These guidelines are based on over fifteen years experience packing and shipping electronic equipment using most major domestic carriers. Proper packing is the single most important step in conducting business on the Internet, yet often receives the least attention. To assure a successful transaction closure PLEASE follow these guidelines when packing all materials to send to K4ICL.

Assumptions

A gorilla, larger than you can imagine, will throw the package at least 30 feet to another large gorilla. The second gorilla will not catch it and it will slam against the brick wall and drop to the concrete floor.

You will have to file a damage claim if you do not DOUBLE BOX the item. Dealing with damage claims is a REAL hassle, likely to involve much paper work and hard feelings. It will make you very cranky.

The Reality

All shipping carriers, including the U.S. Postal Service, have automated their distribution systems, using bar codes to route packages. Your shipment will be moved through the read-and-sort process using conveyer belts. The conveyer system will drop your package from one belt to another many times, at a heights of up to 40 inches. This means that your package will experience a free fall drop(s) at some phase of being carried from your QTH to us. IF YOU DON'T PACK IT PROPERLY, IT WILL BE DAMAGED.

Insurance

Always insure the package for one and one-half times its ACTUAL REPLACEMENT VALUE.

MINIMUM Requirements

Any package MUST be packed in such a manner that the contents of the package will not be damaged if the package is repeatedly dropped from the height of a normal shipping counter to the floor, a distance of about 40 inches or three and one half feet.

Packing Supplies you will need.

Proper packing of delicate electronic equipment requires some forward planning. Before you secure the supplies listed below, measure the size of the equipment to be sent and calculate the box size you will need.

Good quality packing tape.
One suitable sized smaller inner box to hold your equipment after it has been wrapped in bubble wrap.
One suitable sized larger outer box at least 4 1/4 inch larger on all three dimensions than the inner box.
Thirty or forty feet of large size 24 inch wide bubble wrap material.
One or two 4 x 8 sheet(s) of dense foam insulation board (Home Depot, etc.)
"Fragile", "This End UP", "DO NOT DROP" etc. packing stickers.
A good large felt tip pen for signage on your package if no packing stickers are available.

WARNING -- Most so-called professional packing establishments available is some areas will want to use foam peanuts when thy pack your equipment. Accept this with the understanding that you will not have the best possible packing job for your money. The proper use if bubble wrap and dense foam board is far superior to using foam peanuts when packing delicate equipment.

Step by Step Procedure to assure your equipment will get here undamaged.

1. Place your equipment in a plastic bag or other suitable plastic cover to protect it from packing materials and moisture. Same with any extra small items, manual, accessories, etc. Remember, the vibration of a long haul truck can completely ware the paint off a surface rubbing against packing material.

2. Tightly wrap item in at least five layers (three to four full inches) of the large bubble wrap. There should be enough bubble wrap surrounding the item to absorb the shock of being dropped from a height of 40 inches.

3. Place tightly bubble wrapped equipment in suitable size cardboard "inner" box, preferably one that just fits the item with it bubble wrapping, including any accessories. Fill any spaces in the box with wadded up bubble wrap so the item fits SNUG in the box. This is done to keep the equipment from shifting within the box! DO NOT USE NEWSPAPER, FOAM PEANUTS OR ANYTHING LOOSE AND/OR CRUSHABLE.

4. Seal the box carefully. Double tape everything. The better it is sealed, the better it will absorb the shock of being dropped. This inner box goes inside a strong outer box.

5. Prior to placing the smaller box inside a larger strong box, place one or two sheets of foam board in and on the bottom of the large box. This is to strengthen the bottom of the two box container you are building. DO NOT USE STYROFOAM PEANUTS OR ANY OTHER LOOSE MATERIAL. Use ONLY foam sheets.

IMPORTANT: For LARGE HEAVY (greater than 20 lbs) items, there should be at least two inches of Styrofoam sheets. This will require a larger outer box. Note: the “pink” one-inch foam board available at Home Depot is perfect for this application. Often slightly damaged sheets are discounted to half price. Note: Normally, the cost of the foam board is cheaper than foam peanuts. DO NOT USE STYROFOAM PEANUTS OR ANY OTHER LOOSE MATERIAL.

6. After placing the smaller box it the larger, place foam board on all sides and the top of the sealed inner box. Fill all remaining space in the second box, leaving NO air space at the top. Use large bubble wrap material, not foam peanuts. The inner "first" box MUST be securely held in place so it will not shift when you shake the package,

7. Doubles seal the second box with packing tape then over the top and bottom "lids" again. Double tape everything.

8. IMPORTANT: place on each surface, except the bottom, stickers or signs indicating that the contents of the package is a "FRAGILE ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT", "THIS END UP" and "DO NOT DROP". If you fail to do this, the package WILL BE HANDLED AS IF IT WERE A BOX OF ROCKS!

9. Place address label on top of package, completely taping over with clear packing tape.

10. IMPORTANT: Immediately after shipping, please forward the tracking number to K4ICL.