Packaging Guidelines and Tips

Parcel Monkey is happy to help you find a reliable courier for all your shipping needs, but it is down to the sender to prepare the package before it is shipped.

Robust packaging is a vital part of the shipping process for both domestic and international deliveries, as couriers use vast networks and your package will be in transit with thousands of others going through airports, depots, and warehouses.

It is the sender’s responsibility to reduce the chance of damage in transit, so please follow our packaging advice to mitigate the risk of issues.  

Please note, insufficient packaging can result in Parcel Monkey or the courier partner not being liable for loss or damage. 

Some quick packaging tips to help ensure that your items arrive in perfect condition:

External packaging 

• Package all items in suitable boxes and securely seal using strong parcel tape. 
• Heavy duty or corrugated cardboard boxes should be used for shipping, ideally new ones. For additional protection, double box the item by placing one box inside the other.
• Use strong tape around edges of boxes and packets to prevent damage.
• Triangular boxes are excellent for tube-shaped objects. Any side can be used as a stable base and the other two sides provide suitable surfaces to locate the barcoded address label. 
• It is advisable to send any items with ‘display packaging’ in an outer box.

Internal packaging 

• Wrap each item in your box individually, as this will offer better protection during transit and reduce the risk of the contents causing damage to other items in the box.
• Consider using polystyrene, bubble wrap, and foam wrapping for internal packaging to prevent movement in the box. 
• The contents should be ‘fully encased’ by cushioning to prevent movement within the outer packaging and direct contact with an external surface.

Don't think that just because your package is being shipped Next Day that you don't need any extra packaging. An extra few minutes wrapping and securing your item will save an hour or more sorting out a claim with the protection cover policy that often comes with a delivery order. A comprehensive Parcel Monkey packaging guide can be found here. 

Shipping labels 

It’s highly important to attach shipping labels correctly, as they contain all the vital delivery information.

Follow these steps from global delivery experts, DHL, to ensure your package is labelled correctly.  

• To prevent confusion, we recommend all old labels are removed - Dangerous goods labels left on boxes can mean goods are held or sent back. Old address labels or customs documents may mislead drivers or people handling the parcel.
• Your products will have a reduced risk of damage if you use suitable packaging. Fragile labels are no substitute for the correct packaging.
• Shiny surfaces- Please place the address label on the top of any shrink wrap, and not underneath it. The same applies to Sellotape, cellophane and other similar shiny surfaces, as these create a reflection that the scanners cannot always see through to read the barcode.
• Positioning the barcode address label - Place the label on a flat area, preferably on the top surface of the parcel. This will help ensure the barcode, on the address label can be read the first time. All labels must be placed flat, i.e. without creases, on just one side of the package. It is advised labels are not positioned over the joins of a box or round corners.
• Ensure that the shipping label address details cannot be smudged or liable to water damage.
• For some of our services like DHL eCommerce, the label will only have the delivery address in the USA, which is our sorting facility. When your package arrives at the sorting facility, the international label will be added and your package will be shipped overseas. 

Customs Documents 

For international shipments, a minimum of 3 copies of the customs documents should be affixed to the outside of the package alongside the label. They should be placed in a plastic wallet or envelope. If you do not have one of these you can attach an envelope marked as 'Customs' and attach this securely to the outside of the box. We have further customs advice available to ensure you can ship packages internationally with no problems. 

Weighing your package

Once your package has been prepared it is then time to weigh it. Do not weigh the contents before you package it, as by the time you have packed it the box will be bigger and could be heavier too. The couriers use the dimensional weight to work out the cost of shipping, so this is built into our shipping calculator, but it does rely on the sender providing the correct package details.

Things to avoid when shipping a package

• Damaged boxes - weak boxes do not provide the same level of protection for your products as good quality boxes.
• Creased boxes/barcodes. The surfaces of damaged or weak boxes are often creased. This increases the likelihood of the barcode on the address label being creased too, which may prevent tracking through our network.
• Unboxed items - All items must be suitably packaged for transit through a delivery network that can sometimes span the globe! 
• Open/unsealed boxes - Products sent with an open or unsealed side present a risk for items to fall out or for small items to fall in.
• Suitcases - Often used to ship personal belongings like clothing - whilst they can be used we do not advise that they are. The handles and wheels can be damaged, overfilled cases can be split and frequently the shipping labels or customs documentation can be detached, causing items to be lost. If you do use a suitcase ensure all handles are taped down, there are no wheels on the case and that labels are securely fastened to the box along with any Customs Documents. Insert a shipping label inside the case too.

Prohibited items 

We have an extensive prohibited and restricted items list, which we have put together following the advice of our courier partners.  When shipping overseas, you should also check the destinations lists, as some countries may have other restrictions.

If you want to learn more about how to then send your package we have some useful shipping advice. 

Once you have packaged your items, choose a reliable courier service to ship with.