Securely Packing and Shipping Items

Packaging Tips

Accepted Luggage Guidelines

You are responsible for ensuring your shipment is securely packed for safe transit.

We accept a variety of luggage types, including suitcases, double-walled cardboard boxes, rucksacks, duffle bags, holdalls, and freight-approved hard cases for sporting goods.

To ensure the safe handling of your items within our automated network, where they will be loaded and unloaded multiple times, transported between vehicles, and moved through sorting chutes; we cannot accept single-walled cardboard boxes, plastic boxes, plastic bags, laundry bags, bin liners, or similar items.

MIKPT cannot be held responsible for damage to unprotected bags.

SUITCASES, DUFFLES, HOLDALLS AND RUCKSACKS

Protecting Your Luggage for Safe Transit

Hard-shell suitcases vary significantly by manufacturer, so we recommend using a soft-sided suitcase whenever possible. To protect your luggage and its contents from rain, scuffs, and impacts during transit, we strongly advise wrapping your suitcase. Wrapping also helps secure loose handles or straps, reducing the risk of damage.

For holdalls, duffle bags, and rucksacks, full wrapping is essential to prevent straps from getting caught in the automated system. Additionally, if your suitcase has a pull handle, please secure it in place with tape to prevent it from extending and potentially breaking during transit.

BOXES

Packing Guidelines for Boxes

Use sturdy, double-walled cardboard boxes designed to support the weight of their contents. Secure your box by taping across the folded flaps at both the top and bottom, as well as wrapping tape around the entire box from back to front and side to side for added reinforcement.

For extra protection, we recommend applying tape along all seams, as taping only across the flaps is not sufficient. If plastic wrap is available, using it to wrap your box can further strengthen it and shield it from rain during outdoor transit. Additionally, ensure all items inside are securely packed to prevent shifting and potential damage while in transit.

Avoid Overpacking & Strapping Bags Together

To ensure safe handling and transport, do not overpack or strap multiple bags or boxes together.

Our concierge or drivers lift suitcases by their handles, and bags move through sorting chutes during processing. If your suitcase isn't designed to support excessive weight, its handles, wheels, or hard shell may be damaged. If your item is too heavy, consider distributing the weight across two bags instead.

Additionally, please do not strap multiple items together. If they become detached during transit, only the labeled piece will be trackable, increasing the risk of losing the unlabeled item.

Essential Packing Tips for Safe & Secure Shipping

Once you've chosen the right box material and size, there are still important steps to ensure your package is fully protected. Proper packing techniques can further safeguard your shipment, minimizing the risk of damage during transit.

Ensure Maximum Protection with Extra Padding

To keep your items secure, always add extra padding inside your boxes. Once your shipment leaves your house or airport, it's no longer in your hands, and accidents can happen. Boxes may be dropped or shift during transit, but proper cushioning can help prevent damage.

Use materials like packing peanuts, bubble wrap or styrofoam block to create an additional protective layer, reducing movement and absorbing impact.

Protect Your Items with Proper Wrapping

Wrapping your items is another essential step in ensuring they stay safe during shipping. Fragile items, such as glassware, should be wrapped in multiple layers of bubble wrap and securely taped to prevent movement. Given the delicate nature of glass, this extra layer of protection is crucial to minimize the risk of breakage during transit.

Ensure a Secure Fit

After packing your items securely, give the box a gentle shake to check for any movement. While overstuffing can weaken the box, it's equally important to ensure there's no empty space that allows items to shift during transit. If you hear rattling, add more padding to stabilize the contents, but be careful not to overfill the box.

The Importance of Using Sturdy, New Boxes

Corrugated cardboard is a durable, heavy-duty material that can withstand the weight of stacked boxes without losing its integrity. Properly taped seams provide additional protection, preventing the box from tearing or ripping open, even if the cushioning material is compromised. Always use new boxes that are free from holes or tears when packing large items to ensure optimal protection during transit.

Effective Cushioning for Maximum Protection

Proper cushioning around your items significantly reduces the risk of breakage, even if your shipment is mishandled during transit. For enhanced protection, use dense materials like styrofoam or engineered foam enclosures to reinforce the box. Avoid using paper or packing peanuts for large, bulky items, as they compress more easily and offer less reliable protection than sturdier cushioning options.

Maximize Efficiency with Proper Palletizing

Placing a heavy shipment on a pallet to makes it easier to move and transport. However, be sure not to exceed the pallet's weight limit. To ensure stability, position heavier items in the center of the pallet to prevent tilting when it's lifted by a forklift. This helps maintain balance and reduces the risk of damage during transit.

Ensure Stability with Proper Palletizing

An imbalanced pallet is more prone to tipping over, which can lead to potential damage to your shipment. To enhance stability, evenly distribute the weight across the pallet. Once balanced, secure the load with shrink wrap and/or straps. Shrink wrap binds the boxes together into a unified package, providing extra protection.

Apply three to five layers of shrink wrap, twisting it at opposing sides to reinforce the package. To fully secure the shipment, use plastic or fabric webbing straps after wrapping, ensuring the boxes remain tightly bound throughout transit.

Proper Labeling for Easy Identification

Accurate labeling is essential for ensuring your shipment reaches its destination without delays. Clearly label each pallet or box with the full address and contact details of both the consignee (recipient) and the shipper (sender). This includes the name, street address, phone number, and email address, ensuring that all contact information is up-to-date and easily readable.

To make the label easy to locate, place it on the side or top of the pallet or box, where it is visible and accessible. Avoid placing labels on the bottom or edges that may be obscured or difficult to read during handling.

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