Introduction

At Indiabuyon, we understand the importance of proper packaging in ensuring the safe delivery of your shipments. That's why we provide comprehensive packaging guidelines that cover various aspects such as measuring and weighing packages, packaging methods, sealing and labeling instructions, as well as guidelines for handling restricted items.

Expected takeaways from the packaging guideline handbook are as follows:

1. An overview of packaging process
2. The different categories of products
3. The packaging process of different categories
4. The Final Checklist

An overview of packaging process

1. Understanding the item for appropriate packing choices

An understanding about the product/item to be shipped makes it easy to choose an efficient and cost effective packaging.
The following table relates the basic characteristics of the item to the parameters for selection of packages:

The relationship : Item & package choice

Dimension of item

• Helps in selection of appropriate size of boxers/flyers
• Minimize inventory & cost

Weight of the item

• Optimize for the maximum strength required for the box
• Ensure safety of the item

Fragility of item

• Helps in selection of appropriate box strength
• Helps in optimizing the cushioning items

Physical state

• Identifies the need for any special requirements of the protection of item
• E.g. Liquid products need additional leak proofing
•  

2. Selection of Boxes

The right selection of boxes are crucial for the safety delivery of any item shipped.

Material

• Use corrugated boxes of 3 ply for the products below 4 Kgs or not fragile
• Use corrugated boxes of 5 ply for the products above 4 Kgs and fragile
• Use tamper evident box/flyer for high value items (Cost above 7000)
• Ensure the material used can withstand the required edge crush & burst factor load

Size

• Optimize the size of the boxes as per the product dimensions
• The box should not be too small or too big for the item shipped. An optimum size box should be chosen

Quick check

• Inspect the box for holes, tears, crushed items & sturdiness. Avoid poor quality boxes for the safety of items
• Box is very compared to the item shipped

Box selection

Choose appropriate size of the box by considering the dimension of the item to be shipped

Size of the box is bigger than the item dimensions

Crushed Torn Damage Box
Sturdy, No Damage Box

Size of the box as per the item dimensions

3. Selection of Flyer & Boxes

Flyers are quick & handy in packing of flexible items such as apparels or can be used as an added protection for the safety of the shipment from external fluids, tampering etc.

Material

• Choose 60-80 microns hot melt glue adhesive LDPE polybag
• Use tamper evident poly bags for high value items (Cost above 5000)

Quick Check

• Inspect the polybag for any damages
• Ensure the opening is sealed properly after picking the item

Flyer Selection

4. Packaging of an item

Packaging of an item involves leak proofing, cushioning, placing of the item & filling of the voids in the box. Enough cushioning needs to be provided to ensure no loads are transferred to the items

Material

• Bubble wrap
• Foam sheets

Cushioning

Bubble Wrap
Foam Sheets

REFERENCE TABLE : Internal Packaging material vs. Functionality

5. Packaging of an item

Liquid items need to be made leak proof before cushioning or packing. Common leak proofing techniques are mentioned below.

Material

• Heat shrink sleeves
• Taping of bottle caps
• Zip lock or leak proof pouches

Leak Proofing

Heat Shrink Sleeves
Taping Of Bottle Caps
Zip lock or leak proof pouches

6. Packing of the item

All the voids in the box needs to be filled to restrict the movement of the items in the box. Void fill materials as listed below can be used for the purpose.

Material

• Air cushions/Air pouches
• Crumpled paper
• Cardboard inserts (also used as divider for multiple products)

Void Fill

Air cushions/Air pouches
Crumpled paper
Cardboard inserts

7. Sealing of the consignment

Sealing ensures that the properly packed item is secured and intact inside the box throughout the journey of the shipment.

Sealing

Taping for light weight shipments
H-Taping for heavy, liquid and fragile shipments

Tape

• Use branded pressure sensitive tapes such as BOPP

Locations

• Seal the center seam of the top and the bottom of the box
• For heavy,liquid & fragile items, apply H-taping by sealing both the center and edge seams on the box
•  

8. Labelling of the Shipment

Proper labelling is crucial for faster & safe handling of the shipment in reaching the intended destination.

