Air Freight Packing Guide: How to Secure Your Shipment for Safe Delivery
Step 1: Identify What You Are Shipping
Before preparing your shipment for air freight, take the time to assess and categorize the items you are sending. Below are the common categories of shipments.
- Documents: Certificates, contracts, legal papers, passports, and other types of papers.
- Non-Documents: Items that fit into a CaPEx pouch, such as small accessories and clothing.
- Solid and Dry & Non-Breakable Cargo: Rice grain, flour, clothes, and other non-fragile dry goods.
- Breakable Cargo: Fragile and delicate items such as artwork, ceramics, appliances, and electronics.
- Fresh and Frozen Foods: Perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy.
- Live Animals: Pets, farm animals, and others that require specialized transport conditions.
Step 2: Assess the Item
After identifying your shipment type, determine its size and weight to ensure compliance with air freight regulations and appropriate packaging selection.
How to Measure Your Shipment:
It’s essential to determine the dimensions of your item accurately. This includes:
- Length: The longest side of the item.
- Width: The shorter side of the item.
- Height: The vertical measurement of the item.
How to Weigh Your Shipment:
After determining the size of the item, the next step is to measure its weight. This is one of the most important aspects of shipping, as weight is one of the factors in determining the shipping cost.
- Use a reliable scale to weigh the item in kilograms (kg).
- If shipping multiple items, weigh them individually or, if appropriate, weigh the entire package.
Step 3: Choose the Right Packaging Materials
External packaging refers to the outer layer that encloses and protects the entire shipment. These can be boxes, pouches, crates, or other containers designed to withstand handling, stacking, and environmental factors.
Internal packaging provides additional protection to the individual items within the external packaging. It helps cushion fragile or delicate products, preventing damage from impact. Common examples include bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam inserts, and air pillows.
| Type | External Packaging | Internal Packaging |
|---|---|---|
| Documents & Non-Documents |
|
|
| Solid, Dry, and Non-Breakable Cargo |
|
|
| Breakable Cargo: |
|
|
| Fresh and Frozen Foods: |
|
|
| Live Animals: |
|
|
Step 4: Seal the Package Properly
Steps to Seal a CaPEx Pouch
1. Open the Pouch
2. Insert the Document
3. Seal the Pouch
4. Check the Closure
Steps to Tape a CaPEx Box
H-taping Method
Assemble the box
Unfold the box and put it into its proper shape
Seal the Bottom of the Box using the H-tape method
Fold the smaller flaps inside, followed by the two larger flaps on top.
1. Place a strip of tape down the center of the bottom flaps of the box.
2. Place two more strips of tape along the edges of the box to form an “H” shape.
Place the Item Inside the Box
Place the item securely inside the box, making sure it
fits comfortably and is well-protected.
Seal the Top of the Box using the H-tape method
Fold the smaller flaps inside, followed by the two larger flaps on top.
1. Place a strip of tape down the center of the top flaps of the box.
2. Place two more strips of tape along the edges of the box to form an “H” shape.
Steps to Crate your Item
1. Use CaPEx Crate services
Take advantage of CaPEx Crate services for secure packaging and shipment. This service is exclusively available for CaPEx shipments.
Close Crate: Intended for cargo primarily made up of delicate and fragile components.
Best For: Extra fragile items like computers, televisions, paintings, and vases.
Skeletal Crate: Specifically designed for cargo with a minimal fragile portion.
Best For: Construction materials, machinery parts, and bulk items that need secure support without full enclosure.
2. Provide your Own Crate
If preferred, you may use your own crate for shipping. Ensure the crate is sturdy, properly sealed, and meets shipping requirements.
Step 5: Label Clearly for Safe Handling
Ensure that you place a handling label on your package according to the specific needs of the item(s) inside. Proper labeling helps prevent damage, ensures safe transportation, and informs handlers of any special care required. Clear and visible labeling minimizes the risk of mishandling and ensures that your package reaches its destination safely and in good condition.
- Do not tilt: Keep the package upright and avoid tilting.
- Do not stack: Do not place any items on top of this package.
- Do not trample: Avoid stepping on or applying pressure to the package.
- Keep dry: Protect the package from moisture and water exposure.
- This side up: Ensure the package remains in the correct upright orientation.
- Fragile: The contents are delicate and may break easily.
- Protect from heat: Keep the package away from high temperatures or direct sunlight.
- Handle with care: Use caution when moving or carrying the package to prevent damage.
For more information and tips on preparing shipments for air transport, visit AITA Tips for Shippers & Freight Forwarders on How to Prepare Cargo for Air Transport. You can also check out the FedEx Blog on Air Freight 101: What You Need to Know About Freight Shipping for additional insights on air freight for additional insights and best practices in air freight shipping.
Reference:
International Air Transport Association. (n.d.). Tips for shippers & freight forwarders on how to prepare cargo for air transport. IATA. https://www.iata.org/en/publications/newsletters/iata-knowledge-hub/tips-for-shippers–freight-forwarders-on-how-to-prepare-cargo-for-air-transport/
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