Packaging & Shipping

Overview

Packaging protects the product in transit and reflects the company's professionalism to the customer. Poor packaging exposes products to damage and loss in transit. The category pulls together the solutions needed for professional, secure packaging.

Product Types

The category covers corrugated boxes in single-, double-, and triple-wall constructions in standard and custom sizes, bubble wrap for sensitive items, packaging foams (polyethylene, polyurethane), loose-fill foam peanuts, stretch film and shrink film for pallets and small packs, adhesive tapes (PVC, BOPP, water-activated kraft), carton sealers, pallet wrappers, strapping and shrink-wrap machines, label printers and industrial scales.

Selection Factors

Packaging materials are selected by product weight and fragility (strong cartons for heavy goods, bubble and foam for sensitive goods), shipping mode (air, sea, road), distance (local or international), and customer or carrier requirements. Machines are selected by daily output and the required level of automation. Export and customs compatibility must be considered.

Difference from Storage & Organization

Packaging & Shipping prepares the product to leave the facility; Storage & Organization prepares it to be stored within it.

Standards Note

Depending on the application, packaging materials may fall under ISO 11607 for medical products, ISTA for testing, UN regulations for hazardous goods, and ISPM-15 for export timber. Specifications vary by product and brand.