Packing 101: How to Prepare Your Shipment Like a Pro

Most transport damage doesn’t happen on the motorway — it happens because an item wasn’t prepared for the journey in the first place. Whether you’re sending twelve boxes of books or a grand piano, twenty minutes of preparation can save you weeks of claims paperwork.

Start with the right box (or crate)

Double-walled cardboard for anything over 10 kg, and a timber crate for anything fragile, heavy, or irreplaceable. Fill every void: a box that rattles is a box that breaks. For furniture, remove legs and shelves where possible and wrap each piece separately in blankets, not bubble wrap — blankets breathe and don’t trap moisture against finishes.

Label like a professional

Every package should carry the destination address inside the box as well as outside. Add “this way up” arrows and a note of the total number of pieces in the consignment (e.g. “3 of 12”). Carriers on ShipMe photograph shipments at pickup and delivery, and clear labelling makes those photos meaningful.

Weigh and measure honestly

Underestimating weight is the most common cause of failed pickups. A carrier who quoted for a 60 kg sofa can’t legally or safely take a 120 kg sofa-bed. Bathroom scales and a tape measure take two minutes and keep your job on schedule — and accurate details attract sharper quotes in the first place.

The handover checklist

Before the vehicle leaves: photograph everything, count the pieces with the driver, and agree the delivery contact’s phone number. That’s it — your shipment is ready to travel.