Page 141 - Training 2019

INTRODUCTION:

There is a right way and a wrong way to pack a parcel for shipping. It is not just about packing the
items and shipping it out.

We also need to consider everyone in the chain who will handle the items from the packer, to the
person who loads our bakkie, then the person who unloads our bakkie at the freight company, then
the person who loads the freight truck, the freight truck driver on the road, the person who unloads
the freight truck at the destination, the person who will load it onto our bakkie, the person who will
unload our bakkie, our storeman, then the person who will load it onto our bakkie for local delivery,
the person who will off load at the customer and then several people at the customer.

So now we can see why we need to pack an item well to be able to survive all this handling.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN PACKING A PARCEL?

When we are packing a parcel we always need to try and think of:
 How fragile is the item (glass thermometer, viscosity cup, UV lamp) and therefor how much
bubble wrap or stuffing needs to go around the item?
 How expensive is the item (Schmidt hammer, micrometres) and therefor how much packing?
 How heavy is the item (RK Proofer) which will need to be in its own secure protective box?
 Does it have a sharp edge (guillotine blades) which needs to be on its own board to protect
the cutting edge and to avoid cutting fingers.
 Correct address label on parcel with correct document, especially for export.
 How long is the item (Rosslyn scraper blades), too long to pack in a box so the packing needs
to protect the ground edge and also be able to be handled in and out of vehicles. Or a roller
on a pallet where the shaft ends hang over the ends
 Are goods classified as dangerous, flammable, corrosive, then the products need to be
labelled properly for transport.
 Who else is going to handle the parcel so you need to pack to protect the next person in the
chain.
 What will they pack on top of our parcel. If the product is hand cleaner on a pallet, you can
bet they will pack something on top of it.

Just remember there is a whole empty truck that they need to fill.

WHAT DOES VOLUMETRIC MEAN?

The freight company is selling you space in his truck and you are billed based on a volumetric basis.
So, what is a volumetric unit……one cubic meter of water will equal one metric ton.
 A cubic meter is 1 mt wide x 1 mt deep x 1 mt high = 1 cubic meter or 1,000 kg.
 So, if the parcel is small but very heavy……you will be charged by weight
 However, if the parcel is very light but large…...you will be charged by volume

PARCEL PACKING TRAINING MANUAL 2
Updated - 24 June 2019