Shipment
Packaging
Choices
WELCOME TO LYNDEN’S
GUIDELINES FOR PROPER PACKAGING
Y
our high school poetry teacher probably
said something like, “It’s not the form, it’s the
substance that’s important!” Similarly, when it
comes to shipping your package, what’s important is
making sure that what’s inside your box arrives safely.
With that in mind, we’d like to offer some practical
advice on packaging your shipment.
In this booklet, we’ll show you things you can do
to help make sure your package arrives intact and
undamaged. We’ll share our four-step “recipe for
shipping success’ and give you packaging options
for heavier packages and specialty items. And, if you
have questions or run up against a puzzler, our service
experts in the Worldwide Communications Center are
only a phone call away.
Up front, we want you to know that correct packaging is the sole responsibility of you, the shipper.
With your help in proper preparation, we will do
everything we can to make sure your shipment arrives safely and on time.
2
GUIDELINES FOR
GOOD PACKAGING
DO USE: • A rigid cardboard carton (plain) with flaps
• Tough tape made for shipping, resistant to tearing
• An address label on top of package with delivery and
return addresses clearly marked
• A duplicate label inside carton
• Sufficient packing material
• Separate wrapping for each item
AVOID:
• String
• Masking tape
• Scotch tape • Wrapping carton in paper
• Please do not record the insured value on the carton
or on the label when shipping high-value ticket
items.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESSFUL SHIPPING
This may come as a surprise, but most shipments are
handled between four and six times during transit.
With the following “ingredients,” you’ll help to ensure
your shipment’s safe delivery.
1
2
Use a strong new box.
The carton should be big enough to allow for at least
two inches of packing around the contents. Make sure
that the maximum gross weight of the box is not exceeded (look on the bottom flap for this information).
You should not reuse a box, but if you must, it should
be in good condition, no dents or tears, with old labels
and stickers removed.
Use proper packing.
Wrap each item separately. Fragile items should be a
sufficient distance from the corners and sides of the
carton to avoid damage if dropped. Surround each
items with an ample amount of cushioning material.
3
To insure proper packing, follow these simple
guidelines:
• For flat or rectangular items with little chance of
breakage, plastic peanuts are a good choice.
• For oddly shaped items, like sensitive electrical
parts, that may shift within the carton, bubble wrap
and surround the item with additional packing, such
as peanuts or crumpled paper.
• For computer equipment, use hard Styrofoam, or
repack in original cartons.
• To keep items separate in the same box, use
corrugated dividers.
• Spray foam may be used to fashion a protective
form around contents.
3
Tape the box securely:
Include a duplicate label or recipient information inside
the box. See step 4 for proper labeling.
It’s important that you seal the carton securely with
plastic or paper tape. Just as you protect the inner
contents, the box itself must be properly and firmly
closed to prevent spillage.
4
For best results, use the following types of tape:
• 60# grade paper tape. Moisten to apply to the
bottom, sides and top.
• Reinforced paper tape. Moisten to apply to bottom
and top center strips.
• Pilferage-proof tape.
• Nylon-reinforced plastic tape.
4
Label the package properly:
For quick and efficient delivery of
your package, remember to:
• Use the recipient’s complete street address, including ZIP code.
• Include unit or apartment number if addressed to a
multiple-unit residence.
• Include the recipient’s phone number on the label.
• Include your return street address, including ZIP
code.
• Fasten the delivery label onto a flap on the top of
the box. Do not place it over a seam or on top of
the packaging tape.
• Use only one label per package. If a packing slip is
to be included, fasten it securely on the top near
the address label.
A note about preprinted cartons:
Your company’s logo or name may be a great business
asset, but name recognition on a package you ship
may signal a prospective thief to valuable contents. It’s
always best to use an unmarked box, especially with
high-ticket items like jewelry, electronic equipment and
artwork. See SPECIALTY ITEMS on page 8.
5
LYNDEN’S WORLDWIDE
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
YOUR PACKAGING RESOURCE
Quick, safe delivery of your undamaged freight provides an obvious benefit to you, to your customers,
and to Lynden as your transportation provider. With
the ease of a toll-free call, our professional, courteous service representatives in the Worldwide Communications Center can answer general questions
on packaging, or refer you to your local packaging
professional.
In our experience with shipments that require special
care of heavy-duty protection, there is just no substitute for on-site professionals. We recommend that
you contact a professional crating company that specializes in freight packaging. Such companies can be
found in your local telephone directory or The Yellow
Pages. If you are having difficulty finding a packaging/
crating company in your area, feel free to call us in the
WCC and we, together with our professional agent(s)
in your area, will work to locate assistance for you.
When your shipment is ready, Lynden will then expedite it, according to your requirements, to its destination.
