Whether you’re an online retailer shipping electronics to customers or you’re moving your office across the country, ensuring the safe transport of sensitive electronics is paramount. We know that your electronics are an expensive investment so we do everything we can to protect them along their journey.
In this blog post, we will detail the best practices for safely shipping electronics, from selecting the right packaging materials to choosing the right shipping service, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.
Preparing Electronics for Shipping
Once you figure out which materials are best for your items, you should disassemble the electronics and secure the parts accordingly. All batteries should be removed as well as securing loose cables and accessories. Many electronics can be disassembled partially, which makes it easier to wrap all parts tightly for a smoother and safer shipping process.
Finally, you’ll need to label your items and document each item. Create an inventory of the packaged components so you know exactly which items go together and how to assemble them correctly. Be sure to clearly label fragile and sensitive items and handling instructions so each person who handles the electronics knows how to do so properly.
Packaging Process
Once you’ve figured out the right shipping materials and deconstructed the electronics as much as possible, it’s time to find the right crating company to package your materials! Most often, it is best to leave the packaging to the professionals, so you can ensure your cargo is packed as safely as it can be and will withstand the bumps along the road.
The right crating partner will be able to place a layer of cushioning material at the bottom of your crate as a first layer of protection, place your electronic item in either anti-static bubble wrap or foam, and place your wrapped item in a vapor barrier bag. After heat sealing the bag, it is crucial to employ a specialized vacuum tool to eliminate all the trapped air within. It is also advisable to include humidity indicator cards in the bag before sealing to enable the recipient of the shipment to discern any potential exposure to excessive humidity.
Then, your crating partner will fill any remaining gaps with foam or other cushioning material, seal the crate with sturdy packaging tape, and finally, attach the shipping label and handling instructions outside the crate to ensure they are readable.
Many times, it is recommended to utilize ramp crates to ensure the movement of electronics goes smoothly. Neglecting caution during the process of moving an item in or out of a container, as well as during transportation via the respective vehicle(s), can result in harmful consequences. Ramp crates help to mitigate the risk involved in moving delicate electronics.
Shock absorbing decks, also known as cushioned or resilient decks, are specialized platforms or structures designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces and vibrations. They are commonly used in various applications to protect sensitive equipment, machinery, or payloads from the damaging effects of shocks and vibrations during transportation or operational activities. Your crating partner may utilize a shock absorbing deck as well to further ensure the safety of your delicate electronics.
Choosing the Right Shipping Service
The last crucial step to safely ship your materials is to choose the right partner to help move your products; it may even be the most important step in this process! Ensuring you have a partner who will listen to your needs and has the right experience to get your electronics delivered safely can be the difference between a great and a poor experience.
Do your research to consider which partners match your needs and your budget and be sure to ask the right questions to make sure you are aligned. For example, it would be worthy to ask prospective partners about their prior experience shipping the types of electronics you have in your shipment to see if you’re comfortable with their level of experience.
If you’re in the market for a shipping partner, contact us and we’ll be happy to talk you through our experience shipping all kinds of electronics!
