This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to pack and send your parcels through the post. It covers essential materials, step-by-step packing techniques, and best practices to ensure your package arrives at its destination in perfect condition.
Compared to other aspects of your business, packaging your products to be shipped to your customers may seem like a simple thing. But when you break it down, there is a lot to consider and a number of important decisions to make. To help guide you through the process, DHL Express gives you all you need to know on how to pack and post a parcel in Ireland.
Assessing your product
When planning to send your parcel by courier, there are some questions you need to ask yourself first. How much does your product weigh? How fragile is it? How valuable is it? Does it need controlled conditions, like regulated humidity? Are there any special packaging regulations around it, as with foodstuffs? How much have you factored into the cost of your product for packaging (this will influence your packaging budget)? Did you know that quite innocuous products like perfume or electronics, for example, can be classified as Dangerous Goods and need to be packaged accordingly?
Being aware of these details can help in ensuring that your product reaches its destination, whether it’s within Ireland or outside of the country, safely and efficiently.
Choosing appropriate packaging materials
Whether you’re planning to send a parcel within Ireland or shipping internationally, identifying what type of packing materials to use and how to pack your items is important.
There are basically two types of packaging – external and internal. Unless your product requires specialised packaging, like liquids or powders, the external packaging is usually some form of cardboard box. Always choose a high-quality corrugated cardboard box and avoid re-using old boxes as they lose their rigidity.
Internal packaging is used to cushion your product and fill gaps inside the box to stop the goods from moving around. Styrofoam used to be a favourite, but this has now been banned in many countries as it’s so damaging to the environment. There are many different types of internal packaging which have different levels of suitability for cushioning, filling gaps or voids, protection, or as dividers when you’re shipping multiple products in the same box.
Bubble wrap
Lightweight and offering good protection, bubble wrap is a popular choice for wrapping fragile items. It's available in various bubble sizes to accommodate different needs.
Small cell ¼ inch
This type of bubble wrap is ideal for smaller, delicate items or providing an extra layer of protection around sharp edges. It can be beneficial to prevent scratches on the item.
Large cell ½ inch
This provides greater cushioning for larger or heavier items. It offers better shock absorption for items that are more susceptible to damage from impact.
Foam wrap
Foam wrap is a flexible and lightweight option that provides good cushioning and surface protection. It's often used for wrapping furniture, electronics, and other delicate items. One of its main benefits is that it can be used to pack fragile items with irregular shapes. It's also non-abrasive, so it won't scratch surfaces.
Foam peanuts/pellets
Loose-fill packaging peanuts are excellent for filling empty spaces in boxes and preventing items from shifting during transit. It can be an effective and economical void fill, providing good cushioning and shock absorption.
Airbags
Inflatable airbags are a space-saving option for filling voids and cushioning items within a box. They provide excellent protection against shock and vibration. Moreover, they are lightweight and easy to store when deflated.
Crumpled paper
A cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for filling voids and providing some cushioning. They are readily available and can often be sourced from recycled materials.
Corrugated inserts
Customisable inserts made from corrugated cardboard that provide structural support and protection within a box. These inserts can be designed to fit specific products, offering superior protection. They also add strength to the box and help prevent crushing.
Shredded cardboard
Similar to crumpled paper, shredded cardboard is an eco-friendly void-fill solution, as it can be sourced from recycled materials.
Top tips
To ensure your products arrive at their condition safely, these are some key packing tips you can consider:
Wrap items individually
Individual wrapping provides the best protection against shocks and vibrations that occur during shipping. It creates a protective barrier around each item, minimising the risk of damage from impact or movement within the box.
For wrapping each item, use the appropriate cushioning materials like bubble wrap, foam wrap, or even crumpled paper, depending on the fragility of the item. Ensure the wrapping is snug but not too tight to avoid putting pressure on the product.
Use dividers
Dividers are essential when shipping multiple items in the same box. They prevent the items from knocking into each other and getting scratched, chipped, or broken during transit.
Corrugated inserts are excellent for creating dividers. You can also use sturdy cardboard or foam boards to separate items. Ensure the dividers are securely in place to prevent shifting during transit.
Keep items from moving around
Securely positioning your items prevents them from shifting, colliding, and getting damaged. To prevent movement, use ample cushioning material like packing peanuts, airbags, or shredded paper to fill any empty spaces in the box. You can also use straps or tape to secure items in place, especially for larger or heavier products.
