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Top Five Shipping and Packaging Tips
From Mark and Robin at Bubblefast

Serving the online community since 1999

1. Choose the Proper Size and Type Box– Choose a box designed for shipping.  Unless you are hand-delivering your item, assume that it will be subject to plenty of abuse along its way.  If your item is fragile, allow at least 2-4 inches on each side of the product to allow for proper padding.  If you are selling various sized objects you might consider saving money by purchasing a bundle of multi-depth boxes, scored at different heights rather than individual boxes.  These can easily be cut down at any of the scores to create the best fit.  Another easy way to customize the size of your box is by using a box sizer tool.  This tool (available from Bubblefast) allows you to score your box so you only need to cut the corners and fold down the sides of the box for a perfect fit.

2. Use Appropriate Padding – Even if your item is not fragile, we recommend using some amount of padding.  Nothing makes a buyer more angry than using a scissors or box cutter to open their package to find out that they have also sliced open or scratched their purchase.  The most popular padding material is bubble cushioning,  most commonly available in 3/16” or ½” thickness.  Small (3/16”) bubble is great for protecting small delicate items.  Large (1/2”) bubble is great for wrapping large or bulky items and can also be used as void fill (see below).  Anti-static (pink) and recycled (green) bubble is available.

Another common padding material is foam, which comes in rolls as well.  Foam is particularly useful when packing items susceptible to scratching.

3. Void Fill, Void Fill, Void Fill. Probably the most important tip.  Never skimp on void fill.  You can use packing peanuts, bubble, air pillows, packing paper or whatever else you choose.  Whatever you use – be generous.  Fill every nook and cranny.  Void fill is very inexpensive “insurance” that will keep your items safe from the effects of shaking and shifting and to minimize the effects of vibration.

4. Use Free or Recycled Materials when Available.  If you are selling online at least one of your goals is to make a profit.  One way to save money on packing materials is to take advantage of free materials provided by your shipping carrier.  If you are shipping your items using Priority Mail there are many free boxes available.  These can be ordered online from http://www.usps.com/.  Also now available from USPS are Flat Rate Padded Envelopes, Flat Rate Letter and Legal sized envelopes and Priority Mail Regional Boxes.

If you choose to use any of these always make sure to check that the flat or regional rate is less than the actual Priority Mail rate based on the weight of the package.  (If the regular rate is less expensive do not use the flat rate supplies.)  Free materials and boxes are also available for certain FedEx or UPS services.  Check with your carrier to see if there is anything available for your type of shipment.

Some packing materials lend themselves nicely to recycling.  Boxes, packing peanuts, bubble cushioning and air pillows from packages you have received can often be re-used.  Good for the environment and good for your bottom line, a win-win!  Be advised that each re-use of a box can reduce its strength so examine a box carefully before you consider using it. When re-using packing peanuts make sure that they are clean and un-crushed.

5. Choose the Right Shipping Carrier
Once your item is safely padded and protected, you are ready to choose the right shipping service based on the size, weight and destination of your package.  There are many choices of carrier available including USPS, FedEx, UPS and local couriers.  Each of these have multiple layers of service available depending on how quickly the package needs to arrive.

If price is your most important consideration you can use the following general rule of thumb.  For non-media items less than 13 ounces, First Class Mail is usually the least expensive option.  For small packages (LxWxH < 1728 inches) with a weight greater than 13 ounces but less than 4 pounds Priority Mail is often a good choice.  For larger packages FedEx and UPS generally offer the most competitive pricing.  Note that FedEx and UPS cannot deliver to PO Boxes and are not usually competitive for shipments going outside of the continental US.  Parcel Post (USPS) shipping often takes a bit longer than FedEx or UPS but also offers reasonable pricing.  If you are shipping a media item, Media Mail rates are also available through USPS.

If you are doing a significant amount of shipping, take the time to research all of the available shipping options.  As the price of gas increases, affordable shipping becomes more and more of a pain point for frequent sellers.  In addition to the popular carriers, see if there are local couriers doing business in your area that may be able to offer competitive pricing for deliveries to nearby locations.  Remember that, with the exception of the Post Office, most carriers have some flexibility in negotiating pricing.  Choosing a shipping carrier and service is one area where doing diligent research can reap significant rewards.

Bubblefast has been providing a full line of shipping and packaging supplies to the Internet community since 1999.   If you have any packaging or shipping questions or if there is anything we can help you with, feel free to call Mark or Robin toll free at 877/599-7447 or e-mail mark@bubblefast.com.