Packing multiple products within the same box can help cut down on packaging materials and save you money. However, there is a risk involved. There could be accidental impacts which can lead to scratches, crushing, or spills/leaks. The way you pack your products is important to ensure that your shipment arrives safely.

Before selecting a box to use, lay out all of your products as if they were going to ship. Take note of the dimensions, weights, shapes, and durability of each product. Not all containers are designed to accommodate multiple products. Choose a box with enough cushioning (padding) to protect the products, but avoid making the box too large.

The largest/heaviest product(s) should always go on the bottom. When the box is rolled over, this protects the lighter products. Make sure that the bottom product rests flat, and does not tilt. If the bottom product is square and has sharp edges, cover those edges with padding so that they don’t puncture the sides of the box.

When using a single box for multiple shipments, fragile items such as glassware should always be placed away from the outside walls of the box. In addition to keeping these products separated by a buffer of some sort (such as bubble wrap), make certain they do not come into contact with each other. Two glass objects can both chip/break if they collide during transit. Each object should be wrapped individually prior to being packaged in the same box.

Dividers should be used when shipping individual units that have specific requirements for their placement. For example; a cardboard divider may be used to maintain an upright position for a bottle, jar or small box. The divider should fit snugly, but not be too tight. If it shifts during transport, additional reinforcement should be made available to prevent this from happening again.

Soft items should never be placed adjacent to sharp objects or potentially contaminated products. Fabric products such as clothing should not be placed next to a metal edge, loose tools or a potential leaking product. A plastic bag may provide sufficient protection for fabrics, preventing contamination/damage due to liquids.

Caps/Lids should be inspected upon receipt of liquid products to determine if they are secure/tight prior to placing said products close to other products.

Any open voids within the box should be filled with some type of filler/support so that the entire shipment does not shift back and forth. Support should be provided below, above and/or along the sides of the products being shipped. Avoid applying excessive pressure to fill all of the voids. Excessive pressure can compromise the integrity of the products being shipped or cause the walls of the box to bulge outward.

Once the flaps are closed on the box, give it a gentle shake in various directions. Listen for any shifting/knocking sounds within the box. Check the weight distribution throughout the box by lifting it and shaking it gently. If you hear any noises or detect any unevenness in weight distribution, open the box and adjust accordingly. While a silent package is no guarantee of safe travel, it does indicate that most likely all of your products are secured properly.

Consideration should be given to how the recipient plans to access/open their shipment. Be aware of placing fragile items directly under seams where knives/scissors may penetrate. Organize your products in such a manner that allows easy removal of each product without disturbing any other product. Proper organization also provides an opportunity to verify that all items included in the original shipment have been received correctly.

While shipping boxes can assist in reducing excess packaging materials, having a plan in place ensures that all products receive adequate protection during transportation.