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Packages are damaged in transit for a variety of reasons. In some cases, deliveries are handled too roughly or experience too much jostling while en route to their destinations. In others, items are improperly packed and therefore unable to withstand the rougher portions of their journey. While many of these problems are the fault of delivery companies, this isn’t to say that senders bear no responsibility in the matter. So the next time you’re prepping an important shipment for transit, consider ways to combat the following mishaps.
1. Improper Packaging
As any seasoned delivery professional can attest, the right packaging can mean the difference between success and failure. For example, cargo that must be kept at a certain temperature or items that are fragile in nature need to have special attention paid to their packaging. Shock absorbers, shock monitors, cooling packs and cushioning are packaging materials that anyone who regularly ships delicate items should be familiar with. While some freighting companies take responsibility for packing shipments, others leave this task in the hands of clients. When working with a company that will package your shipment for you, make sure they know exactly how fragile the cargo is and inform them of any special considerations that must be taken. When considering how to optimize your supply chain, there’s a lot to be said for proper packaging.
2. Improper Handling
Improper handling can occur for a number of reasons. Sometimes, delivery personnel are unaware of how delicate a package’s contents are. This often results in fragile packages being buried beneath other shipments or stored in areas that are unfriendly to temperature-sensitive cargo. This is why it’s important do your homework before selecting a freighting company. Any company you do business with should have a proven track record of making deliveries in a careful, expedient fashion and taking responsibility for any mistakes that occur along the way.
3. Travel Conditions
In some cases, damaged shipments can be traced directly to perilous travel conditions. For instance, items that are sensitive to rocking or jostling typically don’t do well on bumpy roads or choppy flights. Similarly, items that are temperature-sensitive are likely to incur damage when stored in hot vehicles or warehouses. Before giving your business to a freighting company, do some research on that enterprise’s preferred methods of transport and package storage. Additionally, weather often has a direct impact on travel conditions, so if your shipment is going to an area with less-than-ideal travel conditions, take extra care during the packing phase.
Receiving a delivery that’s been damaged or destroyed in transit can be immensely frustrating. Be it personal or business-related, a damaged package can put a huge damper on one’s day. While the occasional delivery mishap is bound to happen, damaged cargo should not be a common occurrence. Fortunately, senders can nip this issue in the bud by being proactive. A little bit of foresight and outside-the-box thinking can help ensure the safety of future shipments – much to the delight of both senders and recipients.
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