How to pack a parcel for dispatch? A comprehensive guide

Sending all sorts of items, whether as a gift or as an online order, has never been difficult, and the process is constantly being made easier for consumers of all ages and from all over the country. This has been made possible by services such as Paczkomat®, which has become a favourite with many Poles. To find out for yourself – and to be sure that everything has been done correctly – it’s worth reading our guide, which explains step by step how to pack a parcel for dispatch and use a parcel locker. How do you prepare a parcel? How do you pack a parcel without a cardboard box? What are plastic envelopes suitable for? Check out our tips!

Before you start – what’s important to bear in mind before packing a parcel?

When packing parcels for dispatch, you should start by checking the maximum permitted size and weight of the parcel. At InPost For parcels sent via Paczkomat, we distinguish between four parcel sizes. It is also important to bear in mind that The size of the parcel (and therefore its classification into one of the size categories) affects the delivery price. So what sort of parcels can be prepared for transport? We offer our customers a choice of the following sizes:

• XS – a small parcel measuring up to 4 x 23 x 40 cm and weighing up to 3 kg. The mini parcel can only be posted via the InPost Mobile app;
• A – its maximum dimensions may be 8 x 38 x 64 cm, weighing up to 25 kg;
• B – this category covers parcels measuring 19 x 38 x 64 cm, weighing up to 25 kg;
• C – the largest parcels, measuring 41 x 38 x 64 cm, weighing up to 25 kg.

When preparing a parcel, it is not only its dimensions and weight that matter, but also the packaging in which the goods will be transported to the recipient. What should you use to pack the parcel to protect the contents from damage?

One of the best materials is stiff cardboard. One of its advantages is its very low weight, which is particularly important when dealing with heavy parcels. What’s more, it is available in a range of sizes, and therefore to fit the parcel’s dimensions properly. Provided that the items inside are kept safe, this type of packaging also absorbs shocks and protects against falls. To When filling a box, it’s worth using materials such as perforated paper or packing foam.

What do you need to pack a parcel for dispatch?

Anyone wondering how to pack a parcel should also consider how susceptible the item in question is to damage. This will determine the type of box you should choose. It is also worth remembering to provide additional protection for certain items.

Preparing a heavy parcel

You also need to prepare properly for packing a heavy parcel. How do you pack a large parcel so that it reaches the recipient undamaged? In this case, you’ll need a cardboard box made of reinforced paper, designed to safely contain such parcels. A standard cardboard box may suffice, but it is generally intended for sending small items. To When packing heavy parcels, it is best to use thick cardboard, e.g. from a manufacturer of industrial packaging. To make sure it doesn’t tear, The edges should be properly sealed using strong adhesive tape, you can also wrap the parcel in stretch film. What’s more, it’s best to use a new box here too.

Shipping of liquids

Another type of product that is difficult to package is liquids. Liquid cosmetic products should be packaged in flexible, leak-proof sachets. Liquids such as drinks, cosmetics and perfumes It should be placed in a package whose dimensions are as close as possible to the size of the bottle or vial. The cap should be secured with tape or a cardboard band. It is also worth bearing in mind that the maximum bottle capacity, which at InPost is 5 litres of liquid per parcel – in total. If you’re preparing several bottles for dispatch, you can place them in a box with compartments, which will provide extra cushioning to prevent the liquid-filled containers from knocking against one another. This will ensure the parcel reaches the recipient in perfect condition.

You can use an InPost Parcel Locker to send a parcel containing large-volume household cleaning products, such as washing-up liquid, fabric conditioner or bath products. It can also contain food that does not need to be stored at a specific temperature. Please note that the total volume of liquids in a parcel must not exceed 5 litres at any one time, and that the parcel must be properly secured to ensure the liquids are not damaged during transit.

Transport of other types of items

The other items are much easier to prepare for transport. For example, documents should be placed in a cardboard envelope, which will protect them from damp and being crumpled. Large paper posters, maps or designs still need to be placed inside a cylindrical tube made of reinforced cardboard. To For small items, you can use a plastic bag, a paper bag or a bubble-wrap envelope – This makes it easy to send items such as clothes, for example.

Send your parcel

Paczkomat or courier? Choose your favorite way to send a parcel!

With InPost, you send it your way – by courier, via Paczkomat, label-free, or right in the mobile app. No matter what you choose, your parcel will arrive fast and safe!

