Advice on packaging

Because goods are being air freighted, this doesn't mean they will be protected from the rigours of various handling processes that happen on route. It has been estimated that a package can be loaded/re-loaded/stowed up to 60 times during a typical international transit, so good quality packaging is essential.

When planning to package your goods, you might want to consider the following:

• Will your product withstand damage if other, heavier packages are stacked on top of yours en route? Make sure that your outer packaging is appropriate, strong and secure.

• Stabilise your goods within the packaging - use a filling material, such as expanded polystyrene beads or bubble wrap.

• Try to gather your smaller shipments into a larger package/case/pallet to reduce stress on individual consignments and avoid small packages getting lost in transit.

• Check that your destination country hasn't banned the use of certain packaging materials - eg many countries require packaging made from wood products to be treated for infestation and marked to this effect.