Packing Instructions
For Parcels, Pallets, Barrels & Containers
Professional packing protects your items and saves money. Follow these guidelines to avoid delays, damage, and extra handling fees while ensuring safe delivery to your destination.
Essential Packing Principles
Start Right
- Clean and completely dry all items before packing
- Create detailed packing lists for customs and insurance
- Use strong, weather-resistant packaging materials only
- Never pack prohibited items — contact us if unsure
Pack Smart
- Heavy items: Always at the bottom
- Fragile items: Cushioned in the middle layer
- Light items: Keep on top
- Fill gaps: Use padding so nothing shifts
Parcels: Standard Box Shipments
Perfect Parcel Checklist
Smart Packing Steps
- Wrap fragile items individually in bubble wrap.
- Fill all gaps with padding — nothing should move when shaken.
- Seal thoroughly with strong tape.
- Test package — should feel solid and balanced.
- Irregular shapes: canisters, tubes, tied bundles
- Unsuitable containers: sacks, bin bags, tyres
- Poor packaging: damaged boxes, loose bags
- Items requiring special handling labels
Barrels & Containers
Our revolutionary container service puts you in complete control:
- 8ft Container: Perfect for 1-2 rooms
- 20ft Container: Ideal for 3-4 bedroom homes
- 40ft Container: Large homes or commercial moves
Key Benefits:
- Pack at your own pace — take days or weeks
- No handover hassles — same container start to finish
- One clear price including delivery, transport, final delivery
- Weatherproof, ground-level loading, secure locks
Perfect for household items, bulk goods, and mixed shipments. Manual handling with care — no extra fees when packed correctly.
- Bottom: Heavy items (tinned food, toiletries, books, tools)
- Middle: Fragile/valuable items cushioned with clothes/towels
- Top: Light, crushable items (cereals, snacks, clothing)
- Completely sealed with stretch wrap, rope, or tamper-evident seals
- Clearly labeled (paint directly on container — paper labels may not survive)
- Flat top with secure, non-bulging lid
- Safe lifting weight with proper distribution
- Collection tip: Place outside, clear of steps for team safety
- Overfilled containers unsafe to lift
- Cracked, dented, or leaking containers
- Irregular shapes preventing stacking
- Poor sealing or open tops
- Items taped to exterior
Pallets: Professional Bulk Shipping
Professional Pallet Standards
- Stack in brick pattern, not pyramid
- Heavy items at base
- No overhang beyond pallet edges
- Flat, stackable top surface
- Wrapped and strapped securely
- Clear labeling on boxes and pallet
- Use uniform box sizes where possible
- Secure with stretch wrap and strapping
- Add corner protectors for valuable loads
- Check weight distribution
- Ensure pallet can support stacked loads
- Pyramid or cone-shaped loads
- Uneven or unstable surfaces
- Fragile loads requiring special handling
- Non-standard pallet sizes
Pre-Shipment Final Check
- Phone and email details current
- Available during collection window
- Valid photo ID for depot drop-offs
- Detailed packing list prepared
- Customs paperwork in order
- Insurance arranged for valuable items
- No prohibited items included
- Fragile items properly protected
- Container weights within safe limits
Important Update: Jamaica Kingston
Oversized Cargo Scanning Procedures (Effective October 1, 2024)
The Jamaica Customs Agency has introduced new advanced non-intrusive scanning equipment at Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL). As a result, updated procedures now apply to certain oversized LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments arriving in Kingston.
If your cargo exceeds the following specifications, it will need to be unpacked, scanned, and repacked before clearance:
- Height exceeding 5.75 feet
- Width exceeding 5.875 feet
- Weight exceeding 5,000 kilograms
If your shipment falls outside these limits, additional handling charges will apply for the unpacking and repacking process.
Repacking Charges (From October 1, 2024)
- Unpack and repack using consignee’s pallet or crate – USD $75 per pallet or crate
- Unpack and repack onto KWL pallet – USD $125 per pallet
- Each additional pallet – USD $80 per pallet
These charges are set by the terminal in Jamaica and apply only where shipments exceed the stated size or weight limits.
If you’re unsure whether your shipment may be affected, our team is happy to check the details for you before booking.
Packing Supplies Available
We Stock
- Shipping boxes and cartons in various sizes
- Food-safe barrels (multiple sizes available)
- Specialized shipping containers
- Industrial packing tape and stretch wrap
- Bubble wrap, foam, and protective padding
Why Proper Packing Matters
- Protects your investment — Prevents damage that insurance may not cover
- Saves money — Avoids extra handling and repacking fees
- Prevents delays — Smooth customs and port processing
- Peace of mind — Goods arrive as intended
- Professional results — Better experience for recipients
Need help? Our experienced team provides free packing consultations. Contact us before you pack — prevention is better than problems.
Order Packing Supplies
Need help? Our experienced team provides free packing consultations. Contact us before you pack, prevention is better than problems.
Phone: +44 (0)1623 441445
Email: help@transpakship.com
Free packing advice included with supply orders