Tips & Tricks on Protecting Packages
We know how critical it is for you to offer the best customer experience while maximizing your revenue streams. During this holiday season, here are some tips and tricks on how you can accomplish these objectives by protecting packages against damage or loss while in transit.
Top Packing Tips
- Use non-descriptive boxes – especially when shipping high value or popular items, do not identify the package content to minimize theft.
- Match the box to the contents – make sure the packaging supports both the weight and volume of the item shipped. Use boxes made of harder materials for heavier items and softer materials for lighter items.
- Padding – cushion item to minimize movement within the box; ideally there should be 2” of packing material on all sides.
- Proper tape – use tape that is at least 2-3” wide and specifically designed for shipping.
- Tape all open edges – to increase strength and reduce the chance of catching on sorting machines.
- Seal items – content that can be damaged by water or dirt should be sealed in a water tight container such as a plastic bag or wrap.
- Double box – items that are fragile or heavy should be double boxed for maximum protection while in transit.
- For hollow items – put padding on the inside of the hollow item, especially if fragile.
- Protect the label – make sure the shipping label is properly affixed to the package. If you are using a label printed by a thermal printer, do not put tape over the printed portion because it can make the print illegible over time. You don’t need to worry about the print smearing in the rain with these labels, since there is no ink.
Increased Protection with Parcel Insurance
If you do choose to insure your packages, Endicia makes it easy by enabling you to quickly add insurance while you create shipping labels. Endicia offers three insurance options: Endicia Parcel Insurance, USPS® Insurance and third-party insurance.
With USPS Insurance, you can insure items up to $5,000. Over the summer, USPS has introduced limited insurance coverage on items sent via Priority Mail at no cost to you. Note that if you need to file a claim on items insured with USPS, you will need to file it at www.usps.com even if you purchased it through the Endicia software. For more information visit https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-and-extra-services.htm
With Endicia Parcel Insurance you can cover the entire value of your package, up to $10,000* – including shipping costs if you decide to include it – at a cost that is, on average, 63% lower than the same coverage purchased through the U.S. Postal Service®.
Adding Endicia Parcel Insurance is easy. And, in addition to purchasing the insurance coverage through the software you can also file and track claims right within the Endicia system.
If you insured your package with Endicia Parcel Insurance and it is lost or damaged, filing a claim is easy too. Through your Endicia account page, you can see a list of all insured packages and file your claim right from that page. Since most of the form fields will be pre-populated with the information entered when the shipping label was created, you don’t have to spend the time or hassle of filling out the forms or remembering the declared value or how much insurance you purchased for the item.
For additional information on Endicia Parcel Insurance visit www.endicia.com/insurance. From this page you can see an over view of Endicia Parcel Insurance, Insurance Coverage and Rules, and FAQ and information on filing insurance claims.
Click here to see a quick overview of some of the capabilities Endicia offers compared to USPS and third-party insurances.
* cell phones and laptops have a $5,000 limit per package
