—— Topway Shipping shares tips on how to keep parcels safe and avoid damage while shipping across borders.

As global e-commerce grows quickly, more and more people and businesses are selecting international express delivery to send items. But a lot of consumers have the same worry: Are shipments likely to get damaged while they are being shipped internationally?

In fact, the general damage rate for international express shipments is rather low, around 1% to 3%. But because the cross-border shipping chain is so complicated, there are still dangers like transit compression and physical handling during sorting. If you don’t utilize the right protective packing, the chances of damage go up a lot for some fragile objects. Today, Topway Shipping will look at the main reasons why packages are damaged and discuss professional ways to preserve them.

 

Key Situations and Risk Factors for Package Damage

International express delivery routes usually include “multiple handling + transit sorting + long-distance transport,” and each step has its own risks:

1. The Stage of Transit Sorting

Automated machines and quick manual work are the most common types of equipment used in sorting centers.

• High-speed conveyor belts can fling, stack, or crush packages.
• For instance, glass objects that don’t have their own shock-absorbing packaging are very likely to break when they hit something. Packages with cardboard boxes that are too thin may also change shape when they are under pressure.

2. Part of Long-Distance Transportation

• In air freight, cargo holds usually stack goods 3 to 5 layers high, which puts a lot of pressure on the packages on the bottom layer.
• When goods are delivered on the ground, jolts and vibrations can cause shifting and collisions within.

Here are some numbers:

• The damage rates for shock-resistant objects like regular clothes and books stay below 0.5%.
• The rate of damage for glass and electronic items that aren’t packaged in a unique way can be as high as 5% to 10%.

What things need special packaging?

1. Items that are easy to break or get damaged

• Things made of glass and ceramics, like glassware, tableware, and glass skincare bottles
• Wrap each item separately in 3 to 5 layers of bubble wrap, then fill in any gaps with bubble wrap or foam pellets.
• Use a thick five-layer corrugated cardboard box for the outside, and add foam cushioning strips to the inside to keep things from moving around.
• Gadgets like phones, laptops, cameras, and so on
• Give priority to shock-resistant packing from the original manufacturer.
• If you don’t have the original packaging, use an anti-static bag and bubble wrap, filling it with foam blocks to keep everything safe.

2. Liquids and pastes

• Makeup, scents, and personal care items
• First, wrap the bottle opening in plastic wrap two or three times. Put in a sealed bag, wrap each one in bubble wrap, then fill with absorbent cotton.
• Liquids for food, such as honey and sauces
• Use plastic bottles that don’t leak or thick glass bottles with sealed closures and gaskets. To keep from crushing, wrap in bubble wrap and put in foam inserts.

3. Things that are strange shapes or worth a lot

• Things that are shaped strangely, like instruments, sculptures, lamps, etc.
• Use custom foam molds or wooden frames to keep things safe. Before putting them in wooden crates, wrap them with waterproof fabric. Use metal corner guards to make the corners stronger.
• Things of worth, such as jewelry, watches, and expensive electronics.
• Use boxes that can’t be opened and have padding to protect against shocks. You might also want to buy extra shipping insurance to lower the danger of losing your items.

4. Granules and Powders

• Coffee grounds, pharmaceutical powders, spice powders, and so on.
• Use foil bags or containers that are airtight and have two seals (one that is taped and one that is heat-sealed). Fill the outer box with foam pellets to keep it from leaking.

Topway’s tips for packaging to avoid shipping damage

1. Choose professional packing materials.

To make your items more resistant to compression and shock, use reinforced cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and foam padding that exceed international shipping regulations.

2. Do a “shake test” after you pack.

Shake the package by hand gently. If there are no obvious moving sounds, the contents are securely attached. Add more padding right away if things start to rattle.

3. Put on the “Fragile” Labels

Put big “Fragile” markings on the outside of boxes so that people who sort and distribute them know to be careful. Some carriers may give these kinds of cargo higher priority.

4. Think about getting shipping insurance.

We suggest getting shipment insurance for expensive or fragile items to protect against unexpected dangers.

Summary

International rapid shipping usually has rigorous safety regulations, but it’s important to package products correctly so they get there in one piece. Topway Shipping is a competent international shipping company that always follows the service concept of “safety, reliability, and efficiency.” We provide consumers one-stop cross-border shipping and expert advice on how to package their items so that they arrive securely at their destination anywhere in the globe.

FAQ

Q: Is the damage rate high for international express packages?

A: The overall rate of damage is between 1% and 3%. Normal things have a very low risk, but fragile and liquid things need special packaging.

Q: How should glassware be packed?
We suggest packing each item in several layers of bubble wrap and foam padding. Use a five-layer reinforced corrugated cardboard box for the outside and put a “Fragile” label on it.

Q: How can I prevent leaks in liquid items?
Use plastic wrap to cover the openings of the bottles, put them in a sealed bag, and add cotton that can soak up water. Multiple levels of security work well to stop leaks.

Q: Should valuable items be insured?

A: To reduce risks, we suggest getting shipment insurance, especially for gadgets and jewels that are worth a lot of money.

Q5: Does Topway Shipping offer professional packaging services?

A: Yes. Topway Shipping offers personalized packaging options, professional shock-absorbing materials, and all-in-one international shipping services to make sure that packages get to their destinations safely and securely.