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!!