How to ideally pack your parcel for transport
Shipping a parcel for the first time? Shipping something very particular? Check out our manual on how to pack a parcel to ensure maximum safety during transport.
1. Choose appropriate packaging for your item
The item you are shipping must be protected from the outside. The ideal solution for this are cardboard boxes because they are sturdy, come in various sizes, and are damage-resilient. Thick plastic packaging or padded enveloped (for small items) work too.
You can recycle any old cardboard boxes you might have at home, for example from previous orders. You can also use a shoe box (just make sure it’s sturdy enough).
When shipping via Z-BOXes, there are 3 locker sizes to choose from—S (small), M (medium), and L (large). When shipping via a drop-off point, the size doesn’t matter as long as the parcel fits into the “standard” size category. Generally, a microwave box should be the maximum size to be accepted as a standard package.
2. Wrap the item very carefully
The transport process has many stops, some of which are operated manually and of which are handled by robots. Therefore it is absolutely crucial the item you are shipping is carefully packed and protected from potential damage.
Cover the item in a thick layer of bubble wrap, that is the best solution. You can also use old newspapers or discard paper as cushioning, but bubble wrap works best. The item must be wrapped thoroughly. If you’re shipping multiple items in one parcel, make sure you wrap them individually (each item separately). This will ensure protection from the outside as well as keep the items to colide inside the parcel.
3. Seal the parcel well
When your item is carefully wrapped and placed into sturdy packaging, seal the outside edges well. Use packing or industrial tape that’s sticky and ideally plastic. Paper-based tape does not work as well “under pressure”.
Wrap the box around in tape and make sure all the opening edges are sealed shut. Use a double layer of tape if necessary. You can also tape the side outer edges of the box for even more security. When shipping in thick plastic packaging, use tape to seal the opening tight and make sure they are no holes or tears in the outer cover.
4. Label your parcel clearly
If you’re shipping via Z-BOX, your parcel must be marked with the shipping password legibly. The 9-digit code must be clearly written on the parcel with resistant marker or taped to the parcel with clear tape (for example on a post-it note taped to the outer packaging). Without the shipping password, your parcel cannot be accepted for transport.
If you’re shipping from a drop-off point, the shipping code doesn’t have to be written on the parcel. You can also show it to the drop-off point staff from the app or share it verbally. In the app, you can use the generated QR code to avoid misspelling (or if you’re i a loud place) as well.
Quick recap
- Make sure your item is carefully wrapped.
- Use a thick cardboard box to place your item in. You can recycle any spare boxes you might have at home.
- Pad the inside of the parcel thoroughly.
- Seal the edges with tape.
- If labelling is required, write the shipping password legibly on the parcel with permanent marker.
When shipping via Z-BOXes, you can only ship 1 parcel through 1 locker. So if you want to ship more parcels at once, repeat the drop-off process for all of them. Each locker must contain only 1 parcel at a time. You can learn more about the specifics of shipping via Z-BOXes here.
