Packaging Advice

It is recommended that you leave a space of at least 5cm between the outer container and the product inside. This space should be filled with padding of some type, any substance from crumpled newspaper to old pieces of clothing will do.

The following are the most common purpose-made products to be found on the market:

Different types of cushioning are available, from loose "chips", "shreds" and "peanut" shaped materials to rolls of bubbled-plastic sheet.

Loose cushioning is usually made out of very lightweight materials - it's used to fill in corners, keep the articles centred in the container and provide cushioning and shock absorption. It is clean and reusable but can be bulky to store. Most of the fillings available in the market are manufactured from recycled products. Avoid the use of polystyrene, as in many countries it is considered not to be environmentally friendly and it may be forbidden or fined at destination. Vegetable-based and biodegradable materials are preferred.

Many materials found around the house can also be used - old newspapers, shredded clothes, cushion stuffing all make ideal cushioning.

Bubble wrap is made of pockets of air distributed on a plastic film. It provides very good protection to shock, vibration and abrasion, as well as being lightweight and flexible.

When packing items or stacked objects, you should always use dividers, which provide absorption to shocks.

The most frequently used dividers are corrugated cardboard sheets, chipboard sheets, or plain brown "Craft-paper" sheets. Rolls of corrugated carton, cut to size, are excellent for low cost padding. Foam sheets are recommended to wrap up fragile objects.

Please note that DHL will accept no liability for the packaging advice it provides. The customer remains responsible for ensuring packaging is adequate for transportation.

There are some DHL packaging solutions for the protection of your shipments. As your shipment is transported, it may be exposed to adverse environments caused by weather conditions and transport vibrations, so correct packing is vital.

Here are some products you may wish to use to wrap your package optimally:

Whatever other external packaging you use, it is mandatory to enclose your shipments in a standard DHL flyer to facilitate sorting operations throughout our Network.DHL flyers are available in the following sizes:

1. Express Document
documents (A4 size)

2. Express Flyer
Max. weight: 4 kg
documents
small binders
small boxes

3. Large Express Flyer
Max. weight: 5 kg
documents
large binders
flat medium size boxes

Boxes are the most commonly used type of package. The range of sizes and shapes, the different combinations of materials, and the number of accessories available to strengthen and secure them, make boxes the most suitable way to pack your shipments.

If you are shipping wooden boxes, please ensure that the corners are correctly protected and check that the box is not splintered, as this can cause injuries to people handling the boxes.

Wood containers are especially appropriate for shipping heavy items, usually palletised and ready to be machine-handled. Sometimes, heavy-duty double-layered cardboard is a suitable and cheaper alternative to wood.

All packages must be sealed to prevent the contents from falling out. A good seal helps to strengthen your package; however, please be aware that any shipment may be opened for inspection by customs or security authorities while in transit within the DHL Network. In this case, DHL is responsible for re-sealing your package to the highest standards.

Always use strong tapes - DHL recommends polypropylene or vinyl adhesive tape. Avoid the use of cellophane tape, which may be inexpensive but is usually fragile and only appropriate for office use. Other types of tape such as fibre-reinforced paper tapes may also be used.

DHL does not recommend the use of string around your box, as it can cut through the cardboard and damage your package.

When tape is used, it is recommended to close the box by means of 6 strips, as shown in the series of figures below:

If you choose to use reinforced paper tape, the closing of the case can be done with only two strips. Please make sure that the tapes overlap the ends of the box by 80 mm or 32 inches.