How to Pack

Due to the specific rules of courier transport, we would like to remind you that the key aspect in the safety of your parcel is the correct securing of its contents.

Parcels are usually transferred from one car to another two or three times during the entire transport process.
Shipments are sorted mechanically, which means that they travel on a conveyor belt in a given warehouse, and the sort is made by a machine, not by a human, which is why we cannot guarantee that your packages will remain in the position specified on the package (up-down).
In the car, shipments are stacked on top of each other from the heavier to the lighter ones, therefore the cardboard used for packaging must be solid, hard and fully filled so that it cannot be damaged under the pressure or weight of other packages – if the package is not resistant to stacking, it means that it was not packaged properly.

Below are some tips that will help you quickly pack each shipment so that it is safe and protected against damage during the journey.

WE RECOMMEND

A suitable cardboard box that is a minimum of 3 layers (anything thinner may be damaged and does not properly protect the contents).
The cardboard box should be sealed with a large amount of tape so that it is not possible to open it without leaving clear traces.
For tape, we recommend using high quality scotch tape or silver duct tape.
Cardboard resistance can be added by covering it with cling wrap.
The cardboard box must be selected so that it is not too big or too small – too small can easily split at the edges under the pressure of the content, and too large can be damaged underneath the weight of other packages.
Do not throw smaller items into the box loosely because they will move around during transport, which may also cause damage. Small items should be packed in smaller boxes and those should be added together into a large collective package.
To stiffen the cardboard and the content itself, use fillers (read more about fillers in our next post).

WHAT WE ADVISE AGAINST

Please do not send parcels solely containing chips, crisps, popcorn, paper towels, toilet paper, pampers, etc. Lightweight packages such as these are easily damaged and are not suited for international courier delivery.
Please do not use masking tape or electrical insulating tape for securing your parcel.
Please do not use paper for wrapping because we add sticker address labels, which can tear off the paper and easily get lost – this can significantly hinder the service and delivery time of your parcel.
Please do not use aluminum foil for the same reason as paper (above).
Please do not send half-empty parcels – this may result in damage to the parcel or its contents.
Please do not put any liquids into the parcels because they are excluded from our services (after spilling, they can destroy other customers’ parcels and you will have to pay the fine).
Please do not include any hazardous materials or prohibited items in your parcel. If you break the rules, there is a possibility that the entire container will be withheld from shipment. You will be solely responsible for all financial damages occurring from this, including the delay fees of other customers.
For a full list of prohibited items, please visit our Prohibited Items page.

MATERIALS

CARDBOARD BOXES

The basic protective packaging is an ordinary cardboard box, in which you can safely pack most things. It does not have to be new, but it should be undamaged, without abrasions or tears, especially in the area of ​​the flaps closing the cardboard box.

Please remember that it is against regulation for several smaller boxes to be be secured together into one shipment using tape or cling wrap or any other method. They may become detached and lost, and it may not be possible to find them.

When starting packing, remember not to overload the cardboard and not to put more than the weight limit specified by the manufacturer (such information is usually printed on the cardboard). If it has a sticker, e.g. with a barcode, it is worth removing or painting it over to facilitate the work of automatic scanners used in courier and transport companies.

The so-called double packing – cardboard boxes of different sizes inside each other – is best used when we send a parcel with fragile, delicate content. It is even better to provide additional protection in the form of some kind of cushioning material (filler). It should tightly fill the inside of the cardboard box in such a way that the elements inside it cannot move.
TAPE

It is best to use a special thick and wide tape for packing. Using regular school (office) or painter’s tape can do more harm than good. Correct closure and protection of the box guarantees the safety of the package. It is best to use a self-adhesive tape or one with nylon fibers, which provides additional strength.

You need to remember to tape not only the upper (opening) flaps, but also to strengthen the lower ones, protecting them from unexpected opening. Most boxes have factory-glued bottom flaps, but this often turns out to be insufficient, especially with heavier packages. It is also advised to tape the edges of the box for maximum security.
FILLER

When transporting delicate, fragile, or high-value items, it is recommended to use special fillers with shock-absorbing properties. Thanks to this, the package will be more secure and protected in the event of bumps, falls, or sudden overturning. The use of shock-absorbing fillings is also often a condition for accepting a package for transport by many courier and transport companies. What fillers can be used?

