Packaging

Correct packaging facilitates and speeds up parcel handling.

Parcels undergo several handling processes, and so they should withstand normal shipping conditions such as pulling, shoving, abrasion, being squeezed and having other things piled on top of them. The consignor is responsible for ensuring that the contents are packed to withstand normal handling and do not cause any damage to any person or other goods being carried.

Matkahuolto accepts no liability for any damage to unpacked or poorly packed consignments.

Select a package of the right size

A package of the right size prevents damage in transit. Use padding to protect the item and prevent it from being in direct contact with the inner wall of the packaging. Do not leave any empty space around the item inside the package. Fill any empty space with pieces of Styrofoam, expanded polystyrene or bubble wrap. Make sure that the items cannot move around inside the package. Make the package as regular in shape as possible and do not leave anything hanging off of it or any protrusions that are susceptible to damage.

Several items in one package

Pack each item separately using bubble wrap, etc. Put the items in the package and place padding between and around them inside the package.

Multiple packages

If you are sending several individual parcels to a single recipient, send them separately without attaching them to one another. Attached parcels do not withstand the stresses they are subjected to in transit, which makes them susceptible to damage.

Seal the package carefully

Put all the items belonging to the consignment inside the package because any items attached to the outside of the package can easily be lost in transit.

Make the package as regular in shape as possible and do not leave anything hanging off of it. Use enough tape, string, staples, bands or other types of fastenings to ensure that the package is properly closed. The best way to seal the package is to use thick tape. Seal the seams of the package along their full length and make sure that they are strong enough. Take extra care to reinforce the bottom seam of the package. 

Consignments to be handled with care

Use an outer package with rigid walls made of a strong material. Place a thick (min. 5 cm) layer of cushioning material in the bottom of the package. Pack each fragile item separately using thick padding, such as bubble wrap. Newspaper padding does not provide enough protection. Place additional padding on top of the items before you close the package. Glue Matkahuolto’s ‘Handle with care’ stickers to the sides of the package. Stickers are provided by a Matkahuolto terminal or agent when you buy a ‘Handle with care’ delivery.

Containers and bottles containing liquid

Seal all liquids in a container or bottle and make sure that the cap or lid is firmly closed. Pack the containers in a strong packaging box so that they cannot move around inside the packaging. The package must contain filling material that will absorb the liquid if the container or bottle breaks. Pack wide-mouthed containers (e.g., berry buckets) in plastic bags. Tape the bag or tie the bag shut to make it watertight. Attach arrow labels clearly showing the position in which the package should be transported and handled.

Packaging large items or items of irregular shape

Prams, pushchairs and babyseats

Fold up the prams and pushchairs. Protect any textile surfaces with plastic or similar material. Secure parts that stick out or could come off easily with tape. Wrap the item completely in cardboard.

Bicycles, kicksleds, kickbikes and walkers

Protect any protruding parts of an assembled bicycle liable to be damaged or scratched carefully with bubble wrap and cardboard. Fold in all folding components and secure them in position with tape. Make sure that the bicycle wheels rotate freely. Do not lock the bicycle for transportation to facilitate moving and handling. When the bicycle is packaged for transportation as instructed, the charge specified in the Bicycle price list applies for consumers and the standard bicycle freight weight applies for contract customers (possible with Home Parcel and Business Parcel).

If the bicycle is disassembled, pack all components in a strong cardboard box, etc. The price for the carriage of a bicycle packed completely in a box is determined according to the size of the parcel.

Firearms

Protect the weapon with padding and protective material and pack in a durable cardboard box that will protect the contents from distortion and compression. A weapon packed in a soft case is always considered a poorly packed consignment, even if the case is padded or insulated. Only a hard-shell firearm case with padding on the inside to protect the firearm and means for fastening the firearm securely inside the case is considered proper packaging. Even so, always wrap a hard-shell firearm case at least in cardboard for safety reasons and to protect the case from scratches, etc.

Always send ammunition in a different consignment than the firearm itself. Cartridges are always considered dangerous goods and their packing and delivery is subject to guidelines and requirements for the transport of dangerous goods and objects.

