The do??™s and don??™ts of packaging include the following:
??? If you don??™t want to turn your house into a shipping center, pay a commercial packing
outfit, such as the UPS Store, to do the packaging (and mitigate your responsibility in
any insurance claims that might arise).
??? Use only sturdy, clean boxes with old labeling and markings removed or covered.
Don??™t exceed the maximum gross weight a box is designed for (this is often indicated
on a bottom flap), especially when reusing a box.
??? When in doubt, double-box. It??™s really quite amazing that outfits like Dell could ship
relatively fragile items, such as computers and monitors, through normal channels
without major breakage problems. Their secret to success (besides custom-fit
Styrofoam) is to suspend the item in a well-packaged box of its own within a larger box
full of cushioning material (allow at least three inches on all sides).
??? Use packing tape (clear tape is the most common; the United States Postal Service
recommends two-inch), not that roll of leftover masking tape from last summer??™s
painting efforts. Think about getting a tape gun if you are planning on doing more than
a few items a year. Tape all seams for added protection.
??? Fill hollow items with packing material (Styrofoam or biodegradable peanuts, bubble
wrap, crumpled paper, foam, or cardboard) to provide added structural integrity.
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