Computers can be shipped using any of the major shipping companies (Fedex, UPS, DHL, USPS)

Materials

• a spare desktop computer and monitor box. Make sure that it is double walled corrugated cardboard. Insure that the box has at least 2-3 inches of null cushion space between it and your computer.
• Enough Styrofoam to fill in null space between computer and box
• Packing foam
• 3 or 4 layers of antistatic bubble wrap
• pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced tape, or 60-pound, three inch wide water-activated reinforced tape

 

Desktop Computers-Packing

1) Start by opening the desktop and removing or supporting the heatsink to avoid rattling during shipping due to its heavy weight.

2) Wrap the heatsink separately with bubble wrap. Some computer aficionados also recommended that the memory, hard drive, cd rom, and cpu are removed and put in a separate box in bubble wrap. However, if the recipient of the computer would not be able to restore said parts then it is recommended at least that the drives are zip tied down.

3) Exposed screws should also be taped down to avoid loosening during shipping. Close the computer and tape down any remaining exposed screws.

4) Use the bubblewrap and strong tape to wrap the desktop with 3-4 layers.

5) Place the bubblewrapped computer in the box.

6) Use the packing foam to stuff into the empty space between the desktop and the box. Use the foam in the empty corners and insure that there is a tight fit. Make sure that you create an even null space around the computer.

7) Tape the box down securely with pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced tape, or 60-pound, three inch wide water-activated reinforced tape.

Test the box by rotating in several directions. Make sure that there is NO motion in the box.

9) Place the wrapped accessories in the same box if possible or in another box if necessary. Use packing foam around accessories as well if placed in another box. Make sure that there is NO motion in the box.

10) Wrap the monitor in bubble wrap and place in a monitor box.

11) Use Styrofoam to insure the monitor is tightly fitted in the box. Make sure to place Styrofoam in the front of the monitor to insure that there is cushion between the glass screen and the corrugated box.

12) Test the box by rotating in several directions. Make sure that there is NO motion in the box.

Laptop Computers-Packing

1) Use the bubblewrap to wrap the laptop with 3-4 layers of bubblewrap.

2) Place the bubblewrapped laptop in the box.

3) Use the packing foam to stuff into the empty space between the desktop and the box. Use the foam in the empty corners and insure that there is a tight fit. Make sure that you create an even null space around the computer.

4) Tape the box down securely with pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced tape, or 60-pound, three inch wide water-activated reinforced tape.

5) Test the box by rotating in several directions. Make sure that there is NO motion in the box.

Sealing and Labeling

1) Seal the shipping container (box) with either two inches or more width of pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced tape, or 60-pound, three inch wide water-activated reinforced tape.

2) Make sure to seal both ends even if you are using a brand new box.

3) Make sure you seal the corners of the box. Corners are very susceptible to damage.

4) Place label on the side that you want to remain up most of the time. For computers, it should be on the wide side. If the label is placed on the short side, the driver will place the box on the short side most of the time and it may fall down in the truck.

5) Similarly, with the monitor, make sure you do not place the shipping label on the backside of the monitor as that would insure that the monitor will sit with the glass facing down most of the time. Place the label on the top side of the monitor so that the monitor sits upright throughout most of the journey.

A word about the fragile label…

There are those that believe that you should always label a fragile package fragile. There are others who work for shipping companies as handlers that believe that labeling a package fragile will only encourage bad behavior from rogue handlers. The fact is that fragile marking will not give the package any more special treatment. If you want special handling that you must pay for that service.

Acquire insurance for the value of the package. If shipping internationally, avoid overestimating the cost of the computer as the recipient will have to pay duty on the estimated cost of the shipment. Make sure that the recipient reports any damage immediately.

Computer boxes can also be obtained from http://www.cameronpackaging.com/computerboxes.html#CPU

Good Luck and Good Shipping,
Your How To Ship Advisor


Contribute to our site and submit a video on how to ship computers using the guidelines below!!

In order to ship a car you require a special carrier. UPS, Fedex or DHL cannot be used for such a purpose.

Obtaining a car shipper or transporters:

There are several online resources that act as directories of car transporters. These directories probably earn their revenue by getting a percentage of all the business that comes through their website. These sites provide the convenience of having many transport companies listed together. However don’t forget that they won’t have all the companies. A good key word search should be able to provide you with even more options.

