Packaging Guidelines

Updated on 09 Nov 2024

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Overview

This article shares insights on the packaging guidelines for your shipments. During packing, make sure to consider the following factors while choosing the packaging material:

Dimensions: Helps in selection of appropriate size of boxes/flyers. Minimize inventory & cost
Weight: Optimize for the minimum strength required for box. Ensures safety of item
Fragility: Helps select appropriate box strength. Helps in optimizing the cushioning.
Physical State: Identifies the need for any special requirements for the protection of item.

In this section

Selection of Boxes

Material

Use corrugated boxes of 3 ply for products below 4Kg and not fragile.
Use corrugated boxes of 5 ply for products above 4Kg and fragile.
Use tamper evident boxes for high value items (Cost above Rs. 7000).
Ensure the material used can withstand the required edgecrush and burst factor loads.
Optimize the size of the boxes as per the product dimensions.
The box should not be too small or too big for the item shipped. An optimum size box should be chosen.
Inspect the box for holes, tears, crushed edges and sturdiness. Avoid poor quality boxes for the safety of the item shipped.

Size

Optimize the size of the boxes as per the product dimensions
The box should not be too small or too big for the item shipped. An optimum size box should be chosen.

Quick Check

Inspect the box for holes, tears, crushed edges and sturdiness. Avoid poor quality boxes for the safety of the item shipped.

Selection of Flyers / Polybags

Flyers are quick and handy in packing of flexible items such as apparels or can be used as an added protection for the safety of the shipment from external fluids, tampering etc.

Material

Choose 60-80microns hotmelt glue adhesive LDPE polybags
Use tamper evident polybags for high value items (Cost above Rs.7000)

Quick Check

Inspect the polybag for any damages
Ensure the opening is sealed properly after the packing of item

Packing an item

Packing an item involves leak proofing, cushioning, placing of the item and filling of the voids in the box. Enough cushioning needs to be provided to ensure no loads are transferred to the item.

Material

Bubble Wrap
Foam sheets

Internal packing material vs functionality

Leaking Proofing

Liquid products need to be made leak proof before cushioning or packing. Common leak proofing techniques are mentioned below.

Material

Heat shrink sleeves
Taping of bottle caps
Zip lock or leak proof pouches

Sealing of Shipment

Sealing ensures that the properly packed item is secured and intact inside the box throughout the journey of the shipment.

Tape

Use Pressure Sensitive Tapes such as BOPP

Locations

Seal the center seam of the top and bottom of the box
For heavy shipments, apply H-Taping by sealing both the center and edge seams on the box

Shipment Labelling

Proper labeling is crucial for faster and safe handling of the shipment in reaching the intended destination.

Essential Data

Barcode height (min. size : 8 mm)
Waybill number and Barcode (min. size : 8 MIL, 1MIL= 0.2032mm)
Order number and Barcode (min. size : 8 MIL, 1MIL= 0.2032mm)
Consignee address (min. font size: 8pts, Calibri body)
Return address (min. font size: 8pts, Calibri body)
Retail/Tax Invoice

Location of Label

Paste the label on a seamless flat face of the box/flyer
Paste the label away from seams or edges of the box
Readability of barcode is important for faster and correct processing of shipments
In flyers/polybags, all the essential data on labels should be visible and the label should be placed flat
The pocket containing the label in flyer should be taped at the opening to avoid the loss of label
Thermal printed labels are strongly recommended over regular labels.

What not to do?