Flopak fillers – polystyrene cubes, most often used to fill heavy elements; S-type crisps or so-called chips, which in turn are perfect for light items. However, their small dimensions make it very easy to get inside the protected items. Flopak fillers are not advised in the securing of electronics as they generate static electricity by rubbing against each other, which can destroy electronic circuits.
Skropak – a type of flopak, but fully biodegradable. In addition, it is fully antistatic, so it can be used to protect electronics. Skropak does not contain any toxic compounds and dissolves in water, therefore it should not be exposed to weather conditions such as rain or snow.
Airbags and bubble wrap – they are practically the cheapest protective material, perfect for the transport of smaller items, but completely useless when the package contains sharp ends. In practice, however, they are used quite rarely, most often for the transport of porcelain and glass without sharp edges.
Newspapers, wrapping paper – they are only useful for wrapping packages and protecting them, for example, against dust and dirt. They do not have any major shock-absorbing properties. Filling the inside of the cartons with newspapers and wrapping paper does not protect the contents from serious damage; it can only be a supplement to another cushioning agent.
Styrofoam – used primarily by manufacturers of electronic equipment and home furnishings. They have a shape that directly corresponds to the transported object, e.g. laptop, monitor, washing machine. They provide the highest level of security.

Regardless of the type of filler you use, you must remember that each packed element should not adhere directly to the side of the box or touch another element. The content of the carton or other packaging should be as rigid as possible and it should not be possible to change the place.

PACKAGING COMPONENTS

You can transport more than one item in one package, but you must remember to carefully pack each of them. For this purpose, it is best to use, for example:

a) bubble wrap around the object and then tape; this method of packaging is recommended by our company,
b) thick wrapping or foil: similarly wrapped and tied with a tape, but it is much heavier than bubble wrap, which ensures security but can increase the cost of delivery,
c) cardboard is mainly used for packing larger pieces of equipment (bicycles, bedside lamps, etc.); its purpose is direct protection against scratches.

We recommend using at least 5 cm of protective layer for each element.
OTHER SHIPMENTS

In the case of non-standard shipments, cartons and boxes are also most often used; however, larger cardboard boxes are used, which can be obtained, for example, in hardware stores.

BICYCLES

It is best to put them in special large-area cardboard boxes – you can ask about them in shops or bicycle repair shops. As in the case of normal boxes, here it is also worth checking the condition of the flaps, removing stickers and labels. Then follow the instructions below.

The basic principle of packing a bicycle is that there is nothing else in the carton, please do not put any other items in the carton with the bicycle that may damage the bicycle under the pressure of other packages on the side of the carton!

Clean the bike of dirt, dust and residual mud. This will increase both its aesthetics and facilitate the subsequent disassembly of individual elements.
Prepare the carton to pack the bike well. Even if its bottom flap looks solidly secured, it should be additionally taped to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Start disassembling the bike from unscrewing the pedals and lowering the saddle to the maximum. If the bicycle has a bell, meter, external lamps, these should also be included in the same box, but removed from the bike and properly secured. We also pack all other parts (pedals, wheels) disassembled from the bike.
Place the handlebars along the frame, thus reducing the bicycle’s bulky capacity. If the bike still does not fit into the box, disassemble the wheels after releasing the brakes and cables.
After disassembling the wheels, secure the bike, including the gears, by wrapping them with material or bubble wrap and twisting the tape. We do the same with the frame and the twisted handlebar, additionally using cardboard, which will prevent the bike from scratching. It is important to properly secure the chain, preferably using a reliable foil.
Put the dismantled parts of the bike together with the whole frame into the box, remembering to keep the contents as tight as possible. For this purpose, you can stick them together with tape or fill the voids with some kind of cushioning material.
Finally, close the carton and carefully seal it with tape, while checking if both flaps are firmly held. If you notice any disturbing bulges in the cardboard, use more tape.

TELEVISIONS, MONITORS, COMPUTERS AND LAPTOPS

Another type of parcel with specific packaging instructions are electronics – in the form of TV sets, monitors, computers and laptops. In all cases, these can only be sent by ship, seeing as electronics are prohibited on air mail packages. The best solution is to pack them in original boxes containing shock-absorbing polystyrene forms. It is recommended to pack the whole thing in a second cardboard box, which you should mark with a “Caution!” or “Fragile!” sign.

The situation becomes a bit more complicated when a computer or laptop is shipped. In this case, before packing the desktop computer, you must first remove the hard drive inside, wrap it in an antistatic foil and protect it with bubble wrap. Only then can it be placed back in the box with the entire shipment.

We also recommend that you copy the data from the disk in advance. As in the case of televisions and monitors, the carton should contain warnings in Polish and English.

GLASS AND PORCELAIN

Special shipments are those that contain fragile and delicate elements, ie. glass and porcelain. Many shipping companies refuse to accept such cargo, and if they allow such an option, then insurance is excluded, and the parcel will only be accepted if the shipment is well secured. Our company operates on this same basis. For this purpose, it is worth following the instructions below.

