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Packaging that survives the road to Maiduguri
We looked at 40,000 parcels sent outside Abuja this year. Here is what arrived in one piece, and what did not.
Parcels going to zone C states can travel for four days and change vans three times. That is a lot of lifting, dropping and stacking.
The single best change is the right box size. A box with empty space lets the product move and crushes when stacked. Fill the space with paper.
Poly mailers are fine for clothes, but not for anything with corners. Boxes cost a little more and save a lot in refunds.
02Checklist
Do these this week.
- 01
Right size box
No empty space.
- 02
Fill the gaps
Kraft paper, not air.
- 03
Tape properly
Three strips, 48 mm.
- 04
Double wrap glass
Bubble then paper.
- 05
Photo before sealing
We do it for every parcel.
Tape matters. Two strips across the opening and one along the seam. Our packers use 48 mm tape on every box.
Glass needs two layers: bubble around the item and paper around the bubble. Mark it fragile, and expect it to be dropped anyway.
04In pictures
From the hub.
05Questions
Sellers asked.
Do you charge for packaging?
At cost from the packaging shop, or free if you supply your own.
Can you repack my supplier's boxes?
Yes, for ₦150 a unit.
Who pays for damage in transit?
We do, if we packed it and it was damaged on our network.
Want help planning?
Your account manager can plan peak stock with you.