Confirm that delivery is actually required
Do not package an item until the buyer’s collection or delivery instructions are clear. Bulky screens, appliances and fitness equipment may need a specialist collection rather than a parcel network. The carrier’s current size, weight, battery and compensation rules take priority over a generic packing guide.
Ask who is responsible for booking the service, what evidence is required and whether the item must travel in its original box. A beautifully packed parcel can still be refused if it exceeds the carrier’s limits.
Choose an outer box that matches the weight
Use a rigid, undamaged box with enough room for protective material on every side. Original fitted packaging is useful when it remains dry and structurally sound. A thin retail box on its own is rarely enough for a courier network.
For a heavy item, use a double-walled box rated for the load. Reinforce the base before placing anything inside. Avoid building a parcel from several small boxes held together with loose tape.
Stop movement inside the parcel
Wrap the item in a clean protective layer, guard fragile edges and add enough cushioning that it cannot move when the sealed box is gently shifted. Keep plugs, stands, controllers and chargers from striking the main casing or screen.
Bag accessories separately and label them if there are several similar cables. Do not place a heavy power adaptor on top of a laptop display or a controller against a headset lens.
Protect screens, lenses and polished surfaces
Never place adhesive tape directly on a display, lens or coated surface. Use a clean, non-abrasive layer and spread pressure across a rigid guard. Marking the box as fragile does not replace internal protection.
For laptops, make sure nothing is trapped between the keyboard and display. For cameras, fit body and lens caps. For the projector quotation page, record the lens condition and accessories before packing, then protect the lens from direct pressure.
VR headsets need clean lens protection
Remove loose controllers and protect them separately. Do not allow a cable, battery pack or controller to rub against the lenses. Keep the face interface clean and dry, but avoid strong cleaning chemicals that could damage plastics or coatings.
Before packaging a VR headset, remove personal accounts, factory reset it using current manufacturer guidance and photograph the headset, controllers, charger and any visible wear.
Small music players are easy to overpack badly
An older iPod may seem robust, yet a loose charging cable or plug can scratch the screen throughout transit. Use a soft sleeve, add firm cushioning around the device and keep the charger in a separate bag. The iPod quotation page asks for generation, storage, battery behaviour, screen condition and accessories.
Do not send wired earphones as included accessories unless they are clean and genuinely part of the sale.
Drones need an inventory before the box is closed
List the aircraft, controller, batteries, charger, propellers, guards, cables and case. Remove loose propellers if the manufacturer recommends it, and protect the gimbal and camera using the proper cover. Do not improvise a clamp that presses on the mechanism.
Damaged lithium batteries need special caution and may be prohibited by the carrier. Record battery condition when using the drone quotation page, then check the delivery service’s current rules before booking.
Lithium batteries have separate restrictions
Many phones, laptops, watches, cameras, drones and controllers contain lithium batteries. Carriers can restrict spare batteries, damaged batteries and certain routes. Never post a swollen, punctured, leaking or overheated battery simply because it fits inside the parcel.
Keep battery terminals protected and follow the carrier’s packing instructions. If the item cannot be shipped safely, agree another handover method.
Seal, label and document the parcel
Use strong parcel tape across the main seams, remove old barcodes and attach the new label flat. Do not wrap the whole box in glossy household film that prevents labels sticking or hides damage.
Photograph the item, the first protective layer, the internal cushioning and the sealed package. Retain the weight, dimensions, tracking number and proof of acceptance. These photographs should show sensible preparation, not a staged reconstruction after a problem occurs.
Run a final movement check
Close the box temporarily and move it gently. If you can hear or feel the item shifting, add or rearrange cushioning. Check that corners are firm, the base is not bowing and no accessory can press against a fragile surface.
The item photography guide helps you record condition before the parcel hides it. Keep those original images with the delivery record.