5 TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR GOODS FOR ROAD FREIGHT.
Airwagon Cargo Movers Ltd
To be the market leader in the Kenyan clearing and forwarding industry.
Though technology has made it simpler for the people to connect with the people across the border, much of the nation’s transportation still comes down to roads.
However, you need to take immense care while preparing goods for transport. One of the major concerns that most people have is to ensure that the goods arrive intact to the destination. Packaging requirements differ; thus, it is crucial to know which type of packaging is best suited for your goods.
The risk of not packaging commodities properly is quite evident. Especially in online trading, it can turn out to be very costly to sell a product to a customer only to have the inadequately packaged merchandise damaged before their arrival. Or if you have to send raw materials to a project site, but since the supplies were damaged, the entire project can get postponed. This indirect cost of damaged goods can turn out to be quite expensive with replacement cost, extra freight expenditure and the loss of time.
Regardless of whether you are shipping by pallets, large boxes or freight, there are several important things that you need to be aware of while preparing your goods for transport. Not following the proper methods can result in time loss, increased expenditure, frustration and probably legal ramifications. To save you from this, listed here are the few factors that you need to take into account while preparing your commodities for shipping.
#1 INVEST IN THE GOOD QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS
Though freight drivers would take every possible step to safeguard your goods, unless they are packed well, there is often very little any driver can do to completely protect them from damages.
Make sure that you pack all the items individually. If packed together, it could cause them to break. You need to have something protective between the items; else they would collide during transport and can crack, chip or break each other.
In case, if you have the original container of the item with all the internal cushioning, ensure to use it. This is the optimal box that can prevent your items from any damage. However, if you don’t have a satisfactory container, you need to wrap the product into something that can keep it adequately protected – like Bubble Wrap. It is one of the finest materials for packaging. Wrap the bubbles in such a way that they face inwards, towards the item.
If your product has a hole or opening, fill it with a suitable filler such as packing peanuts. It will give your item an extra strength.
#2 USE AN INTERIOR BOX FOR DOUBLE PROTECTION
The finest way to pack goods for shipping is to use two boxes. A smaller, interior box can add an extra protective layer. Ideally, this interior box should be the product’s original box. However, if that’s not available, choose a sturdy corrugated cardboard box to keep the contents secure.
The interior box needs to be big enough for the contents to not touch any of its corners, sides or any other items in the box. However, remember that the interior box shouldn’t be too big or else you’ll end up stuffing it with heaps of filler.
Prior packing your goods, place a layer of the filler at the bottom of the box. You can either use corrugated inserts, crumpled paper, packing peanuts, foam-in-place or inflatable packaging for this purpose. Place your wrapped commodities on this and later fill the top and sides with more filler.
Make certain that the filler is packed compactly so that the items can’t move or touch the side of the boxes or each other. You need to be sure that once the box is sealed, your goods won’t move around and break, even if you drop it. Last but not the least; ensure that box is adequately secured by box tape.
#3 SECURE THE CONTENTS WITH OUTER PACKAGING BOX
opt for a cushioned box that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of your goods without causing any damage. The perfect box size is the one that closely fits around the interior box, but isn’t too small for the walls to bend outwards. Use fillers to cushioning between the interior and exterior box in order to ensure that the interior box doesn’t skate around in the exterior packing box.
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#4 LABEL ALL THE BOXES
After packing the goods, the next thing you need to do is to label the box, especially if it contains fragile items. A clear label educates the transport company that the box needs extra care while handling. A label usually has the contact details, delivery instructions, number of items in the delivery, delivery address and consignment number for tracking.
It is always wise to use standard arrow labels to indicate which way up to place it and if needed, label the box as “FRAGILE” on multiple sides. In order to minimise the risk of consignment going astray, it is crucial to ensure that the label is clear and is properly attached to the box.
#5 INSURANCE FOR VALUABLE ITEMS
If your goods are expensive, it is advisable to purchase shipping insurance. Though your products are perfectly packed and transported with utmost care, there are goods that can’t bear even the least amount of risk. Buying insurance means that you can be monetarily remunerated in case if the goods are damaged during transit.
With packaging and expensive seems to be pricey, it is worth to ensure that the supplies will reach their destination without any damage. And, it is undeniably cheaper than replacing the goods. There are numerous companies who offer complete freight insurance to provide you with the much-needed peace of mind that your goods won’t arrive in pieces.
FINAL WORDS
Preparing your goods for shipping is essential and to be aware of the dangers beforehand can save you lots of time, money and frustration in the future. Regardless, if its humidity, compression or other potentially damaging aspects, preparation can help you ensure that the receiver will be delivered the products in an undamaged condition.
It also saves you additional expenditures of returns and claims. In short, simple cautions can help you avoid all possible risks and ensure satisfied delivery of the products.
If you still have any doubts, Airwagon Cargo Movers Ltd is always there to help you. We work with an aim to provide all our clients with a seamless logistics and freight service.
We would love to get your next freight shipment to its destination safely.
Contact us on 0722167738/0722979255
WhatsApp:0719606104
Email;[email protected]