11 Common Sense Tips to Ensure Your Freight is Safe

Freight is Safe

No matter what kind of freight you send, you’ll want it to arrive in good condition with no visible damage.  The first step is to choose a reliable transport company that comes highly recommended by friends, family or someone else you know and trust. Failing that, you can ask around hardware or furniture stores, or do some research online to find just the right company.

Here are 11 tips to ensure it arrives safely.

  • Packaging is the watchword if you want goods to arrive undamaged. Don’t just pack them up in any old box with a piece of string to keep it all together. Choose a box that is new or nearly new and has not been obviously battered around on other trips.
  • Choose a box with a lid, preferably one that fits down over the top and can be securely taped to the sides.
  • Tape the lid down and run the tape right around and under the box to ensure the bottom doesn’t fall out. Tape another strip over and down the un-taped side. The end of the tape should overlap the start by a few centimetres.
  • Use strong packaging tape, not the kind painters use.
  • Pack the goods with care and attention to detail. If there are any sharp points or pieces that poke out, wrap extra bubble wrap around them so they can’t penetrate the box walls.
  • Fill in all the gaps around the item with wrapping or scrunched up newspaper, and if you have multiple boxes, use more tape or cargo nets to make sure your packages are kept together.
  • Place padding on the base of the box before inserting the item, then over the top of the item before putting on the lid
  • Never over-pack a box as they are usually stacked on top of each other in the truck and this would put lots of pressure on the item.

  • Labelling is another important detail that many people don’t get right. If possible, use sticky labels with a printed address. If you don’t have it printed, make sure the handwriting is neat and legible. Don’t use paper with sticky tape as it can tear and come off. At the very least, glue the label on, then go around the edges with packaging tape.  Use waterproof ink to write on the label and use medium or a fat pen tip, not the finest, as this will be difficult to see.
  • Book the carrier early so it is not delayed, especially if it is going overseas by ship, as this can take weeks.
  • If your item is expensive, consider taking out insurance for it. Don’t just rely on the carrier’s insurance. There could be more than one carrier involved, so how would you be able to prove which one did the damage?

Once you implement these ideas, you’ll have peace of mind that your goods will arrive safely.