Finding and Selecting Shipping and Packaging Supplies

How to sort through the myriad of options for packaging products for shipment

When it comes to purchasing shipping and packaging supplies, sorting through the array of choices can have you reaching for the Tylenol. Everyone from the U.S. Postal Service to wholesale shipping supply companies has put together deals to draw small business their way. To narrow the choices, first analyze your needs for packaging supplies, such as boxes, envelopes, tubes, cartons, drums, strapping, shrink wrap, cushioning, edge protectors, bags, bubble wrap, tags, tape and other packaging products. When selecting packaging materials, key areas to consider are:

1. How complicated is it to ship your product and are special custom packaging materials necessary?
2. How much volume do you ship and how frequently do you send items to customers?
3. How much packing material is used for each shipment? Do your needs warrant buying packaging supplies in bulk?
4. How important is packaging and shipping to your company's productivity?

Find what you need with packing and shipping supply specialists

You can find a few shipping supplies at any office supply outlet. However, shipping and packing supply specialists offer a vastly wider selection, better availability and great prices, too.
Try: 

Uline, a top shipping and packing material specialty company, offers easy online ordering and same-day shipping from six distribution centers. Uline has over 800 box sizes in stock ready for same day shipping. Hard to beat. Other leaders in shipping and packing materials include: eSupplyStore; U.S. Box; and PackagingSupplies.com.

Comparing prices for lower volume needs

If your business only needs basic shipping and packing supplies, occasionally compare prices for the best deal.
Try: 

Shopping.com does price comparisons on shipping and packing supplies from retailers such as OfficeMax and Staples as well as other online stores.

Get free shipping and packing material advice

Packaging products correctly for shipping is something of an art. Packaging products poorly could result in damaged goods. An amateur packing job also looks bad to customers. A great place to start is with major national shippers like FedEx, UPS and DHL. All provide tips on how to pack boxes for shipment and make suggestion on packaging materials to use. Shipping supply distributors that cater to small business also offer advice along with special deals on packaging products.
Try: 

PacNSeal offers a 3 percent discount to online buyers using PayPal for purchases and owner Steve Madden provides advice in a newsletter and through e-mail. And check out these express packaging tips from FedEx.

Lower costs with free company packing and shipping supply

FedEx, UPS and other major shipping companies offer free boxes and envelopes for express shipments. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers free boxes, envelopes and specialty mailers in a variety of sizes for priority mail and Express Mail. Other USPS services that small businesses find attractive include a “Click-N-Ship” option with eBay that includes free shipping boxes and labels.
Try: 

Order free packing and shipping supply from your account at FedEx or UPS. Pickup free supplies at your Post Office or check out Click-N-Ship on eBay.

Special needs and industrial packaging and shipping supply

Have an awkward, heavy or fragile product that's hard to ship? Some companies offer specialized services that allow more flexibility in specialty and industrial packaging.
Try: 

Wholesalepackaging.com designs custom shipping supplies and OnePak provides low-cost packaging material in shipping supply kits that include inflatable air cushioning and laser address labels. Also try Business.com’s directory of industrial packaging suppliers.

• Before paying for shipping and packaging supplies, take a close look at the carrier you'll be using. Check not only their requirements, but also see what sort of packaging supplies, like labels, they might provide for free online.
• When ordering large quantities of packaging materials pick one or two items and then check the price on various sites.

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