When it comes to shipping electronics, be sure to keep in mind that electronic items often contain many parts that are extremely small and fragile. While these parts may be contained in some sort of case, usually these cases are made of hard plastic that might break or dent easily if it is not properly packed during shipping. However, by familiarizing yourself with the best methods of shipping electronics and making sure that you have the correct shipping supplies, you will have a better chance of shipping your electronic items without risk of damage.
The first step to shipping an electronic item is to disassemble the item as much as you possibly can. For example, if you are shipping a printer you should remove the paper tray and any cords from the printer. Each of the pieces you separate should be put into separate labeled bags so that you do not mix them up. If your item contains knobs or other parts that you cannot remove, use extra bubble wrap to cover these pieces. You should also check to see if your item is hollow inside. If so, you should fill the hollow space with packing materials. If you are packing cords you should bundle them together and secure them with twist ties so as to minimize the amount of space they require. The next step is to pack the larger pieces of equipment. You should use two layers of bubble wrap so as to completely cover the item. Secure the wrap with a strong and durable packaging tape.
After you have disassembled the item and properly packaged the individual pieces, you can begin to pack them into a large box for shipment. Gather all appropriate shipping supplies such as packing peanuts and packaging tape. You should fill about half of the box with packing peanuts and then place the largest item in the box. Cover approximately one third of that item with additional packing peanuts. Now you can begin placing the additional electronic components in the box. Be sure to keep the items from touching each other. It is essential that you use packing peanuts for your electronic items. Do not try to substitute paper as it is not an efficient packing material for electronic items.
Once you have put all of your items in the box, fill the rest of it with packing peanuts. Following this step, close the box and gently shake it so as to determine if your items will move around. If they do move around, reposition your items and add more packing peanuts. After you have secured your items, you are ready to close the box and seal it with tape.
The final step is to place your original box into a second box that is about one to two inches larger. You should have a thin layer of packing peanuts in the new box before you place the original box inside it. After you have put the original box inside the new one, you should fill any empty space with additional packing peanuts. As before, you should check for any movement and repack the box if necessary. After completing this step, you are ready to close the box. You should be sure to seal it with plenty of tape so as to completely secure your package.