Preparing the item for packing

It’s worth providing extra protection for any item you’re sending to prevent damage by wrapping it a material that minimises the risk of bruises and grazes. Bubble wrap or slotted paper are tried-and-tested, effective methods. If it is long and wide enough, you can wrap the parcel in it several times. If necessary – that is, if there is too much of it – you can also cut it to the required size.

A well-fitting piece of polystyrene is also an excellent substitute. Unfortunately, it is not possible to shape its surface yourself. However, it is possible that the polystyrene moulded to the shape of the item, which came with the original packaging, protected the item inside the box and can be reused. It is precisely for this reason that it is not worth throwing away this sort of protective packaging immediately after unpacking a newly purchased product.

What’s more, so that the parcel reaches the recipient undamaged, you will also need to prepare the box itself. Before posting, you should tape up the openings at the top and bottom in the centre of the box. If the items you are posting are heavy, it is best to pack them in a thicker, sturdier cardboard box.

Keep things safe: securing your belongings

Even the most durable and best-protected box will not be entirely safe if the goods inside shift during transport. For this reason, Filling materials play an important role. How should I pack a parcel for dispatch by courier or via a parcel locker? To do this, the product should be surrounded by one of the following packing materials:

• bubble wrap;
• foam sheets;
• skropak;
• bubble wrap;
• bundles of grey paper;
• perforated paper;
• wood wool;
• airbags.

Using crumpled paper is a great way to fill empty spaces in a cardboard box. When poured inside, it will fill the entire box whilst moulding itself to the shape of the item being sent. Paper fillers, such as shredded paper, bubble wrap or crumpled paper, are perfect they will fill the space in the parcel and prevent the contents from shifting around inside the box.

However, as well as using packing material, it is very important to choose a box that fits the size of the items. There is no point in packing small items into a large box. A suitably sized box with padding will mean there is room for more parcels in the courier van, and the parcel’s dimensions will also be smaller. The smaller the dimensions, the lower the cost of posting the parcel.

How do I address and post a parcel?

A parcel sent via InPost should have an address label affixed in a visible place (this is not necessary for items sent without a label). It contains essential information, without which the parcel will not be delivered or returned. If a Parcel Locker has been selected as the collection point, these are:

• recipient details reduced to a minimum;
• the last 4 digits of the telephone number;
• the recipient’s email address;
• a Data Matrix code containing the consignment number;
• summary details of the sender;
• Space for the sender’s comments.

If a parcel has been posted via the Parcel Manager and is to be delivered by a courier, the label will contain the following information:

• all relevant customer details – first name, surname, address, telephone number and email address;
• the sender’s full personal details and contact details;
• datamatrix code;
• a field for any comments from the sender.

The label is generated automatically; when posting a parcel, you simply need to provide the most important details. Creating a label to stick on a parcel sent via InPost is not difficult. To prepare it, you can use the online Parcel Manager. Once you have logged in and entered all the details, a PDF file is automatically generated, which you then need to print out. The final step is affix the label in a visible place, i.e. on top of the parcel.

The parcel can be You can also post items in other ways – via the InPost Mobile app or the ‘Quick Post’ service. The advantage of using the app is that you don’t need to print and stick on a label. If, on the other hand, you choose the second option, you don’t need your own user account to send a parcel.

After that, all you have to do is wait for the courier or go to a Paczkomat. If you’ve chosen to use a Paczkomat, there are three ways to send your parcel. The first, via the app, doesn’t require you to use the machine’s screen. Once the dispatch has been created, a button to dispatch the parcel remotely will appear in the app. When you’re at the Paczkomat machine, simply tap the button on your smartphone and the relevant locker will open.

Once you have a parcel label, you can post your parcel with just a few clicks on the Paczkomat machine’s screen. You can do this by scanning the code on the label or by entering your phone number and the parcel number. Your parcel could reach the recipient as early as the very next day!

Mistakes to avoid when packing a parcel for dispatch

Following the above recommendations is enough to ensure that the parcel reaches the recipient in perfect condition. In addition, it is important to bear in mind the aesthetic aspect. Paying attention to this is important, especially when running an online shop. A worn-out box that has previously been used for other purposes will have a negative impact on the brand’s image and may result in the customer being dissatisfied with the visual appearance of the parcel. InPost test.

It’s also worth ensuring you use the right amount and quality of filling material. Just as there mustn’t be too little, there shouldn’t be too much either. In other words, it’s best not to waste material. Ideally, the material itself should look nice too. For this reason, skropak, for example, is a better choice than paper wads.