Yes, you can send fragile items; however, these are sent at your own risk and most fragile items will not be covered by compensation cover if damaged.

Damage to items inside a courier's network is rare; however, this depends on how items are packaged for transit.

A courier's automated network is not the same as packing moving boxes that will only go on one vehicle from one address to another. When you ship items with a courier, they will be transported through many different vehicles and facilities, along conveyor belts, drop-down chutes, and will come into contact with other heavy and large items. Packaging is therefore essential to ensure your fragile items arrive as they were sent.

We recommend following our top tips for sending fragile items:

  1. Choose the Right Boxes

    Always ensure you have picked a correctly sized box for your contents. Poorly sized boxes are one of the most common reasons for items being damaged. We recommend using strong cardboard boxes that are ideally double-walled or more.

    Your boxes should always be able to withstand the weight you are planning to send. Many people get larger boxes from supermarkets that are designed for large packets of potato chips/crisps. These boxes are only designed for extremely light contents and are not suitable for heavier loads such as personal effects.

    Please do not cut parts of a box to resize it, as this affects the overall integrity of the packaging. Always obtain suitable packaging for your contents.

  2. Prepare Proper Packaging

    Use high-quality packing materials to ensure the safety of your items. Bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and packing paper are excellent for providing cushioning. Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap, paying extra attention to delicate areas. Once wrapped, place the items in the box and fill any gaps with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to prevent movement during transit.

  3. Eliminate Empty Space

    Empty space in the box can cause items to shift during transport, leading to potential damage. If you have a small, heavy item in a large box with lots of empty space, this allows the item to move freely around the box, increasing the risk of damage. Ensure all gaps are filled with suitable packing materials to keep everything secure.

  4. Pack and Protect Items Individually

    When sending multiple fragile items, pack and protect each one individually. Do not rely on the items to protect each other within the same box. Use sufficient padding around each item and ensure they are not in direct contact with one another. This method provides an additional layer of protection and reduces the chance of damage.

  5. Seal the Box Securely

    Once your items are packed, seal the box securely with strong packing tape. Use the H-taping method to reinforce the box: apply tape along the seams on the top and bottom of the box, and then tape along the edges to form a strong, H-shaped seal on all sides. This ensures the box remains closed during transit and prevents items from falling out.