Handle with Care: What Type of Shipping Materials Should I Use for Fragile Items?

 

Whether you are a business owner or you just have a gift you want to ship to a friend, sending out fragile items can be extremely stressful. Carriers are not exactly known for handling packages with care, and things like glass can easily be damaged during the shipping process.

When you are shipping fragile items, using the right outer packaging is vital. It is also extremely important to use shipping materials that provide shock protection and keep the items from moving around inside the box. What type of shipping materials should you use for fragile items? Keep reading to find out!

Outer Packaging

The right size matters when choosing an outer container for your fragile items. Corrugated cardboard boxes tend to provide the best protection, but you need one that is neither too large nor too small. A box that is too small is prone to tearing while one that is too large may become dented during transit. The item or items you are shipping should fit neatly inside the box while leaving some space for filler material.

Filler Material

Filler material keeps items from bumping into each other or the sides of the box. It keeps them from moving around and helps absorb shock when a package is dropped, thrown or jostled. There are several different types of filler material to choose from, but most work equally well.

In general, it works well to wrap each individual item using a bubble wrap roll and surround each wrapped item with packing peanuts or air pillows. Air pillows are a popular alternative to packing peanuts for business owners because they are environmentally friendly and require significantly less storage space in warehouses.

If you do not have access to any of these filler materials, crumpled paper works well, too. Wrap items in newspaper and add crumbled newspaper pages to the box to fill voids and keep the items from moving around. You can also use shredded printing paper, crumpled magazine pages or just about any other type of recycled paper you can imagine.

Packing Fragile Items Efficiently

If you are not familiar with shipping fragile items, it can be a bit intimidating. You may wonder how much filler material to use or how to ensure that multiple fragile items can safely be sent in the same package. When it comes to filler material, you need to use enough to ensure that the items inside the package are not able to move around. It should be placed below, above and all around the fragile items to keep them from coming into contact with each other or the sides of the box.

When you are sending several fragile products in one box, use dividers to separate them. You can also place each item in an inner box to provide an extra degree of protection. Items with protrusions or sharp objects should be wrapped in a few additional layers to help prevent damage.

Affixing labels to indicate that a shipment is fragile is always a good idea. Doing so does not, however, guarantee that a package will be handled with care. Stickers can help your package reach its destination safely, but they are not a substitute for careful packaging.

Final Thoughts

Shipping fragile items can be a bit scary, but with some care and attention, you can ship anything without worrying about damage. Typically, a sturdy box is your best option for outer packaging, but in certain circumstances, padded envelopes may be a good option. Be sure to securely wrap each item and surround it with filler materials like packing peanuts or air bags. Label your shipments as fragile.

When sending out items that are breakable, it is always a good idea to invest in shipping insurance. This is especially important if the items you are shipping are valuable. Despite your best efforts, shipments sometimes get damaged while in transit. When you opt for insurance, you will be reimbursed for the damage if a fragile item arrives broken.



Whether you are a business owner or just looking to mail a delicate gift to a friend or family member, don’t be intimidated by the thought of shipping fragile items. With a little care and preparation, you can send just about anything without any problems. At Air Sea Containers, we have the shipping materials you need to safely ship even the most fragile items.