Before peak season, give the packing team a shared standard. A tidy carton does not prove its contents are secure, and a successfully printed label may become difficult to read once attached. These five checks give staff a practical starting point instead of leaving every decision to experience.
1. Choosing a box only because the product fits
Match carton strength to the load and allow room for cushioning. Protect individual items and support excess space. Aramex recommends considering double-wall cartons for fragile goods. Do not remove necessary protection simply to shrink the parcel. See Aramex's packaging guide.
For common products and order combinations, create a packing example with a photo. It gives new staff a clearer reference than “pack carefully”.
2. Forcing one more item into a bag or carton
If closing the bag takes a struggle or the carton bulges, reconsider the packaging. NZ Post warns that overfilling can split packaging and distort labels. See NZ Post's packaging standards.
Set unusual orders aside for review, suitable packaging and a revised quote rather than forcing them through to meet a pickup.
3. Adding tape without checking the carton and openings
Replace damp, softened or crushed cartons. Check top and bottom and use parcel tape to secure openings and edges; extra tape does not prove a weakened box is sound. Aramex specifies sealing all open edges on both faces. See Aramex's sealing advice.
4. Leaving yesterday's label beside today's
Remove old shipping labels. Keep the current label flat, away from edges and uncovered by tape. NZ Post notes that equipment can read an old label and delay processing. See NZ Post's label guidance.
When several staff pack together, match each parcel to its order and label before moving it to the finished area. Check the address too, using our NZ shipping address checklist.
5. Relying on a “Fragile” sticker
A sticker cannot replace protective packaging. Before sending liquids, check that the chosen service accepts the item and that its conditions are met. Packaging does not make prohibited contents acceptable. See NZ Post's restrictions.
For permitted bottled liquids, NZ Post advises individual wrapping, a sealed polyethylene bag, and a sturdy carton with enough absorbent material. Protect sharp edges too. See NZ Post's item-specific packing guidance. Follow the requirements of your selected service.
Make the final check part of daily dispatch
Ask the final packer to confirm the order-label match, weigh and measure the sealed parcel, and record any rework. Review those notes weekly to choose the next process improvement. Photos and check records are internal tools, not carrier approval of the packaging.
Enter the complete address, actual weight and final external dimensions in iShipping before comparing available services. Do not reuse the product's unpacked weight or an old carton size. Our volumetric weight guide explains why dimensions matter.
Compare courier options with iShipping. Prepare the parcel and details accurately, then choose a service that fits the order.