One of the major problems faced by online businesses is shipping damage. A number of factors contribute to this problem, which includes improper handling, inexperienced shippers, water exposure as well as accidents. Damaged products affect the profit of a business and also strain the relationship with your customers. This is why it is important to put measures in place to prevent shipping damage. Below are seven ways to prevent shipping damage.
Seven Measures To Prevent Shipping Damage
1.Packaging: Packing the product properly and correctly is probably the most important part of the shipping process. Packaging goods wrongly will leave them prone to damage. Ensure that the packaging material that is strong and is large enough to cover the products. Also make sure you use the same packaging material and style for all your products, as this makes this easier to load them for transportation. Be sure to look out for tears, holes or dents in the packaging material.
2.Impact Protection: While packaging helps to keep the goods compact, impact protection keeps them intact in case of any troubles while in transit. Although impact protection is commonly used for liquids, glass and other fragile products, it can be used for any kind of product to ensure their safety. Materials like bubble wrap, biodegradable plastic, cardboard and paper, are effective for impact protection.
3.Adhesives: Adhesives are used for sealing packages before shipping. An unreliable adhesive is very likely to break, leaving the product exposed and prone to damage. Adhesives like string, masking tape and cellophane tape are not reliable when it comes to shipping. Instead, go for water-activated paper tape or pressure-sensitive paper tape.
4.Load The Trailer Correctly: Loading a trailer for shipping is something that should be done with precision. Make use of pallets in order to keep the packages in order. Stack packages of the same dimension on a pallet. Keep the package close to each other, minimizing the space between them. Place dry products on liquid goods, as this will reduce the possibility of water damages. Also, place lighter packages on the heavier ones.
5.Label All The Products: Labeling all the packages will go a long way in ensuring that the shipping is successful. Label the packages based on the types of content to make the loading process easier. Fragile, flammable, heavy and liquid packages should be labelled accordingly.
6.Data Logger: Using data loggers can go a long way in helping you to prevent shipping damage. A data logger is an electronic device that is attached to a package to track its position as well as the condition that it is in. Data loggers usually come with memory as well as an internal microprocessor which is used to communicate the condition of your package.
7.Have A Shipping Plan: Having a shipping plan will go a long way in ensuring that everything goes smoothly.
Conclusion
Overall, it is important to have an insurance policy in place to cater to losses and emergencies.
