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Packaging Mistakes That Delay Your Shipment

In Business
July 28, 2021
Packaging Mistakes That Delay Your Shipment

When you send something through the postal service or with a commercial carrier such as FedEx, you are entrusting that your package will be delivered safely and on time. To be delivered on time, a package’s journey to the recipient endures a lot and can encounter some bumps in the road. Once you ship your package, it could be handled anywhere from a dozen to over one hundred times. Depending on where the final destination is, the package rides on planes, trains, trucks, and moves through numerous pieces of sorting equipment.

Even with all of the tracking and sorting technology, delays and shipping issues are an inevitable part of sending and receiving packages. Package delays can cause frustration and issues. During periods of high-volume shipping such as the holiday season, shipping and mail delays could increase. There are some things that you can do to increase the likelihood that your package will arrive safely and quickly. Properly packaging and labeling your shipment can go a long way toward limiting service problems. Let’s take a look at some packaging mistakes that could delay your shipment.

Weak Packaging

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How you pack your items to be shipped will have a big influence on when and how it gets delivered. No matter which shipper you are using, from the U.S. Postal Service to UPS, your package will not always be handled with the most delicate care. This is especially true during periods of significant volume increases for shipments. If your box or other shipping container is weak, it could cause a package delay. A weak or delicate box puts the contents of your shipment at a greater risk for loss or damage. If a package falls apart and the contents are lost or become undeliverable, it will create a significant delay.

Aside from using proper boxes and packing materials, you’ll want to ensure that you seal the shipment correctly. As discussed, the USPS and other shippers aren’t going to treat each package with fragility. If your package isn’t securely sealed, the contents could spill out and create delays. If possible, you should do more than just tape the top closed. For a more secure package, you can use the H-tapping method to make sure that each seam is covered and that your box will stay closed during shipping.

Labeling

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Apart from your packaging, the label is probably the most important part of any shipment. The label contains important information that informs postal workers and others about the origin and destination of the package. The United States Postal Service has a specific format for package labels to ensure that they contain the needed information. From the street address to the zip code, the label must include detailed destination information to give your package the best chance for delivery. A mislabeled package will almost ensure mail delays. Unreadable labels will also result in a package delay. You need to not only make sure the label has the correct information but also that it is legible and clear.

Old Labels

Very often many of us will reuse a box when we are mailing a package. In our attempt to be thrifty or recycle, however, we could inadvertently cause a package delay. Delays with recycled boxes usually occur because of old labels that confuse the shipping process. If you are going to reuse a box, make sure that all previous labels are completely removed. If there is any doubt, the best thing to do is to use a new box.

Shipping and packaging requirements may vary among different shippers. To avoid any problems, you should ensure that you’re following all the guidelines of your chosen shipping company. No matter how you choose to send a package, however, there are a few things that you can do to limit delays. Ensuring proper labeling and using sturdy packaging will go a long way towards preventing a package delay.