What Not To Do When Packaging Your Business Goods

In the world of online retail, pre-ordering, and shopping done with the click of a mouse, your business is going to have to package and ship goods at some point. Whether you’re an online or in-store business, follow these few simple rules for packaging goods.

DO NOT: Skimp on Insurance

Thinking you can get away with minimal insurance on your packaged goods is business suicide. Make sure that both your company and the goods you’re shipping are insured properly. If something goes wrong on your end, you’ll need to be protected against client lawsuits. If you’re shipping goods to a client, they will be able to choose whether or not they want to insure the package on their end as well.

In addition, you’ll need to protect your own goods against damage. If you’re simply moving business items from one store location to another, insure it for the appropriate amount to ensure its safety.

DO NOT: Think that Paperwork is Unimportant

Keep track of all of your packaging and shipping paperwork. Keep online records of all of your purchases and shipments, and keep paper records as often as possible in case your computer system crashes at a critical moment.

Be organized. Keep receipts in one file, contract materials in another, and legal documents in a third. Anything that has to do with packaging or handling goods should be filed away in a secure location so that if (in a worst-case-scenario) a legal situation arises, you’ll be prepared with proper documentation and proof of delivery.

DO NOT: Use Generic Packaging

If your company doesn’t ship materials very often, don’t think that generic packaging is good enough. You’ll still want your company name and logo on your packaging. Your customers will trust your products more if the packaging looks legitimate, and you’ll have more authority among your competitors. It’s also great advertising—having shipping materials with your logo on them will put your name out there every time you ship a package.

You can either order boxes with your name and logo from a private box company or find a packing company that will stencil your logo on boxes for you. Either way, make sure that your packing materials are labeled clearly.

DO NOT: Settle For a Convenient Packing Company

When you’re looking for the right packaging company, don’t just settle for the nearest or cheapest one because it’s convenient. You need to be able to rely on their services to get your products where they need to go in a safe, timely manner. You don’t want your customers to receive broken or damaged goods because the company you’re shipping with packaged them carelessly. Likewise, you don’t want to have to deal with irate customers who are receiving late shipments.

Instead, do your research and chose a packaging company that will take care of your products and customers. If you need an international company like Pack-All International, a packaging company in Mississauga, make sure that they have the capacity to deal with large or complicated orders overseas.

DO NOT: Ignore Environmental Impact

Going green is the American style these days, so don’t ignore the value of marketing your business as environmentally friendly. Find a partner company that will package and ship your company efficiently, recycle boxes properly, and use eco-friendly shipping materials.

DO NOT: Wait until the Last Minute

Running out to buy a few corrugated boxes every time you need to ship a product is highly inefficient. Even if your company doesn’t package and ship items often, streamline the process by having a supply of boxes, postage, and labels on hand. Box manufacturers will sell generic brands to you for cheap, and it won’t hurt you to have a small stock on hand even if you don’t go through it quickly.

Unless you have employees specifically hired for packing, train all of your employees on how to package goods.  That way, anyone can help with packaging whenever necessary. 

Whether you ship goods regularly or only occasionally, make sure you follow these simple rules to keep your packages safe and sound.