Tag: International Shipping

The Best Ecofriendly Supplies for Ecommerce 

Posted on by Lyra

Getting the right types of shipping supplies is important. You want something that ships the items effectively, helps with the transit, and will keep everything safe. As well, you might want something that’s more eco friendly for the items as well.   This is because being ecofriendly is important, as it will help with improving the overall state of your packaging and customer perception. 

You might wonder if there are good items online to buy for this. guess what? There is! Here are a few different ecofriendly packaging supplies to choose from. 

Ecofriendly Products that Work 

There are a few that really stand out when choosing the right supplies for ecommerce businesses. 

Biodegradable mailers are one example. These are mailers that can be broken down, and usually with biodegradable mailers, they tend to be easy to toss away, because they simply break down. It’s simple, effective, and will really shake things up. 

Recyclable cardboard is one example of this too. Many times, cardboard is the best material for the job, but some cardboard isn’t recyclable due to varnishes and glues.   The alternative is a cardboard that you can recycle with no qualms or issues, and it works great for ecofriendly brands. 

Water-based inks are a third one. These are inks that dissolve in water. With water-based inks, you’re able to have a package that’s fully sustainable, and it can be great for ecommerce brands of all kinds, especially if you want to build a product that focuses on sustainability from beginning to end. 

Alternatives to Bubble Wrap 

Bubble wrap is a very common one that you might want to use. But, it suffers from the problem of it being very unsustainable. It’s a plastic, so it will go and break down over time, and that’s a problem.   

The solution? Bubble wrap alternatives. 

Packaging peanuts for instance are one type of way to use an alternative to bubble wrap. But polystyrene isn’t sustainable. So, the solution is to use packaging peanuts made from paper, soy, or plant-based fibers. 

Mushroom packaging is another hot, new thing.   It’s literally made from mushrooms, and could be a good way to use compostable alternatives to regular bubble wrap. 

Some crinkle paper is another. This is also good for composting, because provided there’s no bleaches or dyes on it, it’s sustainable. 

Most of the time, anything plant based that has cellulose in there is a good way to make it work, especially for corrugated and cardboard alternatives. 

It can be a struggle, but there are a lot of different ways to make your ecofriendly packaging sustainable on all fronts. 

More Customers Like This 

Yes, customers do demand sustainable packaging, especially compared to those that are not sustainable. With more and more demand for this, it’s something that you have to consider now.

Many are focusing on the impact their packaging has on things. Plastic is overtaking our landfills, choking our oceans and reefs, and contributing to the global output of greenhouse gasses, which in turn causes problems. That’s why, it’s important for when you’re building packaging to consider those that pride on being ecofriendly.   You owe it to yourself to use this, and more customers are taking charge to reduce their carbon footprint, which is why, starting now you should build a packaging experience that shines, really integrates the customer input that’s needed, and stand out amongst the sea of people that don’t have the normal packaging supplies in place.

Building the best demand possible is important, and with the right sustainable actions, you’re able to give packaging that helps make your business stand out. 

What’s the Best Packaging Materials and Protectors for Fragile Items 

Posted on by Lyra

Packing fragile items is a bit of a challenge for many retailers.   Which is why, in order to make sure that the items survive the transit, you want to use packaging tests to ensure that nothing is amiss. 

Drop tests are one, where you drop it and see how the box is faring. If it’s able to keep its form and shape together, then it’s good. If not, it might need some changes. 

Vibration tests are good too. used for electronics, this tests whether the circuits are intact after being on a humming, vibrating truck or other means of travel.

Finally, environmental stress testing such as extreme heat, cold, humidity, even rain and flood might be used. These will simulate environments where there’s extra stress involved, in order to make it easier for you to get the items together and properly protected. 

Now that you know the tests, what’s the best way to protect your items so that they survive stress tests?  Read on to find out. 

The Effective Cushioning 

A lot of cushioning is super effective for your toes. 

Foam is one example, because they tend to be very strong, and you can make it modular as well. 

Bubble wrap is another one, where you’re able to put it together using bubble wrapping. Though not as sustainable, there are ecofriendly options. It also tends to be the best for vibration resistance too. 

