We have all seen the viral videos of delivery drivers tossing boxes over fences. If you are planning fragile items shipping, that image is your worst nightmare. Whether you are sending vintage ceramics, expensive electronics, or glass bottles, relying on a simple "Fragile" sticker is not enough. Automated sorting hubs use conveyor belts and chutes where stickers go unseen. At ParcelParcel, we know that the safety of your shipment is 90% preparation. This guide covers the professional standards for packaging fragile items for shipping so they arrive in perfect condition.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
If you are searching how to send a fragile package securely, you must use the Double-Box Method. This is often a requirement for insurance claims with carriers like FedEx or UPS.
Inner Box: Wrap your item in 5cm of bubble wrap and place it in a small box. It should fit snugly with no movement.
Outer Box: Take a second, larger box (at least 15cm larger in all dimensions).
The Cushion: Fill the bottom of the outer box with packing peanuts or crumpled kraft paper.
Combine: Place the inner box into the center of the outer box. Fill all remaining sides and the top with more cushioning.
The Shake Test: Before sealing, shake the box. If you hear anything moving or sliding, you have not used enough filler.
Shipping liquids is risky. If a bottle breaks, it destroys not just your package, but other people's shipments too.
When dealing with liquid fragile perishable items (like olive oil, wine, or artisanal vinegar):
Seal the Cap: Use tape around the lid to prevent it from unscrewing due to vibration.
Waterproof Bag: Place the bottle inside a sealed Ziploc or watertight bag.
Absorbent Material: You must include absorbent mats or paper inside the bag. If it leaks, the liquid must be contained within your package.
People often ask about specific carriers, such as fragile shipping fedex policies.
The truth is, major express carriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) do not have a separate "gentle hands" service for standard parcels. Your box will go through the same automated belts as a box of books.
FedEx/DHL: Reliable and fast, which reduces the time your package is at risk.
Freight Pallets: If you are shipping a large volume of fragile goods, palletizing them is safer than sending loose boxes.
Does "Fragile" tape work? Use it, but do not rely on it. It alerts the final delivery driver, but it does not stop a 50kg box from sliding down a chute behind your package. Packaging fragile items for shipping correctly is your only real defense.
Standard carrier liability is often limited by weight (e.g., approx €10 per kg). If you are shipping a 1kg porcelain vase worth €500, standard liability will only pay you ~€10 if it breaks.
For sending fragile items by post or courier, we strongly recommend adding ParcelParcel Transporgarantie. It covers the full value of the goods against damage, provided they were packed correctly.
Protect your valuables. Don't leave it to chance. Get a quote with ParcelParcel and add our premium insurance to ensure your fragile shipments are fully covered.
If using standard post, the risk is higher due to longer handling times. Ensure you use rigid boxes (not flimsy shoe boxes) and ample bubble wrap. The "Double-Box" method described above is your best bet for postal networks.
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FedEx sells boxes, but they do not usually pack the item for you unless you go to a "FedEx Office" location and pay for packing services. For standard fragile shipping fedex pickups, the driver expects the box to be ready and sealed.
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Bubble wrap (small bubbles for small items, large bubbles for heavy items) is standard. However, Packing Peanuts (biodegradable ones are best) are superior for filling void spaces because they prevent the item from migrating to the side of the box.
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Yes, but check the import regulations of the destination country. Also, ensure the food has a shelf life of at least 6 months if shipping internationally, as customs delays can happen.
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Take photos immediately. You need photos of:
The damaged item.
The inner packaging (bubble wrap).
The outer box (showing the label and any external damage). Do not throw away the packaging until the claim is resolved. Contact our support team to start the claim process.
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You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
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Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
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You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
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Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
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A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
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You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
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You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
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