• Thermal printed labels are strongly recommended over regular labels

Special handling labels

Special handling labels helps in communicating the necessary information for appropriately handling the shipment

Common categories

• Fragile
• Perishables
• Dangerous goods
• Package orientation
• Keep dry

Product categories

Special handling labels helps in communicating the necessary information for appropriately handling the shipment