Locking up the office at night

When you manage a warehouse or production facility, you know that shipping charges are usually one of the largest expenses you'll face for your company. This means you'll want to think about every aspect of shipping in order to contain costs, while still ensuring that your packages arrive safely.

The boxes you choose for shipping may be more important than you realise for both shipping costs and customer satisfaction, and fortunately there are many choices available to you when it comes to boxes and their packaging. Note a few tips for choosing the right boxes for commercial shipping, no matter your industry or product.

1. Choosing size

It's easy to think that you should choose the smallest box possible for shipping your products, since your shipper probably charges you by the dimension of your boxes and not just its weight. However, note the type of product you're shipping and if a box that's too small might cause a problem for your customers, and even cost you money in the long run.

If a customer tries to slice open the box and winds up slicing through your product, they may ask for a replacement product or just begin shopping with another supplier. So, while you don't want boxes that are too big for your product, you don't want an overly snug fit either. Note the size you need for easy opening and then fill it with packing material to keep products secure.

Bulk cargo boxes refers to those that fit on a pallet and which are used for shipping larger items or several items at once. When shopping bulk cargo boxes, be sure you choose the size that fits a standard pallet if you plan on shipping it with the pallet; some are sized for oversized pallets and they may hang over the side of your standard pallet.

2. Choosing protection

Weather resistant boxes are good for tropical areas, shipping during wintertime, and any time you need extra insulation against the elements. Don't assume that even heavy-duty boxes can protect your items form rain or snow or the risk of moisture damage, as heavy-duty boxes may not have the same water-resistant adhesive as part of its raw materials. 

Insulated shippers can also be a better choice for items that need to stay cool and dry; these will have a layer of foam or other type of padding inside the box, to keep out heat and humidity and to keep the interior of the box cool. They will work better for delicate items and food items than simple heavyweight boxes, which offer no temperature or humidity control.

Learn more about your options by contacting companies like Store-It-Safe.