How To Ship Electronics

Electronics are a part of virtually every facet of modern life. Manufacturers and suppliers must have safe, secure ways to ship their products domestically and internationally. Careful planning and attention to detail can help you find processes that make shipping electronics simple and efficient. Here is what you need to know about how to ship electronics.

Considerations When Shipping Electronics

You should consider several factors when exploring how to ship electronics. Some of the most crucial include the physical characteristics of your products, if they are temperature sensitive, and if there are any hazardous materials involved. Whether you are shipping domestically or internationally can also affect your processes and methods. 

Physical Nature of the Electronics

The physical characteristics of your electronics can affect your shipping methods. Most electronics are fragile, but some devices and components are more so than others. They may require special handling by carriers. 

Another physical consideration when choosing how to ship electronics is the size and weight of the packages, and whether there are any restrictions on how they can be placed within trucks. For example, some boxes may not be stackable, which can limit your options.  

The physical characteristics of your products will also play a role in deciding what type of packaging you require. Heavy items will need extra padding and heavy-duty materials to protect them during transit, whereas lightweight and small items may be perfectly safe nestled within a compartmentalized plastic tray. 

Temperature Controls

Some electronics require special climate-controlled shipping methods. Batteries are especially vulnerable to temperature extremes, but many others are also at risk. Talk to carriers about temperature ranges and insurance in case controls fail during transit. 

Humidity can also damage sensitive electronics. If excessive, it can cause water to pool and lead to corrosion. In addition to climate controls, special packaging with desiccants can help reduce moisture within shipments. 

Hazardous Materials

Many electronics contain materials considered hazardous by freight companies. In some cases, how to ship electronics depends on governmental regulations for hazardous materials. Lithium batteries are an excellent example. Because they can ignite and cause fires, shipping regulations require specific packaging and labels. Shipping carriers can also have different rules for shipping electronics with batteries, such as weight or quantity restrictions. 

Domestic vs. International Shipments

Domestic shipments must comply with U.S. regulations. However, international shipments are also subject to the rules and regulations of the destination country. Your shipping department must maintain current information about all applicable rules. It is also important to choose a carrier that understands them.  

Another consideration for international shipments is sending your products through customs. You may have to declare package contents and pay any tariffs on the enclosed items. 

Sustainability

Shipping can seriously undermine your company’s sustainability efforts. Whenever possible, choose shipping options that help reduce your environmental impact. This can be in the form of alternative fuel trucks and green packaging materials. At Ready-Made Plastic Trays, we use recycled or sustainably sourced materials whenever possible to help you achieve your sustainability goals. 

How To Ship Electronics Safely

Now that you understand the considerations for shipping them, we can dive deeper into the specifics of how to ship electronics. While the exact nature, quantity, and destination of your shipment will play a large role in the process, the following steps are fairly universal. 

Choose Proper Packaging Materials

Proper packaging is the cornerstone of safe shipping for electronics. Because of their fragile nature and high cost, a packaging failure can lead to expensive losses. 

Virtually all electronics ship in a box of some sort. Most have several when you include individual packaging and then shipping containers. Corrugated boxes provide a minimal amount of padding that can absorb some rough handling. However, the contents should be cushioned with additional materials inside. 

Air pillows, bubble wrap, and foam sheets are all appropriate cushioning for electronic devices. Our plastic packaging trays are an excellent option for shipping multiple small devices within standard boxes. Some packing peanuts create static electricity, so be careful if you decide to use them for packaging. 

Special materials can help reduce risks of damage from static. Anti-static bags are one option. We also manufacture packaging trays with several types of plastic that help control electrostatic discharge. For example, ESD polycarbonate is an excellent choice for computer components while anti-static PVC is suitable for most small electronics. 

Prepare and Pack Shipments

Proper packaging within boxes helps reduce jostling and damage. Be sure all components, especially any batteries, are clearly labeled before placing them in the box. 

Once packed, carefully seal the boxes for shipment. Use strong packing tape on all seams, paying extra attention to the tops and bottoms. This can help reduce the chances that your boxes open during transit. 

Label Packaging

Every package should have an appropriate shipping label that clearly shows its origin and destination. Carriers often have specialized labels that include scannable tracking codes.  

Fragile products and hazardous materials should be labeled accordingly. For example, shipping regulations require lithium batteries to have warning stickers on all packaging. Your carrier might also require labels denoting fragile items or electronics. 

Load and Track Shipments

You should choose a carrier that can meet your needs for handling, delivery time, and costs. They should offer appropriate transportation, especially where temperature or humidity control is required. The ability to track shipments and insurance coverage may also affect your choice. 

Once your scheduled pickup arrives, you can prepare to load the packages onto the truck. Use care when handling boxes and pallets, and always stay within any stacking restrictions. 

Provide any required documentation to the driver and obtain the tracking information for your shipment. This allows you to keep up with where your packages are, when they are scheduled for delivery, and when the end customer receives them. This information can be vital if you need to file an insurance claim or a customer disputes the delivery status. 

Ship Electronics Securely With Ready-Made Plastic Trays

At Ready-Made Plastic Trays, we work with you to ensure packaging trays meet all requirements for the safe and secure shipping of electronics. Choose from our stock tray configurations, or let us manufacture custom trays for you. Request a free sample today to see the difference Ready-Made trays make.