Complete Instructions for Safely Shipping Your Laptop

Shipping a laptop by mail can be scary. Indeed, The product is fragile and represents a certain value. Many of you may be wondering: How do I package my computer for mailing, to best ensure its protection? How to secure and insure the shipment of my laptop? Which shipping carrier should I choose?

In this article, we will answer all of these questions so that you can prepare your laptop for shipping. By following our advice, you will be able to send your precious equipment with maximum security and benefit from our 3rd party shipping insurance.

1. Packaging

For a safe shipment, it is important to choose the right packaging for your computer.

First of all, if you still have it, reuse the original cardboard box which is perfectly suitable for protecting and cushioning the computer during transport. Think of masking what is inside, so that no one can see that it is a computer and avoid any theft atempt.

If you don't have it any more, opt for a double or triple reinforced cardboard(thickness). Then, your cardboard should be of a size that does not compress the contents too much and that does not leave too many empty spaces either. We'll explain how to fill in the gaps below. Ideally, you should use the original box of your device for optimal support and then put it in a box for shipping.

Another solution is to use a "ready-to-send" packaging as offered by carriers. Obviously, this will cost you a little more.

2. Protection of the laptop

In order to prevent your shipped computer from suffering shocks during the journey, you will have to pad your package. For this, you can use padding material: bubble wrap, foam film, newspaper, polystyrene or dunnage chips, absorbent cotton etc.

A laptop is nothing without its battery and charger, so don't forget to put them in your package! You will have to pack them individually to avoid shocks between the different elements sent. You can wrap these accessories with bubble wrap, foam film, etc. or place them in their original shipping boxes if you have kept them.

Once all items are protected, place them in the cardboard box you intend to ship. Remember to fill in any gaps in the box.

3. Closing the package

Seal your box properly using strong, wide tape. Remember to reinforce the top and bottom opening areas.

Nothing should protrude from the package: no flaps, no handles, no string. This could cause inconvenience when the shipment is processed and be refused by the carrier.

The package should not attract attention, so avoid any sign that a computer is inside (visible computer, particular mentions or labels etc.). Also, do not use fancy packaging to avoid attracting attention.

4. Final checks and precautions

In order to maximize the smoothness of the expedited order, add shipping labels or write the word "FRAGILE" on your box. This way, the carrier will take into account the fact that your package is fragile when handling it. This step is to be taken as a precaution, but it does not engage the responsibility of the carrier in case of problem.

The shipping label, the one indicating the postal address of delivery, should be glued on a flat and smooth surface of the box. Avoid placing it on a corner or on an opening so that it remains intact.

For a reused box, remember to remove any previous barcodes and/or old labels.

5. Postage

Before wondering the cost of shipping, you should start by weighing your package. On average, a laptop computer weighs between 2 and 3 kg, to which the weight of the charger must be added.

To send your parcel, you can opt for the following carriers: UPS, USPS, DHL, TNT, DPD, Fedex etc.

Each shipping carrier can deliver your packages around the world (domestic shipping and international shipping). Their differences will be in terms odelivery options (delivery times, next day delivery, standard delivery, express delivery, overnight delivery, shipping destination…) and shipping rates / shipping prices.

You can use a parcel shipping rate comparator (shipping calculator such as ParcelMonkey or Packlink) to help you make your choice between the different delivery services offered by the different shipping carriers. Several criteria come into play to determine the shipping price: the destination country, method of shipment, additional shipping costs, weight of the package etc.

Your package is lost or damaged during transport? If the responsibility of the carrier is established, you can be compensated for the insurance value of the goods, the amount of its repair or the direct expenses of reconstitution of the documents, on presentation of documentary evidence.

In order to benefit from a shipping insurance’ advantages during the shipping process, you must first take out a third party insurance to guarantee the goods being transported. Secursus is an online shipping insurance that you can use! Secursus offers reliable shipping insurance for your good in case of lost items, theft or damage. We protect items shipped via shipping service such as DHl, USPS, UPS, Fedex etc. Secursus protects your item up to 120,000$!