With foam, you also want to choose anti-static foam, which will help reduce the static vibrations from ruining the items. 

Finally, corrugated inserts. Such inserts are made with corrugated materials, and tend to be pretty strong, which are good as well for more sustainable options. 

Designing for protection 

You want to layer the materials in a way where there is immediate cushioning, then a good external cushion. For instance, using bubble wrap around an item directly followed by foam will help to add extra protection. 

This is especially important for odd items. Adding either a corrugated or foam insert then other protections will help to ensure that the protections for those items are possible. 

Balancing Costs and Protections 

One thing to consider when putting together such items is using the right balancing of costs of the items and overall protections. Though it might seem okay to have these lightweight protections, it might not be enough. Too much, and you’re paying extra costs. This is why, when you’re putting together your packaging, don’t be afraid to run tests as well, which will help with seeing the true factors that are in place, and what works for you. 

You want to look into plant-based ones as well, as they also double as being ecofriendly, while also safeguarding the products in place to make this even better for you too. 

The Best Practices 

For most of these, you want to make sure that your packaging is built around the item. 

For instance, antistatic foam is one to use with this, especially for electronics. It will, in turn, make it easier for your protections to be in place. Glass is another one. Having something to wrap around this followed by an external cushion will serve to offer the best protections for your items. 

When you’re building packaging for fragile items, try your best to make it so that they’re protected from all elements. Be mindful of how they’re put together, work on wrapping, and you will, as a result of all of this, build the best packaging protections that you can get, and will, as a result, craft an incredible box that will keep items protected, and customers happy. 

What Labeling do I Need for International Shipments 

Posted on by Lyra

Many of the items that you ship overseas are a little different from regular packaging. They involve different compliance essentials and various documentation that will make it easier for you to get the item to the customer. 

Obviously you have the name and address. You need that to get it anywhere. Another one that you’re going to want to have as well is HS codes, or harmonized system codes which classify goods. These will show the country of origin, where it’s going, the receipt and shipping information, and all other declarations for customs that are needed. 

When shipping to where the EU is, you may want to include the EORI number, known as the economic operators resignation and identification, along with the certification marks that are there. 

This is of course, on top of the barcodes for the items that contain information that’s crucial, the type of service that the packaging might need, such as express or ground, dimensional weight for correct handling and pricing, and special instructions for handling, such as if an item is perishable or fragile, on top of the regular customs declaration for those international shipments you’ve got. 

Different Shippers 

You want to make sure that you choose the right shippers as well. 

UPS and USPS are used in the US for example.   UPS tends to handle bigger, more fragile and expensive shipments, while USPS handles just about everything else. FedEx is used for specialty and other major shipments. 

Many international companies might also use DHL and other carriers. Some might start with a carrier from their country of origin, and then get into the US or destination country.

Some shippers also use different types of codes. UPS for example has more specific diet label dimensions and a very particular type of format for the barcodes, while FedEx might use another type of code requirement. Many times, having the label printing software configured for different carriers and generating the correct label based on a specified shipping method plays a major role. 

Handling Fragile and Restricted Goods 

Many times, you also need to focus on trying to have the right protection in place when shipping. 

Letting the courier know that something is fragile is a good place to start, but accurate labeling also plays a major part.

A bigger issue is usually restricted goods. Certain items can’t come into the country without the right documentation, and if you don’t have that, it’s going to mean major delays and frustrations for both you and customers. Making sure that, should you choose to ship out such items, you have the right documentation in place, will help with the delays and reduce the lead times for such things. it’s important to consider, as the correct labeling and documentation is necessary, not just for local shipping, but on an international level. 

When in Doubt, Use Automated Solutions 

If you’re not sure whether your item needs specific labels, there’s now automated solutions that will help you with generating the correct compliant labels that will ensure the proper documentation for these items. 

Many shipping platforms help with this, and the right compliant labels will make it so that you’re able to improve your experience, and thereby strengthen your company’s shipping practices. 

Overall, if you’re using labeling and documentation to help with making sure that the items remain compliant, you’ll be able to not only get international shipments out the door, but also improve the overall speed of your packaging, from the beginning of the process, all the way to the customer’s door, no matter where it may be.