A sad truth is that sometimes packages get damaged when sending them overseas. It may seem as unavoidable, especially if you’re shipping to Europe from the USA. The road to a different continent is long and poses many risks.

But you shouldn’t feel down about it. There are quite a few things you can do to prevent shipping damage if you need to send a parcel internationally. Let’s go over them in more detail.

Choose appropriate external packaging

The best way to protect your parcel from damage is to pack it with care. The more so if you’re shipping to Poland, Lithuania, or basically any country that’s on another continent. Your goods will have higher chances of arriving unscathed if you put them in proper external packaging.

If you’re shipping small items, they may fit into a padded envelope. But if your goods are larger or heavier, it’s better to get a box. And selecting the right box is trickier than it may seem at first sight. It should be neither too small nor too big. Packing your items too tight or too loose may lead to shipping damage.

Be careful not only of the size, but also of the quality of the shipping box. Reuse old boxes only if they’re in perfect condition. Flimsy external packaging won’t protect your goods when shipping internationally.

Be diligent with internal packaging

Once you have prepared durable external packaging, the next step is to take care of the internal one. Pay extra attention to it when packing fragile items. It’s best to wrap each item individually to prevent the goods from bumping into each other. Use bubble wrap or newspapers for this cause.

To ensure the safest package delivery, be sure to put cushioning materials at the bottom of the shipping box as well. It’ll help to reduce impact damage. Lay your items inside the box and cover them with padding for an additional layer of protection. Bubble wrap might be the best choice here.

Try not to leave any empty spaces. Fill them with cushioning, too. You can use packing peanuts, air pillows, or crumpled paper. When you’re done, shake your box a bit. If nothing’s moving inside, your parcel is good to go.

Pick a reliable international shipping company

Proper packaging is essential when shipping overseas. But it won’t fully protect your parcel if you pick your carrier carelessly. You might want to compare the shipping costs from the USA to Germany or any other country pair that you’re concerned about. Just don’t make the shipping price your only criterion for choosing an international shipping company.

First of all, you should check if the carrier is reliable. Beware of scammers and companies that provide unprofessional services. It’s also a good idea to see what benefits the shipping company is offering. It could be a free pick-up from home or anything else that’d make the international package shipping process easier for you.

Insure your parcel

Don’t hesitate to insure your package. It’s actually a countermeasure not against physical, but financial damage you might take if your parcel gets ruined. It’s common to insure goods of high value, but getting insurance for other types of goods is also beneficial. At the very least it’ll make you feel relaxed and more confident when using services for international package shipping.

Sending items overseas may seem risky. But it’ll be easy to prevent any possible shipping damage, if you apply the tips described above.