How can I prepare orders for inclement weather?
People and businesses have to ship goods even in times of bad weather. Although goods cannot be shipped in disastrous weather, such as during floods or a hurricane, other weather situations cause a delay in shipment. Heavy rains and snow storms can all cause your shipment to be delayed. Such weather situations might also cause your items to get damaged due to temperature changes or moisture. If you are temperature sensitive material or you aim to ship your items in adverse weather, these tips from RunRex will help you plan accordingly.
Low-temperature sensitive goods
When shipping goods that are sensitive to low temperatures in inclement weather, you might be tempted to skip some of the packing requirements that are meant to keep the items cold. This is especially so during winter when the weather is coldest. However, you should consider that the temperature inside the package will not always be the same as the temperature in the atmosphere.
When shipping low-temperature goods such as perishable food items, you should ensure that you insulate pack enough icepacks in the box to maintain the cold temperature. You should also ensure that the package is well insulated to avoid any temperature leaks.
During adverse weather conditions, shipments often get delayed as roads become impassable and flights get grounded. You should, therefore, anticipate that your shipment might be delayed by a day or two and make the necessary adjustments to preserve your items. Increase the icepacks in the box and be sure to label the package correctly so that in case of any delay, the shipping company will store the package in a cold place.
High-temperature goods
It is harder to ship goods that need to stay warm in inclement weather since the weather elements are working against you. The best option is to use heat packs in your packaging. These packs can last up to 30 hours.
You should also ensure that the package is well insulated to prevent heat loss. Since the heat packs do not last long, insulation will be critical to ensuring that your shipments arrive in the right condition, especially in case of any delays.
Labeling
Ensure that your package is properly labeled to ensure that it is handled correctly. Any items that require being stored in special temperature conditions should be appropriately labeled. Shipping companies have special storage facilities for these kinds of packages where they can be preserved in case of any weather delays.
Many shipping companies provide special labeling where you can indicate the temperature range for storing your package.
Know the rules
When it comes to special packaging for your items, there are specific rules that limit what you can and can’t do to regulate the package’s temperature if you want it to be shipped through a certain mode or carrier.
For instance, FedEx will require that you pack your goods accordingly such that they can last an extra day beyond the shipment’s delivery commitment for domestic cargo. This number increases to two days if you are shipping your goods outside the country.
Waterproofing
Wet and humid weather conditions increase the risk of your items being damaged by water or moisture. Metallic items can corrode easily when exposed to these elements while other organic items might accumulate mold, become soggy or just go bad due to exposure to water and moisture.
When shipping in such weather conditions, ensure that you use waterproofing methods to protect your items. One trick is to tape over the edges and joints of your shipping box since these are the weak points where water can sip through. You can also cover the shipping box in a plastic bag such as a garbage bag.
You can also use a desiccating agent such as silica gel packs to keep the package dry. This is especially important when shipping electronic items. Another option is shipping the item in an airtight container. Vacuum packing is a step better to airtight packing. The air and moisture are sucked out of the package before it is packed in an airtight container.
Plan ahead
Certainly, bad weather does not suddenly occur. The weather is seasonal, and meteorologists can predict the occurrence of bad weather days in advance. If you know that you are going to experience bad weather in the coming days, you should make your shipments well in advance. Don’t wait until the snow storm is near for you to ship your items. Remember, although weather prediction technology has advanced greatly, it is still prone to flaws and the storm might come sooner than expected.
Also, consider express shipping if you expect bad weather soon. The faster you get the package delivered, the lesser the chance that it will be delayed due to bad weather.
If you don’t manage to ship before the storm hits, you can also choose to delay shipping until the weather calms. This is especially useful for delicate items that might be damaged when exposed to water or moisture in transit.