Breakable products need the most care during packaging

Investing in packaging up front and making sure you’ve followed our recommended best practices are the best ways to ensure your fragile items are delivered safely. 

Six key tips from our FedEx packaging experts:

1. Choose the right box
The right box does more than just fit tightly around your product. Your box should be sturdy enough to support your product’s weight and large enough to accommodate cushioning material.

2. Pack safely
Double-box fragile items within a larger box and include 3” of cushioning in and around the interior box. See our infographic for the best way to double-box.

3. Restrict product movement

The correct placement and amount of cushioning is critical if you want your product to withstand events that can happen during shipping. Place the product in the middle of the box with ample cushioning on all sides. Use filler like crumpled newspaper, peanuts, or other cushioning material to keep your product from moving around.

4. Pack fragile products individually
Wrap fragile products individually in a minimum 3" thickness of air-cellular cushioning material, and then fill any empty spaces with loose-fill peanuts or other cushioning material.

5. Seal tightly
For a standard corrugated box, create an "H" by taping down the middle seam and on each edge. See our infographic for the best way to tape your package.

6. Place the shipping label correctly
Always put the label on the package's largest surface. This increases the chance your package will stay the correct end up during shipping. Also, try not to place the label across taped seams.

If you’d like more detailed information on packaging various types of breakable items, explore our How to Pack guide.