UPS: How To Prepare for Shipping

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Use a Corrugated Box

2. Provide Internal Protection

3. Close Your Container Securely

4. Use Proper Labelling

Step 1. Use a Corrugated Box

Whenever possible, use a new box. The more times a box is used, the more it loses its original protective qualities, so a previously used box may not adequately protect your shipment.

If you must reuse a box, make sure it is rigid and in excellent condition with no punctures, tears, rips, or corner damage, and that all flaps are intact. Remove any labels and all other shipment markings from the box.

Choose a box strength that is suitable for the contents you are shipping. Weight limits printed on the Box Maker's Certificate (found on the bottom flap of most boxes) are intended for palletised freight shipments, not for shipments through small parcel carrier environments. Following the UPS Box Strength Guidelines will help ensure your package is of adequate strength to provide sufficient protection.

Engineers at the UPS Package Design and Test Lab have developed specifications for box strength after years of testing and analysis. Refer to the chart below to aid you in determining the proper size and maximum gross weight limit of a box.

UPS Single-Wall Box Strength Guidelines


Single-Wall Corrugated Fibreboard


Maximum Weight of Box and Contents (lb/kg)	Size Limit of Box Length, Width and Depth Added (inch/cm) *	Minimum Bursting Test (lb per sq. inch/kg per sq. cm)	Minimum Edge Crush Test (ECT) (lb per inch/kg per cm width)


30/13.6	75/190.5	200/14.1	32/5.7


40/18.1	75/190.5	200/14.1	40/7.1


50/22.7	85/215.9	250/17.6	44/7.9


65/29.5	95/241.3	275/19.3	55/9.8


80/36.3	105/266.7	350/24.6	N/A

UPS Double-Wall Box Strength Guidelines


Double-Wall Corrugated Fibreboard


Maximum Weight of Box and Contents (lb/kg)	Size Limit of Box Length, Width and Depth Added (inch/cm) *	Minimum Bursting Test (lb per sq. inch/kg per sq. cm)	Minimum Edge Crush Test (ECT) (lb per inch/kg per cm width)


60/27.2	85/215.9	200/14.1	48/8.6


80/36.3	95/241.3	275/17.6	51/9


100/45.4	105/266.7	350/24.6	61/10.9


120/54.4	110/279.4	400/28.1	71/12.7


140/63.5	115/292.1	500/35.2	82/14.6


150/68	120/304.8	600/42.2	N/A

The above box strengths are only guidelines to help assure the containment and protection of products transported through single-package distribution environments. They are not to be considered packaging specifications, and all packaged products should be tested in accordance with the International Safe Transit (ISTA) Test Procedure 3A to ensure the most appropriate level of product protection is achieved. *Note: Maximum size limit specified on the Box Maker's Certificate and the box strength guidelines chart is NOT the same as the UPS combined length and girth measurement. Calculate the maximum box size by adding the length, width and depth dimensions of the box together.

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