Ask anyone who handles parcels for a living and they will tell you the same thing: the journey is rarely the problem. A parcel is lifted, stacked, slid and lifted again a dozen times between a home in Lucknow and a doorstep in Bengaluru. If the packing cannot take that, the contents will not either. This guide covers what we tell customers at pickup, so you can get it right before we arrive.
Start with the right box
Reuse is fine, but a carton that has already made one trip has lost some of its strength. Look for a double-wall corrugated box with no crushed corners, no tears and no old labels or barcodes that could confuse a sorter. The box should be slightly larger than the item so there is room for cushioning on every side, but not so large that the item can move.
Shoe boxes, gift boxes and thin single-wall cartons are not courier boxes. They collapse under the weight of other parcels stacked on top.
Cushion every side
The rule is simple: nothing inside the box should touch the box. Wrap the item, then fill the gaps. Bubble wrap, crumpled newspaper, foam sheets and air pillows all work. Aim for at least five centimetres of cushioning between the item and each wall. Once packed, close the box and shake it gently. If you hear or feel movement, add more filling.
Wrap items individually
If you are sending several things in one carton, wrap each one separately. Two items wrapped together will rub against each other for the whole journey. Hard items and soft items should not share a box unless the hard item is well wrapped.
Seal it properly
Use wide packing tape, at least 48 mm, and apply it in an H pattern: along the centre seam and along both edge seams, top and bottom. Cellotape, masking tape and string are not enough. For heavier boxes, add strapping or a second layer of tape around the box in both directions.
Label clearly, and twice
Write the receiver's full name, complete address with pin code and a working mobile number on the top of the box in block letters. Write the sender's name and phone number too. Then put a second copy of the address inside the box, on top of the contents, so the parcel can still be delivered if the outer label is damaged. Cover the outer label with clear tape so it does not smudge in rain.
Fragile items need more than a sticker
A "fragile" label is a request, not a guarantee. For glass, ceramics, electronics and framed pictures, use the double-box method: wrap the item, place it in a snug inner box with cushioning, then place that inner box in a larger outer box with another layer of cushioning all round. Framed glass should have a cross of tape across the glass face so that, if it does break, the pieces stay in place.
Liquids, food and things that leak
Check with us before sending liquids; many are not accepted by courier. If a liquid is accepted, the container must be sealed with tape around the cap, placed in a sealed plastic bag with absorbent material, and packed upright. Packaged, sealed, shelf-stable food travels well; homemade food generally does not, and is not accepted for international shipping to most countries.
Documents
Put documents in a plastic sleeve, then in a stiff envelope or a document pouch. Certificates and originals should be backed with card so they cannot fold. Never send an original that you have no copy of without telling us what it is.
Weight and dimensions matter for price
Courier charges are based on the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is length × width × height in centimetres, divided by 5000. A large, light box can cost more than a small, heavy one. Choose the smallest box that lets you cushion properly, and tell us the size when you book so the quote is accurate.
A quick checklist before pickup
- Double-wall carton, undamaged, old labels removed
- Item wrapped, box filled, no movement when shaken
- H-pattern tape on both ends
- Address, pin code and phone on top, copy inside
- Contents list and value ready for the receipt
- Nothing prohibited inside (cash, jewellery, inflammables, loose batteries)
If you are not sure how to pack something, send us a photo on WhatsApp before pickup. It takes a minute and saves a claim. To book a pickup anywhere in Lucknow, see our courier service in Lucknow page or request a quote.
