6 Hidden Ways to Safely Ship Fragile Items & Reduce Return Fraud.

With increased return fraud cases, businesses are striving to put more effort into shipping fragile products safely and reduce return fraud. You can face return fraud when the buyer receives a defective product even if said product is in good condition.

According to one report, 1 out of 10 packages in the US arrive defective or damaged at customer’s doorsteps. Although some incidents may result from your courier or maybe it happens due to low-quality packaging.

Returns are inevitable but you can take essential steps to safely ship fragile items and reduce return fraud. This blog post shares how you can ensure the safe delivery of fragile items. Read on!

1. Choose Perfect Box Size:

High-value and fragile items may require double packaging for better protection. In this way, you have to choose the right box size and weight as the right-sized box can support your product from the inside and fit the necessary cushioning material.

Undoubtedly, heavy-duty items may cost more but with adequate safety measures and additional expenses, you can reduce return fraud to a larger extent. However, this will ship your fragile items safely without any return fraud.

2. Wrap Product with Paper:

When you wrap each product with paper and seal it with scotch tape, you will ensure that you cover all parts. For this, you can use packing tape to secure your fragile items from the inside.

It is recommended to use foam firm inside for wrapping instead of adding a second bubble layer as it may make unboxing harder.

Before placing your products in the center, you can fill the base of your box with crinkle paper and packing nuts. Also, you can make it sturdier by adding corrugated inserts or craft paper on box walls. When you are done with it, slightly shake your box to check if your product shifts.

3. Seal Box & Place Safety Markers:                         

Once you close the box, tape it securely as you can go for the H-taping method. If you want to seal square shaped box, you need to fold two opposing flaps in, then the remaining two. On each end, leave an overhang of tape so that you can make a seal securely.

Apply pressure to ensure that the tape adheres properly. Next, tape the edges to form the letter H and apply half of the tape on the box and the other half on the side. Once you have put your products inside the box, repeat this method to seal the box top.

4. Use Impact Detectors & Tilt Sensors:

With impact detectors and tilt sensors, you can maintain fragile items' safety and create awareness for handlers to keep boxes upright. These will turn red after tilting on excessive impact.

These sensors help you to be careful as they show mishandling signs too, if any. These sensors are expensive, so it is recommended to use them for high delicate items only.

5. Acquire Shipping Insurance:

By getting shipping insurance, you can claim any damage or losses during shipping. Shipping insurance can be provided by couriers and third-party insurance providers. Shipping/ freight insurance is different from liability coverage.

In liability coverage, you should file a claim proving the shipping carrier’s negligence and wait for processing which can take several months. Under liability limits, the shipping firm is not responsible for any damage/ loss and it may happen due to these reasons:

• Bad weather
• Shipper improper packaging
• Road closures
• Government action

6. Keep Return Policy Updated:

Ensure that your return policy stays updated and still accurate. To prevent return claims, ensure that your policy must come with these things:

• The duration for filing returns.
• You should set a limit for return windows based on product type.
• Maintain receipts, confirmation codes, and emails to come with complete proof of purchase.
• You should also come up with a policy to submit videos or images for proof of damage.
• Your policy must include a valid ID that matches the buyer’s name to verify identity.

Final Words!

Shipping fragile items requires enough care and precautionary measures. By following these 6 hidden strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage during transport and minimize return fraud.  This not only protects your products but also saves your business money and keeps your customers happy.  Implement these tips today and ship your fragile products on time without any damage.