You’ve sealed the box, you’ve labeled it and your next shipment is ready. However, prior to placing the shipment in the pickup area there is one last step to ensure that any errors made during this process are corrected as quickly as possible.
As part of your duties using proper shipping supplies will help you complete your shipments in a timely manner. Proper use of those supplies will assist in ensuring that your shipments arrive at the correct customer in good condition.
Begin by verifying the contents of the box just prior to closing it. Verify that the contents of the box match what was ordered from the order document. In cases where two similar looking items were shipped (such as both red), verify that the items are identified by the product name and/or item number, instead of solely relying on appearance. Add any additional components or documentation required for completing the shipment.
Verify that adequate packing material is in place to prevent movement of the contents within the box. Ensure that no corners are exposed and that none of the items touch each other (if applicable). Allowing yourself enough time to resolve issues with packaging prior to closing and labeling will ultimately save you a lot of time down the road, if you had to cut open the closed package.
Upon closure of the package, verify that the tape adheres correctly and does not pull off when opened. Make certain that tape lies flat against the cardboard and seals securely. If any edges of the tape appear to have pulled away, you will want to make the necessary repairs to secure the seal prior to stacking completed packages together.
Next, compare the shipping label provided to the customer’s information found on the order document. Verify that the shipping label contains the customers name and full street address, along with any apartment or suite number (where applicable). When shipping multiple orders at one time, retain each shipping label to its respective package, so they don’t become jumbled.
Affix the shipping label to a clean area where it will be easily readable. Be careful not to wrap the barcode around any corners of the package and avoid laying it directly over any seams. Also, smooth out any wrinkles in the label and verify that all printing is legible and black. A shipping label with faded ink or damage should be replaced immediately.
When using a reused outer package, completely remove or completely cover existing shipping labels and bar codes. Excess shipping labels can lead to confusion when processing incoming shipments. Inspect all sides of the container to ensure that previous labels are removed from view.
In addition to your reusable shipping containers, consider having a digital scale and measuring device available near your shipping supplies. Weigh and measure your completed shipment (including all packaging) to verify accuracy. Simply weighing a product does not account for the weight of the packaging, padding and/or other materials used in completing your shipment. Carefully log your final measurements when creating your shipment documentation.
Inspect the exterior of the packaging for signs of damage such as; rips, moisture, or bulges on any side(s). Set any questionable packages aside for further inspection/evaluation before allowing them to be placed in the designated pickup area.
Lastly, after reviewing your shipments, place all verified shipments in a designated “pickup” area. Store any uncompleted shipments in a different area, making it impossible for them to accidentally leave with completed shipments.
Performing a final review ensures that all your shipping supplies function as intended. Additionally, it provides your staff with a definitive checkpoint when determining whether an order is indeed ready for delivery.