The packaging is extremely important, as it should be dimensionally suited to the package being transported. It must not be damaged, torn, or too delicate in any way – it should protect the interior from possible mechanical damage. When choosing a package, let’s also check its maximum weight resistance.
The protection (filling with shock absorber) should be selected according to the transported item: each element should be separately wrapped in bubble wrap or material. Newspapers, cardboard or wrapping papers are absolutely unacceptable. The elements packed in this should be put into a cardboard box, which is additionally secured with another shock-absorbing insert – polystyrene, sponge, material, etc.
Let’s try to have a fill between each of the elements. This also applies to the space between the element and the walls of the cardboard. Do not leave any free space inside or else contents of the package will move around and might become damaged.
It is also important to label the package: inscriptions informing about fragile contents (sticker „Attention!” “Fragile!” “Glass!”) or a specially purchased outer sticker with a printed warning. It is also important to identify the top and bottom of the package.

LAMPS

Lamps are packed differently than packages containing glass or porcelain, but with the same great care. First of all, you should prepare a box of the appropriate size and high degree of resistance.

Start as usual with standard reinforcing the bottom of the cardboard with a strip of tape.
Be sure to remove the lampshade and unscrew the bulb, wrapping the cable around the lamp.
If possible, let’s dismantle every larger element of the lamp, which will reduce its packaging area.
Bind together all possible elements (especially in multi-arm lamps) so that they do not spread out during transport.
The basis of packaging is bubble wrap or other cushioning material. Additionally, after wrapping the lamp with foil, it must be tied with tape. Repeat this with every other element, like a shade. Only then should you pack the whole thing into a cardboard box.
Fill the free space in the package with cushioning material, polystyrene, sponge, and other scraps of material.
The entire package should be wrapped with additional tape and an inscription informing about the delicate content.

BABY CARRIAGES

Taking into account the additional costs, it is better to pack the stroller in a cardboard box. That way, you don’t need to pay extra for a non-standard shipment and you significantly increase the security of the package. Please note that in the case of a non-standard package, shipping costs are significantly higher. So let’s take some time and pack the stroller in a cardboard box. It is best to use the box in which you purchased the original stroller; otherwise, we recommend that you follow the advice below.

Only use good quality, hard and undamaged cardboard. If you have the opportunity to get a cardboard box made of multi-layer cardboard, it is worth buying such a packaging. The bottom must be taped to strengthen it.
Pay attention to the cleanliness of the stroller – remove small particles of dried mud or sand.
Break down the carriage into its smallest possible parts. Unfasten toys, attached bags or bottom nets. If unscrewing the wheels makes it easier to pack the stroller, it doesn’t hurt to do so.
If the stroller can be disassembled into a frame with wheels and the upper canopy (mainly for deep baby strollers), take advantage of this option. This will make it easier for you to pack and wrap the stroller.
Wrapping with bubble wrap or cardboard will increase the security of the package and protect it from serious damage. Apply the wrapping not only to the fram, but also to all removed elements.
When placing the stroller in the box, try to place the main component in the middle with the accessories and disassembled elements and on the sides. Fill the remaining empty space with a shock absorber.

TRAVEL BAGS AND SUITCASES

Our company undertakes the transport of bags, suitcases, backpacks only packed in a cardboard box. If such a parcel is packed differently or even sent „in bulk”, the sender does it at his own risk.

When sending suitcases or your bags, protect any protruding elements: strings, clasps, handles and zippers. This can be done, for example, by wrapping the parcel in cling wrap (it does not have to be bubble wrap, it is enough to wrap the parcel several times with stretch foil). Outside, in a visible place, we put the addresses – the sender and recipient.

It is absolutely prohibited to combine several suitcases, bags or backpacks packed into one shipment (placing them next to each other and wrapping them with foil or packing them in a single carton). The package transported in this way may not only be damaged, but also become detached during transport. In cases like this, one or more of the bags might get lost or later experience problems with its identification.

ADDRESSING THE PACKAGE

In order for our parcel to reach the right addressee, it is necessary to address it properly. For this purpose, we place a sticker on the package with the following data:

Recipient’s full name
Recipient’s address including postal code and country
Recipient’s phone number
It is recommended to create a copy of this information and place it in an envelope inside the package. This information should be written in a clear handwriting, preferably using a computer printout.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENDER

The sender, by sending the package, certifies that they have read our Rules and Regulations. In particular, they must guarantee that the parcel has been properly packed, marked, and that it complies with the necessary dimensions. The sender certifies that the content of the shipment is legal and does not contain items that are excluded from transport, such as:

Cigarettes
Alcohol
Drugs
Liquids
Aerosols
Weapons and ammunition (also applies to historical weapons)
Any chemical and caustic substances
Metals, jewelry, and precious stones
For a full list of restricted items, visit our Prohibited Items page. In the event of a breach of the regulations, the sender bears full legal and financial responsibility and all related consequences resulting from the transport of such products or goods.