Top 10 Tips for Packing and Shipping Skis Internationally
Skis and ski poles have no other way of being shipped apart from being shipped as luggage. Given their nature, they stand a very high risk of being damaged during transit. It is, thus, important that for anyone who is looking to ship skis internationally get everything right from the packing. Proper packaging and shipment ensure that the skis get to their destination safely without any damage. As such, RunRex has established the following tips that you can reference to ensure you have a smooth shipment of your skis.
1. Know the shipping policies for your travel destination
Different countries have different shipping policies for sports equipment. As such, you should ensure that you are conversant with the policies for your country of destination before you ship your skis. In case you do not comply with the policies and the set regulations, you risk your skis being shipped back. That will inconvenience you such that you will be charged for the return shipment and you risk missing out on skiing or spending more cash on equipment rentals. Taking that extra step of complying with the policies can go a long way in ensuring you have a great experience.
2. Use box that is strong enough
The nature of skis makes them highly vulnerable to damage. If they are not packed in a box that is strong enough, the risk of them getting damaged during shipment is highly increased. As such, it is important to get a box that is strong enough for the sake of their safety. Avoid reusing boxes unless their structure and integrity are intact. There are various companies that sell boxes specifically for shipping skis.
3. Use shipping boxes of the right size
Again, when packing, ensure that the box you use is of the right size. If the box is too small, you risk damaging the skis since they will be pressing on the walls of the box hence can be knocked or hit and get spoilt. Boxes that are too large will cause the skis to move around in the excess space hence can cause them to break. Ensure the ski box is of the right size.
4. Use a ski bag as an alternative
You can, also, use the ski bags. These bags are usually uniquely designed to protect your skis from damage during transit sufficiently. The beauty of ski bags is that they allow you to carry some pieces of clothing and other gear inside it too. You should, however, ensure that you have a padded bag and fasten the bag’s zippers and straps to make sure safe shipment of your skis. Otherwise, the skis stand a higher risk of being damaged as compared to shipping using ski boxes.
5. Reinforce the box with tape
As an extra precautionary measure, ensure that you heavily reinforce the corners and opening points of the ski box with strong tape. It will make sure that the skis remain intact inside the box throughout transit.
6. Use a shipping company
Shipping companies always provide a cheaper option for shipping skis as airlines usually have expensive shipping charges. Shipping companies allow you to save on the shipment costs and minimizes the risk of loss or damage to your shipment during transits. Bulk shipments can, also, earn you discounts for the shipping process.
7. Include luggage tags inside and outside the box being shipped
Shipment tags often come off during transit. Having another tag inside the box can provide you with an avenue to tracing your skis. Another option is adding labels on the shipment box instead. You can stick them up with tape or glue. This external tags and labels will help you to identify your ski box easily upon arrival at the destination.
8. Always arrange for your shipment on time for convenience
Make sure you ship your ski luggage early enough to avoid any hitches in your schedule. Having them shipped on time, also, gives you room to resolve any issues that may arise during the shipment. For instance, if your skis happen to end up in the wrong destination, get damaged or get lost during shipment, you get the chance to organize to have other equipment early.
9. Have insurance cover for your shipment
Having insurance cover for your shipment is a way for you to reduce the financial impact on your side in case your ski equipment is damaged or lost during transit. In the unfortunate event that your ski is lost or damaged, your insurance service provider will help settle the claims fast and have them replaced. It helps minimize the time one would spend trying to settle the claims with their carrier.
10. Track your shipment from the time you hand it over to the shipping company
Ensure that you communicate with the shipping company to track your skis as they are being shipped. Have them provide you with regular updates on the status of your shipment. Also, contact the destination of your shipment early enough to ensure that they know what shipment to expect and at when to expect it.