Packaging decides two things: whether the product arrives intact and how much you pay for shipping. A big box full of air costs more and protects less. The rule: right-sized box, product immobilised, H-taping, flat label on the largest face.
Published · Vialog Fulfillment
1. Three or four box sizes cover 90% of orders; the rest, padded envelopes. 2. The product does not move: paper fill, not loose air. 3. Fragile items wrapped separately and in the centre. 4. H-taping and no tape over the label. 5. Real weight and dimensions recorded: that is what the carrier charges you for.
The carrier asks for evidence: photo of the parcel, weight at dispatch, packaging used. If your provider records packing and weighs every parcel, the claim is won; if not, it is argued.
Volumetric weight is what the carrier calculates from the parcel’s dimensions (length by width by height, divided by a factor each carrier sets), and it charges you the higher of that and the actual weight. That is why a large box full of air can cost more to ship than the product’s weight would suggest.
A padded envelope for flat, soft or unbreakable products, such as clothing, cases or accessories, because it weighs and takes up less and makes shipping cheaper. A box for anything rigid, fragile or irregularly shaped, and whenever there are several units that could knock against each other in transit.
Start by reducing size before changing materials: a right-sized box uses less cardboard and less fill and takes up less room in the lorry. Then choose recycled and recyclable cardboard and paper instead of plastic, and paper tape when the parcel’s weight allows it.
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