Place items in the middle of the box
Positioning items in the centre of the box provides a more balanced and stable package. This prevents tilting and reduces the risk of items coming into contact with the sides of the box, which could lead to damage.
Make sure to surround the items with sufficient cushioning material to keep them centred and secure. It's important that there is enough padding on all sides, including the top and bottom, to prevent movement during transit.
Marketing and personalised packaging
While packaging’s primary purpose is to protect your product so it can be safely delivered to your customer, it can also do so much more.
Packaging can be a powerful marketing tool, allowing communication with your customer when they’re feeling most positive towards your brand – when their order arrives. At its most basic, you can use packaging to bolster your brand image using consistent colours, logos, messaging, typography and other brand elements. While your outer packaging may be a cardboard box, it needn’t just be plain brown! Consider using packing tape in your brand colours and custom-designed labels.
You can also synergise your packaging with your advertising. For example, if you’re running a social media campaign using a particular headline, why not look into adding it to your packaging? You can also cross-promote your social media campaign by adding a hashtag.
Other opportunities include tying in your packaging with particular events – for example, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or Saint Patrick’s Day. This includes adding a personalised, handwritten thank-you card (perhaps with a personal discount code) and adding free samples of related products.
Creative packaging, personalisation, free samples and discounts are all powerful ways of encouraging customer loyalty and repeat purchases.
Packaging for quick and easy returns
Returns are a fact of life in the age of e-commerce. While offering free returns has cost implications for your business, many customers will only shop from retailers who operate a free returns policy. It’s a dilemma you have to weigh up and make a decision about.
Whatever you decide, strangely enough, a return is actually another opportunity for your business. By making it as hassle-free and simple as possible, you will encourage the customer to buy from you again, even though this particular purchase hasn’t worked out. So always include clear instructions and a returns label. And in terms of the packaging itself, choose a box that is easy to open –perforated for example – and easy to re-use and re-seal, maybe including an adhesive strip.
By putting some thought into it, you can make the returns process a positive customer experience and a way of differentiating yourself from your competitors.
Sustainable packaging
Make no mistake: sustainability is a huge issue among consumers now, and using sustainable packaging could be crucial to the popularity of your brand in Ireland.
Sustainable, eco-friendly or sustainable packaging are terms that mean the same thing: packaging that has the lowest possible impact on the environment. This low impact is achieved in three basic ways: by limiting packaging waste, by using materials that are recyclable or biodegradable, and by the use of renewable energy in the production of the packaging.
So, what can you do? Most obviously, cut back on waste by using packaging that’s the right size for whatever product you’re sending. Sending a small product in a big box annoys recipients so much that, in the past, they’ve taken to social media to shame companies who do so.
As for packaging materials, new alternatives are being developed all the time. For example, biodegradable packaging peanuts can be used instead of styrofoam and corrugated cardboard bubble wrap instead of traditional plastic-based bubble wrap. Air pillows made from recycled or biodegradable materials are another alternative. Corn starch could be used instead of plastic. And if only plastic would do, then biodegradable and recycled plastics are available. Organic ecological textiles are also becoming more popular, including organic cotton wool for cushioning, linen and poplin anti-scratch covers, and tape made from hemp.
And finally, try to source cardboard boxes and paper that have been recycled or certified to support sustainably managed forests.
Other considerations when shipping from Ireland to countries overseas
Of course, packaging is important. But, no matter how much thought you put into it, it could end up pointless if customers are disappointed by a needless delay to their shipment or annoyed by surprise additional costs.
We can help you navigate shipping parcels from Ireland to other countries by enabling you to calculate your customs duty, tax and other fees so you can pay them upfront. Plus, you can get the correct HS (Harmonized System) codes and check your shipment’s compliance with any country’s import and export regulations.
You can do it all using our free Global Trade Services toolkit.
Packaging basics checklist
• Assess your product
• Choose appropriate packaging materials
• Ensure your goods are protected
• Use your packaging as a marketing tool
• Make sure it’s returns-friendly
• Choose green packaging alternatives
• Navigate customs with our Global Trade Services toolkit
So, your packaging will ensure your shipment arrives at its destination in one piece, but what about on time? That’s where DHL has you covered. DHL’s professional team knows how to send your parcel within Ireland or overseas safely and on time. With a DHL Express Business Account, you’ll have access to a range of expedited shipping solutions to help you meet your customers’ expectations. Ship with DHL Express today.
