A 2013 survey conducted by StellaService found that one out of every 10 shipments gets damaged in transit. If you ship hundreds or even thousands of packages each week, that can add up to a significant number of losses, not to mention unhappy customers.

Though there’s no way to prevent damage entirely, there are things you can do to significantly lower risk. Most importantly, practice proper packaging techniques. If you want to ensure your products safely get from point A to point B, go the extra mile and make sure the box is adequately sized and sealed and includes adequate postage.

General packaging tips

First things first, make sure that any box you use is sturdy, undamaged and has all of its flaps intact. If a box has holes, a missing wall or a lack of flaps, get rid of it. Also, try to avoid shipping things in shoe or gift boxes. These boxes only contain a single cardboard panel and are easily damaged in transit. You can keep the shoe or gift box, just make sure to nestle it inside a heavier cardboard offering.

If you’re shipping bottles or liquids, keep them upright. For delicate items such as plates, electronics or decorations, use bubble wrap or tissue paper as padding. You might even want to wad up balls of butcher or construction paper to prevent things from slipping or sliding around.

Sealing your package

Once all of the items in your box are secure, it’s time to seal it up. We recommend using pressure-sensitive plastic or water-activated tape. When applying the tape, run it evenly across all of the box’s seams from top to bottom and side to side. Press your palm and fingers down firmly on top of the tape to ensure it grips the cardboard.

Whatever you do, avoid using duct tape, masking tape or string. These types of sealants are capable of amazing feats on their own, but they make poor packaging materials.

For additional packaging tips, tricks, and insights, check out this guide from FedEx.