How to Send a Parcel or Freight Consignment Safely in the UK

We see damaged goods occasionally. Not often, because most of the freight we move travels on a dedicated vehicle where handling is minimal. But when we do see damage, it's almost always a packaging problem rather than a handling problem. The courier gets blamed, but the real cause is usually that the goods weren't prepared for what road transport actually involves.

Road transport involves vibration, lateral movement when the vehicle corners, the occasional sharp brake, and the pressure of other goods stacked nearby. Good packaging is designed around all of this, not just around making the box look presentable on a shelf.

Box Selection: This Is Where Most People Go Wrong

Single-wall cardboard boxes are fine for very light goods. For anything over about 5kg, or anything fragile, you want double-wall corrugated. The difference in crush resistance is significant. If you're reusing a box, check it carefully — a box that's been crushed once has lost structural integrity even if it looks broadly okay.

The box should be large enough for your goods plus adequate cushioning on all sides, but not so large that the contents move around inside. A tight-fitting box with minimal cushioning is worse than a larger box with proper internal support.

Internal Packaging: The Part That Actually Protects

Bubble wrap works well for individual fragile items — wrap each piece separately before placing in the box. Foam-in-place, foam sheets, and moulded polystyrene give better protection for items with an irregular shape. Loosely crumpled newspaper is better than nothing but worse than most alternatives — it compresses significantly under weight and stops cushioning effectively.

Fill all void space inside the box. If you can shake the box and hear movement, add more cushioning. The internal contents should not shift at all during transit.

For fragile or specialist goods, our dedicated courier service minimises handling events significantly.

Sealing: Use More Tape Than You Think You Need

Use proper packing tape — not masking tape, not parcel string, not a single strip of tape along the centre seam. The H-taping method (tape along the centre seam and across both ends) gives substantially better resistance to the box opening during transit. For heavier boxes, three or more strips of tape across each seam is appropriate.

Labelling: The Detail That Causes More Problems Than You'd Expect

Label clearly, with full address including postcode, and make sure the label is secure. A label that peels off mid-transit creates a genuinely difficult problem — the package may arrive, but proving where it came from and where it was going becomes complicated. A label pouch or at minimum a label covered with clear tape is better than a printed label stuck directly to the box surface.

Include a backup label inside the box with your sender details and the delivery address. If the outer label is lost or damaged, this gives the courier a way to resolve it without the parcel becoming unidentifiable.

For Pallet Consignments

Pallet loads need stretch wrap — applied firmly and in multiple layers — to hold the load stable on the pallet. Overhang beyond the pallet edge increases damage risk significantly. If your goods can't be stacked without overhang, contact us to discuss the right vehicle and loading arrangement before the collection. See our pallet delivery service for more.

What Happens If Something Gets Damaged?

If a consignment is damaged in transit and a claim is needed, the packaging condition is relevant. Insurance claims are harder to pursue when packaging is inadequate for the goods being transported. We cover all our loads with goods-in-transit insurance, but for high-value or fragile consignments, tell us before we collect — both so we can handle appropriately and so the right level of cover is confirmed. Get a quote or discuss your consignment with us directly.

Short Summary: What to Always Do

•      Double-wall box for anything fragile or over 5kg

•      Fill all void space inside — no movement at all

•      H-tape method on all seams

•      Secure, clear, weather-resistant labelling

•      Backup label inside the box

•      Stretch wrap pallet loads, no overhang