an illustration of several cardboard boxes

How to Pack a Box for Shipping Properly for Online Sellers

7 min read

Packing a box is a relatively simple process, but there are some details to consider when doing so. Moreover, some types of packages or those going to certain destinations may need to be packed in varying ways.

We have compiled a brief guide to learn how to pack a box for shipping to help ecommerce sellers more efficiently fulfill their orders.

Choosing the Right Packaging

The first step in learning how to properly pack a box for shipping is to pick the ideal packaging. Several types of packaging can be great for ecommerce purposes, including:

Corrugated/cardboard boxes
Fold top boxes
Poly mailers
Padded envelopes

There is no best form of packaging, as it will depend on the particular product being shipped. Sellers must determine the best packaging for their product’s size, value, and fragility.

Don’t forget to consider the cost of the packaging as well.

Eco-Friendly Packaging

As a brief note, the increased manufacture and distribution of products in the digital age has made many consumers and businesses more environmentally conscious. This has led to many businesses opting for more eco-friendly packaging options.

Fortunately, many excellent packaging options are cost-effective and protective. Of course, it is up to the businesses themselves whether this is an essential topic for their operations.

Packing Orders

When packing multiple items for shipping, heavier items should be placed on the bottom of the package. This will help to prevent them from crushing or damaging other smaller items.

Additionally, it may not be a good idea to pack fragile items with other bulky or heavier items, as this could result in damage.

However, this can be mostly prevented by using adequate padding and protection in between items.

Padding and Protection

Several padding and protection options can be used to protect items during shipping. Let’s examine some of the common options.

Air cushions: These are essentially plastic pockets filled with air. They provide ample cushion and come in recycled varieties.
Packing peanuts and other loose fillers: There are several biodegradable options for loose fillers. However, one problem with loose fillers is that movement during shipping can potentially cause the item to shift to the bottom of the filler. Packing the box tightly with filler material can mostly prevent this.
Bubble wrap: Bubble wrap is one of the most common forms of shipping protection. It is versatile and can be wrapped around many products to provide plenty of protection. There are also recycled varieties of bubble wrap.
Foam: There are a couple of options for foam protection, including large foam sections and thin foam that can be wrapped around products. However, these are typically not eco-friendly or recyclable.
Cardboard inserts: Cardboard inserts are another common padding material. They help keep items stable throughout shipping and are often better for larger items.

You can use almost anything as a package filler

The right padding option really depends on the particular item(s) being shipped and sustainability concerns. For smaller or more fragile items, it will likely be better to use a material that can be wrapped around them, such as bubble wrap or thin foam.

As a side note, when packing a box using bubble wrap or other moldable material, be sure to place a bottom layer before the item goes in.

Sealing and Preparing for Shipment

Now that the item is protected and placed inside the package, it is time to seal it and prepare it for shipping.

The type of package used will determine the sealing process. Poly mailers and padded envelopes often have a self-sealing strip that can close them. This will typically require removing a thin layer of tape and then pushing the two sides closed.

Boxes will require good-quality shipping tape. Don’t settle for any old tape, as it could lead to the box opening back up. Tape can be applied using a shipping roller or by hand from the roll. Make sure to take the tape a couple of inches over the sides of the box on the bottom and top to help ensure a good seal.

How to Pack a Box for International Shipping

Packing a box for international shipping is largely the same as packing any other package. However, there are a couple of steps that deserve special attention.

Firstly, make sure to use durable packaging that can withstand a significant trip across countries.

Additionally, pay special attention to ensuring that all labels and address information are completely correct the first time around. When reusing a box that has previous shipping information on it, be sure to remove or cover all of the old information.

How to Pack a Gift Box for Shipping

For those packing a shipment in a gift box, there are also a few details that need special attention.

Here are a few tips to help properly pack a gift box:

Use the correct size box
Pack and wrap items individually
Fill in hollow items, such as cups and mugs
Use ample padding to prevent movement

As long as you follow the advice in this guide, it will be easy to pack up all of your products and get them to your eagerly waiting customers.

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Nov 27, 2023

About the author

Max has been working in the ecommerce industry for the last six years helping brands to establish and level-up content marketing and SEO. Despite that, he has experience with entrepreneurship. He is a fiction writer in his free time.