The important thing about choosing a car transporter is their ability to transport your car while incurring the least amount of damage. For this you may not be as concerned with pricing as with reputation. If that is the case, you should perform your due diligence on the car transporter as best you can.

* The first that you would want to do is get the USDOT numbers of the trucking companies that will handle the car and visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at their website at www.safersys.org. There you can find out what the company safety profile is and if they have licensing and insurance.

* Second, you may want to inquire if they are ISO 9001 certified. This certification insures that the trucking company has an international quality standard or a documented process on how to accomplish quality service. This entails an operating a system that emphasizes low damage while maintaining timely delivery and unmatched customer service. This would be the highest level of assurance that you can get from a company.

* Finally, any good business that has a history should be able to provide good old fashion testimonials or references that attest to the quality of service the carrier provides. These can be obtained at http://www.transportreviews.com/. You can find ratings and reviews from past customers. However, remember that you still want to perform your own research to make sure the company is properly insured and licensed. Do not just go by the reviews alone.

A word about Better Business Bureau” The Better Business Bureau is a for-profit organization and not a not-for profit government agency. The Better Business Bureau has no authority. There are many companies that have better business bureau logos on their site that are cheating the public. I myself was a victim of one such company. Their logo means nothing.

What to expect:

When the car is picked up for delivery you will be expected to sign a bill of lading. A bill of lading is a document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods. When the vehicle arrives at the destination- make sure that you do not sign off on any document unless everything is in order. Check for damages first! If there are any damages to the vehicle they must be reported immediately in the bill of lading.

The car will normally be transported in an open carrier unless you are paying premium price for the enclosed carrier. The difference will be exposure to the outside elements. You must ask and pay for a closed carrier if this is what you want.

Transport occurs terminal to terminal. When the car is picked up at your home it will be stored at the departing terminal until the carrier has determined that it is economically feasible to begin the journey. It then is transported by that carrier to the destination terminal. However, it may also stop at what is known as a cross docks station along the way. A cross docks station is a place where the car will be stored if there is a change in transport carriers that occurs en route. When it finally arrives at a destination terminal, a third party trucking company will deliver it to your door. So you can see that there will be at least two companies-maybe three or more involved in the transport of your vehicle. If you want to know if there will be any changes in carriers along your car transport route-you have to ask! If this affects your comfort level that you have to ask before you sign up with a transporter company. They will not feel the need to volunteer this information. There are some transport companies that will provide door to door service but you must ask for that service and pay the premium for it.

A few more things:

Transport companies do not allow storage of items in the car while it is being transported. Auto shipping and car transport trucks are subject to inspection every time they cross state lines and they can be fined up to $10,000 if found carrying household goods. The car will then be subject to impoundment and all the fines will be passed onto you-the owner of the car.

Finally, an insured vehicle provides the best assurance that heartache will not rear its ugly head when the vehicle arrives. You should make sure that your current insurance policy will cover any transport damage or obtain some insurance specifically for this trip.

Good Luck and Good Shipping,
Your How To Ship Advisor

In addition:

 

In Tips for Shipping Your Car Internationally I cam across the importance of

disconnecting the car alarm before shipping the vehicle.

 

 

Contribute to our site and submit a video on how to ship cars using the guidelines below!!

How to ship a cheesecake or cheesecakes

Cheesecakes can be shipped using any of the major shipping companies (Fedex, UPS, DHL, USPS)

In general, a cheesecake should be shipped in two boxes. The inner box will contain the cake and keep it from being crushed. The outer box will contain the cake box and extra packing material.

Materials:

• double corrugated cardboard
• packing foam or bubble wrap
• plastic wrap
• a foam container
• reinforced moisture resistant tape

Packing:

 

A cheesecake is considered a perishable cakes like any unfrosted or frosted cake that would normally require refrigeration.

A perishable cake must be frozen rock solid before shipment. It should be wrapped in sealed plastic to avoid loss of moisture as it defrosts. It should then be placed into a foam container that serves to surround the cake in about 2 inches of insulation. This foam container serves as the inner box which then goes into a double corrugated box with a half inch to an inch empty space for packing material. Packing foam should be used to protect the inner foam box. Close the box and use reinforced moisture resistant tape to close both ends and reinforce the corners. Corners are a very susceptible area for tearing on boxes.

Perishable cakes should be sent overnight. They can be sent next day morning or afternoon. Make sure you check whether you would like a signature for receipt of package. Signatures cost more.

Good Luck and Good Shipping,
Your How To Ship Advisor


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