How to properly prepare electronics for shipping?

All courier companies have well-described requirements to which you must adhere in order to send a package with them. For your own convenience and to save time, you need to familiarize yourself with them before preparing the shipment. Usually there are standard dimensions and the main recommendation is that the item to be shipped should be packed in a regular-shaped cardboard box. Ideally, the original manufacturer’s packaging should be used, but few people keep them in anticipation of reuse. In this case, it is worth investing in a three- or even five-layer cardboard box, as it has sufficient rigidity and is resistant to damage. Old boxes that have already been used should not be used. Their construction may be weakened, so the apparent savings may result in greater loss or damage during shipping.

Packed equipment must necessarily be disconnected from cables and power sources. It is also necessary to remove any kind of carrier from it. During transport, batteries and rechargeable batteries must always be outside the equipment. Cables should be coiled and protected from tangling.

Each individual item should be packed separately, wrapped in bubble wrap, or placed in a separate cardboard box. It may also be necessary to seal it with packing tape. It should always be assumed that the package may be exposed to various pressures and vibrations, and may be in danger of falling from a height of about 80 cm – for example, from conveyor belts.

Electronics are quite a specific commodity. Due to its sensitivity to electrostatic discharge, it is recommended to use special anti-static bags (in the characteristic pink color). It is also important to avoid moisture. Small sachets of hygroscopic granules can be helpful, which will absorb any water particles.

The individual components must not move inside the packaging during transport. Well-protected equipment should be immobilized, just as it was when it was purchased, when it was in its factory packaging. Nothing should stick out of the package, push it out or deform it.

In addition, when you have a printer to ship, it is necessary to remove the toners and cartridges and place them in separate, leakproof packages.

You already know at this point that a proper cardboard box and securing any loose items is a must. Any empty spaces must be additionally filled. We start by securing the bottom, so that it is soft and cushions the contents throughout the route. Fillers should be used for the remaining areas. In the case of electronics, you need to avoid excessively small elements, such as chips. This can harm delicate circuits by getting inside or scratching a poorly protected case. Fillers should be on all sides, surrounding the packed equipment, as you never know which way the package will be laid or how it will fall during transport. Styrofoam or foam inserts, cut to size, may be best. Air bags and flo-pack foams can have a similar effect.

After closing, the edges and joints of the carton should be well secured with adhesive tape. If possible, and our equipment requires it (e.g. TV, monitor, etc.) – you need to use the warning stickers “Top-Down” and “Caution”. This will not 100% prevent the mistreatment of our package, but it may somewhat mitigate the way the carrier will treat it.

Ordering and paying for a shipment usually automatically generates any required labels. It is necessary to check the correctness of the information on it, and then stick it in a visible place on the package. This will ensure that the courier will have no problem identifying the package, which in turn will prevent delays or misdelivery.

While electronic devices are expensive, standard insurance for courier shipments ranges from about 20 to 350 euros. So it is a small amount, compared to possible damage or loss of the package on the way. It is recommended to purchase additional insurance. Its cost is relatively small, and in case of possible losses we are sure that we will get adequate compensation that will cover the actual amount of damage.

Such events as loss of the shipment, damage to the shipment or visible defects are covered by insurance. If you have any doubts, you should write a protocol in the presence of the delivery courier.