UPS: My Packaging

Make sure you:

Use a rigid box with flaps intact
Remove any labels, Hazardous Materials indicators, and other shipment markings from the box
Wrap items separately
Use adequate cushioning material
Use strong tape designed for shipping
Do not use string or paper over-wrap
Use a single address label that has clear, complete delivery and return addresses
Place a duplicate address label inside the box

Step-by-Step

1. Use a corrugated box
Use a new or almost new corrugated box. The more a box is used, the more it loses its original protective qualities and 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. Shoeboxes, gift boxes, or other paperboard boxes are not recommended. Remove old address labels, Hazardous Materials indicators such as diamond labels and markings, as well as delivery markings and bar codes from the previous shipment. UPS recommends choosing a box strength that is suitable for its contents based on the UPS Box Strength Guidelines. Never exceed the maximum gross weight limit for the box, which is printed on the Box Maker´s Certificate on the bottom flap of most boxes. After years of testing and analysis, engineers at the UPS Professional Services^TM Package Lab have developed box strength specifications for single-package distribution.

2. Provide internal protection
It´s important to provide adequate cushioning for package contents.
Wrap each item separately. Fragile articles* need suitable separation from each other and from the corners, sides, top, and bottom of the box. Each item should be surrounded by at least two inches (5.08 cm) of cushioning and be placed at least two inches (5.08 cm) away from the walls of the box. This will prevent product-against-product damage and protect the contents from shock and vibration, which can pass from the outside of the box to the contents. Proper cushioning material, combined with a strong outer container, will protect your shipment. Use enough cushioning material to ensure that the contents cannot move when you shake the box. The following materials can be used for cushioning and protection:

Air-encapsulated plastic (bubble pack)

Designed to protect and cushion lightweight items
Use multiple wraps/layers to ensure product is completely protected, especially corners and edges

Inflatable packaging (air bags)

Used primarily as void-fill material for lightweight items
Can be preformed to provide proper cushioning performance for specific products
Extreme hot or cold temperatures may affect the ability to provide adequate product protection
Not recommended for items with sharp corners or edges

Expanded polystyrene "peanuts"

Used primarily as void-fill material for lightweight items
Overfill the box with peanuts, then gently close the flaps and seal
Due to the shifting and settling properties of peanuts, it is recommended that a minimum of three inches (7.62 cm) of cushioning be used around the contents
Not recommended for use with flat, narrow, or dense products that may migrate to the edge or bottom of the carton during transit
It is recommended that flat pieces of corrugated fiberboard be used to help prevent content migration through the peanuts

Engineered foam enclosures

Preformed for specific products for proper cushioning performance
Materials may include expanded polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, or copolymers

Foam-in-place (a foam, sprayed into the box or mixed in packets, that expands and forms a protective mold around contents)

Provides good cushioning when foam is evenly distributed around the contents
Select appropriate density of foam to meet packaging needs, which can range from void-fill application to high-performance cushioning.

Corrugated board

Laminates together to form blocks or pads, which are useful for blocking and bracing items inside the box
Die-cuts, slits, or scores to form trays, partitions, or liners to increase package strength, improve performance, or separate items from each other within the package
Not recommended for fragile items.

Non-newspaper paper cushioning (multilayered paper padding)

Excellent for void fill
Ideal for wrapping medium-to-large-sized, non-fragile items and those that may require moisture absorption.

Non-newspaper crumpled kraft paper

Used primarily as a void-fill material for light-to-medium-weight, non-fragile items and items that are suitable for such packing materials
To enhance performance, it is recommended that the paper be tightly crumpled
Use at least four inches of paper around and between the contents
Ensure that there is at least four inches (10.16 cm) of packing on all six sides of the box
Clothing, blankets, and pillows are not proper cushioning materials

3. Close it securely
Proper closure is just as important as adequate cushioning.
To close a box securely, apply three strips of tape to both the top and bottom of the box, so the middle and two edge seams are sealed. Use a strong tape such as the types described below:

Pressure-sensitive plastic or nylon-reinforced tape

Use a tape at least two inches (5.08 cm) or more in width
Generally, the easiest, most convenient tape to use. It is versatile because it will adhere without water and can stick to a variety of surfaces and shapes

Water-activated reinforced tape

Use 60-pound grade tape at least three inches (7.62 cm) wide
Reinforced fibers in the tape provide additional strength, making it less susceptible to splitting or tearing.

Caution: Adhesion to the container may be affected by elements such as high humidity, wetness of tape, or dust.

Do not use masking, cellophane, duct, or water-activated paper tapes; also, do not use string or paper over-wrap.

4. Use proper labeling
For timely and accurate delivery, keep these points in mind when labeling your package.

Always include the receiver´s ZIP Code with the complete address. For international shipments, include a contact name, telephone number, and postal code.
Make every effort to obtain a street address. If you do use a P.O. Box address, the recipient´s telephone number must be included on the label. A package addressed to a P.O. Box may experience delays and will not be covered by any UPS Service Guarantee. An Address Correction charge also will apply. Army Post Office (APO) and Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses are not accepted by UPS.
Include the suite, apartment, or unit number, if applicable. Failure to do so may subject the shipper to an Address Correction charge.
Place the shipping label on the top of the box. To avoid confusion, place only one address label on the box. If using a packing slip, place it on the same surface of the box as the address label.
Do not place the label on a seam, edge, closure, or on top of sealing tape.
Remove or cross out old labels or markings.
Always include your complete return address, including full street address and ZIP Code. For international shipments, include a contact name, telephone number, and postal code.
Place a duplicate label or other form of address information inside the package

Note: If using a mailing tube, place the label horizontally, with the sides of the label pointing toward the ends of the tube, so the bar code can be scanned. If labeling an irregularly shaped item, make sure the label is placed on a flat surface to allow for scanning.

Note: UPS does not provide special handling for packages with "Fragile", package orientation (e.g., "UP" arrows or "This End Up" markings), or any other similar such markings.

*Fragile objects -- such as electronics, glass, ceramics, and artwork -- may require special packaging for safe shipment; these packages may require added cushioning or a double box. For assistance with packing fragile objects, contact the UPS Professional Services Package Lab.