Pak Mail Santa Fe

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Shipping Tips

Can I reuse boxes? Yes!

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If you are passionate about the importance of being eco-friendly, then boy have we covered a great topic for you here: reusing Amazon shipping boxes!

At every point in our life, we have reused one thing or another for a completely different purpose. However, there’s a trick to finding out which boxes can be reused for packaging and shipping and which can’t.

First, there are the single lined boxes and double lined boxes, then the packing peanuts and finally, the bubble wrap. Yes, every single time can be reused but you have to carefully inspect them to make sure they are not damaged. So, before you head to your nearest home depot to buy packaging supplies, give this article a read.

Let us help you decide when to reuse supplies, and when it’s smarter not to:

When to Reuse Boxes

You Will Save Money

Why spend money on packing boxes when you have the perfect ones sitting in your home. Inspect the box from every angle and take measurements. With so many deliveries made over the year, you are bound to discover one matching your needs.

You Will Save Time

In order to find the perfect box for shipping, you start with the measurements of the object. Why waste your time with this when you can simply try placing the object in all the boxes you have and then choose the best fitting one!

Going Green

Always be on the lookout to keep boxes handy. No matter what you are ordering, save the box and place them in a dry area. So, now you are saving money, your time and reducing your carbon footprint in the world.

When Not to Reuse Boxes

Broken Boxes

There are single lined boxes and double lined boxes. The latter can be reused even if you find the outer box a little damaged. However, if you find that both cardboard walls are damaged then its better you throw out the box. There’s a possibility the bottom or a single might give out and expose the object inside.

Using Non-Shipping Supplies

Every once in awhile, you get an order and the box is not the right material to be used again. You can’t exactly pack your Louboutins in a plastic bag for shipping. Then there are diaper boxes, cereal boxes and more. These boxes are not at all sturdy and become soft after first use.

Bubble Wrap

Everyone likes to pop those little air pockets. Yes, it’s fun.  No, you cannot use it again. If the bubble wrap doesn’t provide a pillow-y cushion, then you might as well have wrapped your object in a plastic sheet.

Dented Box

A dented box puts pressure on the object. If the flaps are weak and small then when the boxes will be stacked, the top box might put too much pressure on the one at the bottom.

So, now you know when to reuse shipping boxes and which ones would make a sturdy package. Better be on the lookout for every box coming into your house, to see if it can be reused or not.

Shipping Giant Equipment Cross Country

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Shipping giant equipment such as exercise machines, metal armoire, dining tables, etc, can be quite expensive. People usually opt for freight delivery via land, sea or air. Depending on which category your equipment falls into, the delivery can take a minimum of 7 days to maximum 30 days.

Most people, when choosing the freight option for cross-country delivery, either pick air or sea shipping options. Following is a guide that will help you understand how to pack and ship giant equipment cross country:

Shipping Tips

  • Find a company that has its price range based on weight, as well as size. This way, if you pack the equipment tight enough, you will save money on the size.

  • Instead of loading the equipment on your car’s roof, hire a truck, so that it arrives safely to the pickup spot.

  • If the exercise equipment can be broken down into parts, take apart those parts and carry them with you instead of giving it to the shipping company. The lighter the equipment becomes, the easier it will move. Moreover, you will save on the weight.

Protecting the Equipment

You don’t need any plastic wraps or packing peanuts for packing. Large equipment should always be packed light unless it’s an LCD screen or something more delicate.

Before you start packing, tie the machine with bungee cords so that it does not open up accidentally. This will keep the machine secure in its place. Find a box as large as the equipment. Place a wood slate at the bottom to make it hard and secure it with tape. Wrap the equipment in a thin sheet of bubble wrap and then wrap it again in a blanket. Slide the equipment inside the box. Make sure that it’s a perfect fit and not too tight.

Taxes, Tariffs, and Duties

Shipping large equipment cross country such as a treadmill usually costs around $275. In some cases, this amount includes the delivery charges, as well as the tariffs, which are mentioned in the brochure or leaflet provided by the shipping company. The amount is usually charged by the customs when shipping internationally.

Insurance

There are various types of insurance that either covers the entire or part of the cost of the shipment. Whether your shipment is going by air or sea, the insurance policy remains the same, only the circumstances change. Some of these insurance policies include:

  • Basic Liability

  • Carrier Liability

  • Cargo Insurance

The insurance policies offer the following coverage:

  • Free of Particular Average Coverage

  • General Average Coverage

  • Warehouse Coverage

Insurance gives you the ease of mind that in case your equipment is damaged or lost, you will be covered on the cost.

When shipping cross country, it’s important to pick a reliable company that has done such deliveries. When choosing a shipping company, make sure you read their reviews. This will give you a good insight into how they treat their customers and whether their shipments arrive in the right condition and on time or not.