Shipment label

Essential Data

• Barcode
• Waybill number and barcode (Incase of shipments of order value above 50,00 )
• Order number & barcode
• Consignee address
• Return address
• Retail / Tax Invoice
•  

9. Labelling of the shipment

The label should be pasted at the right location to make it compatible with the requirements of logistics system for a fast & efficient delivery

Location of Label

Paste the label always on a seamless flat surface

Essential Data

• Paste the label on the seamless flat face of the box/flyer
• Paste the label away from the seams or edges of the box
• Readability of barcode is important for faster and correct processing of shipments
• In flyers/polybags all the essential data on labels should be visible and the label should be placed flat
• The pocket containing the label in the flyer should be taped at the opening to avoid the loss of label
• Thermal printed labels are strongly recommended over regular labels

Do not paste label on the edges as shown above

Do not paste the label with the barcode over the seam. It can damage the barcode

Do not use torn labels as shown above

The label should not be crumpled and unsealed as shown above

Label without barcode cannot be processed as shown above

10. Special handling labels

Special handling labels helps in communicating the necessary information for appropriately handling the shipment.

Special Handling Labels

Common Categories

• Fragile
• Perishables
• Dangerous Goods
• Package orientation
• Keep Dry
•  

The categories and Items

Packaging Process For Electronics Items

1. Packaging Process: Preparing the item

Check the product seal and order

Wrap the product in the bubble wrap

2. Packaging Process: Packaging the item in the box

i) Choose a sturdy 3-ply corrugated box

iii) Seal the box with BOPP tape

iv) Place the sealed box in a LDPE polybag*

• For items above Rs 7000, use tamper evident packaging: box/flyer

ii) Place the item in the corrugated box ensuring all voids are filled

Packaging Process For Electrical Items

1. Packaging Process: Preparing the item

Inspect the condition of the primary packaging for the safety of the product

For heavy items, prepare the edges with hardboard angles

2. Packaging Process: Packaging the item in the box

i) Choose the sturdy 3/5 ply corrugated box

ii) Place the item in the corrugated box ensuring all voids are filled

iii) Seal the box with BOPP tape. Ensure H-Taping is done

Packaging Process For Fragile Items

1. Packaging Process: Preparing the item

Wrap the fragile item in 3-4 layers of bubble wrap or foam sheet. It prevents stretches and provides cushioning to the product.

2. Packaging Process: Packaging the item in the box

i) Layer the bottom of the box with void fill material

ii) Place the item in the corrugated box maintaining the gap of 30-50mm from the wall of the box

iii) Fill the box completely and seal the box with BOPP tape

Packaging Process For Apparels

1. Packaging Process: Preparing the item

Ensure the apparel without any additional box packaging is packed in a branded polybag

Check the condition of the box in which the apparel is packed

Case 1: Flexible primary packaging
Case 2: Rigid/box type primary packaging

2. Packaging Process: Packaging the item in the box

Place the packed apparel in a branded LDPE polybag

Case 1: Final packaging of the flexible product

Place the box in a corrugated box

Case 2: Final packaging of the Rigid/box type product

Seal the LDPE polybag
Seal the seams using BOPP tape

Packaging Process For Fashion Accessories

1. Packaging Process: Preparing the item

Check the product packaging condition

Wrap the product box in the bubble wrap

2. Packaging Process: Packaging the item in the box

i) Choose a sturdy 3-ply corrugated box

iii) Seal the box with BOPP tape

iv) Place the sealed box in a LDPE polybag*
ii) Place the item in the corrugated box ensuring all voids are filled

Packaging Process For Liquid Items

1. Packaging Process: Preparing the item

Seal the bottle opening to avoid leakage. Use tapes and shrink films

Pack the product in the leak proof polybag

2. Packaging Process: Packaging the item in the box

Choose a sturdy 3-ply corrugated box

Seal the box with BOPP tape
Wrap the item in the bubble wrap and place it in the corrugated box ensuring all voids are filled. Choose the appropriate size of the box

• For liquid items in fragile containers, add extra layers of cushioning. Adopt the method discussed for fragile items to securely place the item in the box

Packaging Process For Books and Stationery

1. Packaging Process: Preparing the item

Check the product condition
Wrap the product in the bubble wrap

2. Packaging Process: Packaging the item in the box

i) Choose a sturdy 3-ply corrugated box

iii) Seal the box with BOPP tape
ii) Wrap the item in the bubble wrap and place it in the corrugated box ensuring all voids are filled. Choose the appropriate size of the box

The Final Checklist

The Box

• The box is sturdy with no damage
• The box is not bulging out
• No rattling sound of item when shaken
• No wetness on the box

Final Checks

Packing

• Correct the box size if bulging out
• Provide sufficient void fills to avoid movement of item

Labelling

• The label is not over any seams
• The label is not over any edges
• The barcodes are readable and are on the flat single surface
• Essential data is visible on the shipment label
• Special handling labels are visible

Sealing

• The tape joins the seams intact
• No gaps at the seams
• H-taping is done for secondary packages

Thank You

support@indiabuyon.in