Call the Worldwide Communications Center at
1-800-926-5703 for:
• Pick-ups
• General packaging questions
• Rates and routing
• Quotes on special shipments
Same-day service is available in most
metropolitan areas.
6
HEAVY PACKAGES
Special packaging is essential for packages weighing over 70 pounds. Follow these tips:
• Reused cartons should be avoided, due to wear
and tear and damage from humidity. Use a strong
new carton.
• Cartons should also be of heftier construction. The
strongest boxes have seams that are stapled or
stitched, not glued. Again, check the bottom flap to
see that the maximum gross weight of the box is not
exceeded. With heavy packages, a stronger carton
will protect its contents from on-the-road vibration
and from handling damage during sorting.
• The denser the packaging material, the more
cushion it provides against impact. Peanuts or
crumpled paper are not sufficient to protect heavy
weight contents, since they shift during transport
and can be crushed from excessive weight.
Instead, use molded foam or custom-made
corrugated dividers.
• Use reinforced, heavy-duty tape.
For information regarding heavyweight packages, call
our Worldwide Communications Center at
1-800-926-5703.
7
SPECIALTY ITEMS
Specialty items require special packaging. Irregularly
shaped items must be within a carton and adequately
cushioned from the impact of transit and handling.
Remember, most shipments are handled between
four and six times during transit.
The following items require special consideration
when shipping:
Electronic equipment
Sculptures
Wearing apparel
Athletic apparel
Medical equipment
Athletic equipment
Jewelry
Glass
Furniture
Prints
Museum pieces
Auto parts
For these items, please refer to the following
packaging guidelines:
Electronic equipment
This includes all PCs, laptops, VCRs, camcorders,
etc. These items have a high rate of theft. If possible,
overpack all electronics in unmarked boxes or packaging to prevent pilferage.
Wearing apparel
Pack wearing apparel in strong new cardboard boxes.
We encourage and suggest packaging wearing apparel efficiently to eliminate unused air space inside
a box. However, when closing the boxes, never use
plain white or brown warehouse packaging tape,
since this can be opened and retaped with no signs of
entry. Use a strong, tamper-resistant tape. In addition
to protecting your shipment, it will show signs of an
attempted theft.
8
Medical equipment
Pack all medical equipment in boxes that can withstand a 4-foot drop (industry standards) as well as handling and bumping while in transit. Make sure that the
packaging is new or can support transport by ground
or air.
Jewelry
This type of commodity should always be overpacked
in unmarked packaging. Use the term “adornments” in
place of “jewelry” when describing contents on the bill
of lading.
Furniture
In most cases, the packaging of furniture is determined
on a shipment-by-shipment basis. Please call the
Lynden Worldwide Communications Center for help
locating a professional crating company in your area.
We will not accept any furniture “unpacked.”
Museum pieces and sculptures
These items are usually of great value or even priceless. For their safety in shipping, they must be crated
by a professional packer.
Athletic apparel and equipment
These are high-theft items which should be disguised
by packing in unmarked boxes. As with wearing apparel, a tamper-resistant tape is best to secure the
package against pilferage.
9
Glass
Glass must be crated in wood crates with supporting
braces, and cushioned with materials that will absorb
shock and vibration to protect it while in transit. If
there is more than one piece of glass inside the crate,
make sure each is braced and cushioned as stated
above.
Prints
Rolled prints should be placed in document tubes
designed for such items. If prints are packed in frames
with glass, they must be placed in wood crates with
packing material sufficient to survive a drop of 4 feet
(industry standards) as well as handling during both
ground and air transportation.
Auto Parts
These items are frequently large and bulky. Depending
on their size and shape, they will be loaded standing
up or lying down. Often they will be stacked on top
of each other to fit inside a truck or inside a container
that goes onto an airplane. As a result, parts packaging must be able to withstand a great deal of weight.
Consolidating your shipments is a good idea, too.
Package the parts efficiently to eliminate unused air
space inside the package.
Please do not record the insured value on the
carton or on the label when shipping high-value
ticket items.
10
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Lynden will not accept the following commodities
for transportation:
• Alcoholic beverages
• Antiques
• Bills of exchange
• Bonds
• Currency
• Deeds
• Evidence of debt
• Furs
• Gold bullion, coined or uncoined, or previous
metals thereof
• Gems, cut or uncut
• Hazardous waste
• Human remains, cremated or disinterred
• Jewelry (other than costume)
• Live animals or insects (including birds, fish, and
reptiles)
• Money
• Pearls
• Platinum
• Promissory notes
• Radioactive materials
• Securities, negotiable
• Silver bullion, coined or uncoined, or precious
metals thereof
• Stamps, postage or revenue
• Stock certificates
11
www.lynden.com
© 2008 Lynden AIR FReIGHT
ALL RIGHTs ReseRved
LAF.02.08.Od.LC—sLs800