You can overcome all the difficulties of shipping odd-size packages by getting everything in place before you launch the transportation process.
What are odd-shaped and sized items?
Oddly shaped and sized items don’t fit into a regular rectangular packaging crate, thus creating some additional challenges in preparation for shipping. Long, circular, or cylindrical units require you to find the optimal packaging method and consider the opportunity to stack them safely. Pointed items need even more packing chores to prevent the sharp pieces from breaking or harming other objects.
No matter how oddly shaped your products are, they can be delivered securely and conveniently. Follow the simple steps of proper packaging and shipment preparation to get a positive logistics experience.
How to ship oddly shaped items?
Shipping odd size packages may seem challenging due to increased requirements you face during preparation. However, there are many ways to facilitate the process of unusual items transportation.
Get accurate measurements
When preparing to ship irregular items, try to be precise regarding their measurements. The more accurate dimensions data you get, the easier it’ll be to identify the best packaging method and a suitable shipping mode. After measuring and weighing your objects, you’ll understand how much space you need to locate the load and what transport units fit you.
Getting accurate items’ measurements significantly contributes to the affordability of your shipment. If the data you provide matches your products’ characteristics, be sure to get a correct quote from the carrier. Besides, accurate information will keep you from additional expenses in the logistics process.
Choose reliable packaging
Proper packaging is probably the most critical point in successful odd-size items shipping. As long as you can safely pack your unusually shaped items, they won’t get damaged during transit and lose their original appearance and features. Experts recommend using sturdy cardboard boxes, wooden or plastic crates, and multi-layer boxes for better protection.
Since your items can have atypical structures or contain fragile elements, applying packaging fillers and wraps is vital to secure them. The wide variety of void fillers (bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foams, airbags, etc.) will take up the extra space inside the box and provide the necessary cushion to diminish the effects of shacking and vibration.
Sealing and waterproofing
Applying sealing and waterproofing as the final stages of the packaging procedure is highly effective. By sealing your boxes tightly, you’ll prevent the loss of separate parts of the item and prevent them from contacting other objects. Waterproofing, in its turn, can save your products from the outcomes of unpredictable weather conditions or water condensate that sometimes forms in terms of long-distance shipments.
Label your packages correctly
Labeling is the simplest way to share essential information about your cargo without necessarily unpacking it multiple times. Try to label your packages properly so that the tag always remains visible and includes crucial characteristics of the contents. Some labels transmit valuable data through symbols (i.e., fragile pieces), thus signaling how carriers would handle the items.
In addition, your shipping labels may contain short instructions on the items’ handling. It considerably facilitates loading/unloading or rearranging the packages since the carrier already knows what kind of cargo they’re operating.
Palletize your shipment
Irregular cargo often comes in oversized items, usually heavier than other units and requiring additional physical support during shipment. You can solve this issue by palletizing your load. This packaging technique is known for keeping your boxes, stopping them from shifting inside the truck and distributing the cargo weight evenly.
Wooden or plastic pallets considerably simplify handling oddly sized items during loading and unloading. Since much of the logistics equipment adapts to shipping pallets, moving your packages from one place to another won’t be an obstacle.
Consider freight insurance
Getting freight insurance is desirable when shipping cargo of high value. Oversized and oddly shaped items are usually more expensive, but they’re also easier to damage in transportation. So, securing your products with freight insurance seems reasonable.
After arranging a shipment with a particular carrier service, you’ll receive the carrier liability, ensuring the safety of transported units on the carrier’s end. However, this document only guarantees reimbursement for the carrier’s fault if the item appears damaged. Full freight insurance will also cover the possibility of freight damage because of numerous independent factors.
Inform your carrier
Maintaining active communication with your carrier is a guarantee of smooth shipment. It’s essential to inform the shipper if you’re going to move oddly sized and shaped items.They can provide suitable capacity and handle unusual cargo properly. If planning to ship odd-size packages via LTL mode, ensure the carrier can place your items appropriately in the truck. Otherwise, you might have a threat of harm or deformation of your items.