There are times when a business owner like you would want to ship valuable items to your partners or customers. However, such a feat is not as straightforward as you would like to. For one, damages to these expensive goods are common especially if you do not pack your cargo properly. The loss and theft of high-valued packages during transit are also becoming more prevalent in the industry.

Fortunately, there are ways that would help you prevent such concerns from happening. Read on to learn the 5 important considerations when shipping valuable items from point A to point B.

5 Essential Tips on How to Ship Valuable Items

1. Use the Right Packaging Container

There are some high-value items, such as large electronics, furniture, and instruments, that do not need a separate container for shipping. Most of the time, though, expensive cargo requires sturdy packaging material to protect it from irreversible damages. And depending on the nature of the said item, it can either be put inside a crate or box.

For instance, small to medium-sized goods (camera equipment, chinaware, designer clothing, electronic gadgets, jewelry, etc.) should be properly packed in a box. Other large items such as artworks and sculptures would stay safe and untouched inside crates. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the differences and qualities to look for a box and a crate.

Box – Boxes are the most commonly used packaging material for shipping valuable items. It should be made of corrugated cardboard to ensure durability and resistance to crushing or breaking from the often harsh transit process. As such, new boxes are the best for delivering valuable items as they are still in perfect condition. However, used boxes can also hold up well as long they are rigid and don’t show any signs of cracks, missing flaps, and weak spots.

Most boxes would also have a print at the bottom which indicates their weight limit. Make sure to check this part before packing your expensive cargo.

Crate – Well-built crates provide the best protection for your expensive items that are particularly heavy and oddly shaped. Look out for export crates that have already received a “bug stamp” which certifies that they comply with International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM-15) and can cross both national and international borders without a problem.

2. Pack Each Item Properly

No matter which type of container you have chosen when shipping your valuable items, you would still need to properly pack each one in order to keep your cargo more secure.

Start by putting the product in the right position. For instance, place sculptures upright to minimize the risk of damage while it’s best to lay down pieces of jewelry in a flat position. After storing your items properly, you should then proceed to wrap them by using the ideal cushioning materials for extra protection.

Bubble wrap – This is probably the most popular cushioning material used when shipping valuable items. It can effectively protect delicate cargo such as artworks and glass. For maximum protection, opt to wrap your high-valued items in layers of bubble wraps.
Corrugated liner – This is another commonly used cushioning material that is designed to withstand shock and stress during the delivery of valuable items. As such, it can provide extra strength and protection to the packaging container.
Crumpled packing paper – Its main purpose is to fill in empty spaces found in hollow objects such as expensive vases and glasses. However, this cushioning material is not the best for absorbing shock and vibration which can damage your high-value items during transit.
Foam packing peanuts – This cushioning material is a relatively inexpensive way to protect your valuable items for shipping. It acts as a soft cushion when pressed thus effectively withstanding bounce, shock, and vibration.

Foam Sheets – Often used to line boxes and crates, this is a packaging material that offers soft but tough cushion which can ultimately absorb shock.

Once packing and cushioning are done, make sure to gently shake the box. This would help you assess whether your valuable cargo is capable of withstanding great stress while in transit. For instance, if items still shift inside the container, it just means that you need to add more cushioning.

3. Secure Your Valuable Cargo

Now that you’re confident about the packaging of your high-value products, it’s time to seal everything properly.

If you’re using a box to ship your valuable items, use thick packaging tape and make sure to wrap it around the delicate areas of your container. Want extra protection? You can try adding another layer of bubble wrap outside the box then securing it properly with tape.

When securing high-value cargo inside a crate, you would need to use a different approach depending on the type of crate that you have. For instance, steel and aluminum crates (ideal for large and expensive items such as machinery) usually come with latches and metal connectors that keep them closed during transportation. Wooden sheathed crates, on the other hand, require many boards (cleats) to be added on the lumber. This would strengthen and provide support for particularly heavy industrial or military equipment.

Additional Tip: Don’t forget to label the packaging container as “fragile.” This lets the courier company know that they are handling highly valued cargo, thus reducing the risk of damage.

4. Choose a Reliable Courier Company

Unfortunately, there would be times that no matter how carefully you have packed your valuable items, you would still end up with a damaged (or worse, lost!) cargo. This is due to the fact that some courier companies are not qualified or experienced enough to handle such high-value goods.

So if you really want to ensure your valuable packages arrive safely at its intended destination, it’s best to stick with highly-experienced and reliable courier companies. However, with so many businesses in the market nowadays, it could be difficult to choose only one. To make the job easier, you should look out for its reputation in the industry as well as its customer service experience. When you take such considerations in mind, you’re on your way to finding the courier company that best fits your needs.

5. Insure Your High-Valued Package

By law, courier companies are required to provide cargo insurance for all their deliveries. However, the amount of compensation you can get is so small compared to the actual cost of your items. And while it’s not required to get insurance for your packages, you should treat your valuable cargo differently.

Make it a point to insure your expensive items when shipping them from point A to point B. Doing so protects your goods from damages or loss caused by collision with physical objects, deliberate destruction, natural calamities, and theft. This would ultimately help you avoid financial loss.

ALSO READ: 6 Tips to Packing Fragile Items for Shipping

When shipping valuable items, you would face a lot of challenges such as irreparable damages caused by mishandling and loss due to theft. Fortunately, with these important considerations in mind, you can prevent such problems from happening and successfully deliver your high-valued items to their intended destination.

Are you looking for a reliable courier company that is capable of shipping your valuable items safely and quickly? Worklink Services Inc. can provide all of these to you through our range of Dalivery services. With 20 years of experience in the logistics industry in the Philippines, we are committed to providing high-quality courier service for all our customers. Contact us today to get started!

Is this article helpful? Check our logistics blog for more information about shipping your items in the Philippines.