Please note that for all consignments containing firearms, their parts or accessories, cartridges or dangerous ammunition, you must obtain the ‘To be collected in person’ extra service

Musical instruments

Protect the instrument with padding and protective material and pack in a durable cardboard box that will protect the contents from distortion and compression. An instrument packed in a soft care is always considered a poorly packed consignment, even if the case is padded or insulated. Only a hard-shell instrument case with padding on the inside to protect the instrument and means for fastening the instrument securely inside the case is considered proper packaging. However, it is also advisable to use additional packaging material around the case to protect it from damage in transit.

Textiles, e.g. carpets and rolls of cloth

Protect heavy textiles, such as rolls of carpets and cloth, by wrapping them in plastic or packing paper and take extra care to protect the ends of the rolls with cardboard, etc. Finally, package the items in cardboard or thick plastic. Plastic alone does not provide adequate protection because the ends of carpet and cloth rolls are subjected to stresses that plastic is not strong enough to withstand.

Furniture, full-size pieces and components

Protect the legs, edges and sides of pieces of furniture using plenty of padding and attach corner pieces to protect the corners. Pack all furniture in strong cardboard boxes. Do lot leave the legs or other protrusions sticking out. Wrap the individual furniture components in protective material one by one and place them inside the package in such a way that they cannot slide around and damage the furniture. Alternatively, you can place the loose components in a separate box. If the piece of furniture comprises fragile material such as glass, fix and protect it with special care and attach Matkahuolto’s ‘Handle with care’ labels on the packaging.

Protect each individual component of furniture delivered in parts, such as boards, using corner and edge protectors. Then insert padding on all sides of the components and place them in a strong box.

Long and narrow objects, e.g. Venetian blinds

Pack long, narrow objects, such as Venetian blinds, one by one in a cardboard box, corrugated board or tube. The outermost package must be rigid and strong enough to withstand bending, torsion, compression, abrasion, impact and having other items piled on top of the package.

It is not enough to shrink-wrap long and narrow items because plastic does not provide sufficient protection. Secure the items inside the packaging using padding and other fasteners to ensure that they cannot slide around inside the packaging. Use generous padding on all sides, e.g. expanded polystyrene, bubble wrap, corrugated board or Styrofoam. Protect the ends of the objects with great care because they are subjected to greater stresses in transit. With long objects, always use a solid wooden board to provide extra rigidity and ensure that the contents are not bent during transportation. It is advisable to use a board even with small items for additional rigidity if the packaging itself is not stiff enough or bends easily. Do not place any other items in the same package with long and narrow objects or tape other packages to it to avoid the package from being bent during transportation.

Car tyres

Place care tyres in plastic or cloth bags. With studded winter tyres place cardboard around the tread or otherwise protect them so that the studs do not stick out when handling the tyres. Always use cardboard to protect wheel discs and particularly aluminium wheel discs because plastic does not provide sufficient protection. Package the wheel bolts and send them in a separate parcel or tape them to the inside of the tyre. The Tyre Set Kit allows you to send five parcels (4 x tyres and bolts) at a time.

Car body parts

Bonnets, doors, boot lids, body panels, bumpers

Wrap each item completely in foam rubber or similar material to ensure that it is not in direct contact with the outer package. Bundle all the items in thick bubble wrap and protect all corners and edges with Styrofoam, cardboard or expanded rubber. 

Consider using additional padding if the weight or shape of the item is exceptional or unusual. For example, if the item is curved or has protrusions, take extra care in its packaging. Finally, place the item in a cardboard box making sure that all the contents are completely inside it. 

Do not place other items in the same package to prevent damage to the items during transit. Plastic packaging alone is not sufficient for these items.

Car lights

Package the lamps in a strong cardboard box with padding to prevent the lights from moving around inside the box and to isolate them from the walls of the packing box. Do not pack any other items in the same box.

A sales package is seldom rigid enough to serve as a transportation package. Use a rigid cardboard box as the outermost package.

Car windshields and other windows

Place the windshield or other window in a plywood box, wooden crate or rigid cardboard box. Provide plenty of padding on all sides of the glass to make sure that the item cannot move around inside the package. Do not place any other items in the same package. Glass items wrapped only in plastic are not properly packaged.

Engines, gearboxes and other machine parts containing oil or fuel

Drain any oil or fuel out of the machine or device before packing it. Always place the item in a suitable plastic box. Add filler material to the box that will absorb any liquid that may leak from the item.

Unpacked machines, mechanical components and devices are not accepted for carriage by Matkahuolto.