·>  Use a carton made of high quality corrugated cardboard preferably double walled to ensure strength, durability and protection.

·>  Avoid using a carton more than once as it's strength and therefore the protection it offers is reduced the more times it is handled.

·>  Remove all old labels and barcodes from the package as these may interfere with the delivery technology

·>  Choose the correct size of carton to match the contents. Under-filled boxes are likely to collapse, and over-filled burst open.

·>  Wrap all items separately within the carton with protective cushioning such as bubble wrap.

·>  If the carton is under-filled use padding materials such as polystyrene chips and shredded paper to fill it out.

·>  If possible ensure no items are touching the walls of the carton.

·>  Ensure all the carton is sealed securely with the flaps taped down along the middle and on both ends over the corners.

·>  Seal the carton with strong tape designed for shipping - everyday sellotape is not sufficient.

·>  When putting the carton together use strong staples or tape to ensure the base is secure and will not come open in transit.

·>  Many goods are shipped in the manufacturer's original packaging which is not always suitable for an overnight parcel system.

·>  'Fragile' and 'Handle with Care' labels are no substitute for good packaging - they are for information only.

·>  If you can hear or feel the contents of the carton moving inside then they are not packed properly.