Please read the following guidance for packaging specific items carefully before preparing an order for Uncommon Goods. This will help us process your order more quickly and ensure our customers have a wonderful experience.
Overview
Packaging needs and considerations can vary depending on the type of item(s) you have. The Uncommon Goods warehouse operation runs more smoothly and efficiently when we partner with our vendors to ensure every item meets our general packaging requirements and specific packaging considerations. In addition to the packaging information below, there could be additional packaging requests, requirements and considerations specific to your item(s) that will be communicated with you before or after we have added your item(s) to our assortment. If you need to change or adjust your packaging at any point, please inform our Merchant team and our Operations team at quality@uncommongoods.com at least 30 days before your next shipment to one of our warehouses.
General questions that can help you navigate the following sections:
- Is my item glass, ceramic, clay, or can easily shatter if dropped? (See Fragile Items)
- Will typical box or bag packaging not protect my item because it has a unique shape? (See Sharp Items and/or Large and Irregularly Shaped Items)
- Is my item wearable or otherwise something that should not get dirty or dusty in a warehouse? (See Soft Goods)
- Does my item have contents that could spill easily? (See Liquids and/or Powder/Pellet/Granual Merchandise)
- Is my item smaller than a business card and could easily get lost or misplaced? (See Small Items)
- Does my item need to be rolled in packaging, like posters and maps? (See Rolled Goods)
- Does my item have consumable contents that will expire? (See Products with Expiration Dates)
Specific items covered in this section:
- Fragile items
- Sharp items
- Jewelry
- Soft goods and Children’s Items
- Powder, Pellet, and Granular Merchandise
- Liquids
- Small Items
- Rolled Goods (Posters, Maps, and Mats)
- Large and Irregularly Shaped Merchandise
- Products with Expiration Dates
- Products with Care Instructions
Fragile Items
Fragile items should be packaged in either a six solid-sided box, or completely secured in bubble wrap, so the item is not exposed in any way. If your item is extremely fragile, please note it with “Fragile” stickers on the individually packaged items and on the carton or case pack.
Suggested packaging materials
- Boxes
- Dunnage, like heavy weight Kraft paper or bubble wrap
DO:
- Individually wrap or box all merchandise to prevent damage. For example, in a set of four wine glasses, each individual wine glass should be wrapped
- Box fragile merchandise with six solid sides, in case the unit is tossed around while in transit
- Make sure your packaged merchandise can be dropped from arm’s height from every angle without damage.
DON’T:
- Leave empty space in the package
- Use Styrofoam or other non-biodegradable packing material
Sharp Items
Sharp items have a sharp or pointed edge and, if exposed, present a safety hazard to Uncommon Goods team members and customers receiving the merchandise. Sharp items should be packaged so that the sharp or pointed edge will not become exposed during receipt, stocking, shipment preparation, or shipment to the customer.
Suggested packaging materials:
- Boxes
- Thick Kraft paper or bubble wrap (secured around sharp point)
- Cardboard inserts (surrounding the sharp point)
DO:
- Ensure that packaging completely covers the sharp object.
- Use blister packs when possible. The blister pack should cover the sharp edge and be securely fastened to the merchandise, so it does not slide around within the blister pack.
- Secure the sharp merchandise to a footprint with a plastic fastener or similar restraint and wrap the merchandise in plastic if possible.
- Ensure the merchandise cannot cut through the packaging.
DON’T:
- Leave sharp edges exposed
Jewelry
All jewelry should be packaged in a craft box AND poly bag and labeled with the SKU barcode (see instructions for how to create barcodes here). Necklaces should be packaged such that the chain will not tangle. Any jewelry that is made of sterling silver must include an anti-tarnish pad. Glass jewelry should be packaged as fragile, such that the items cannot move inside the box or bag top prevent breakage.
Soft Goods and Children’s Items
Any product made of cloth or fabric, which can be damaged by dirt, dust, moisture, or tearing, as well as any product intended for Children age 13 and younger, should be placed in a sealed poly bag with a UPC barcode or a SKU label on the outside. Sets of two or more should be bagged together. Poly bags reduce the risk of damage during receipt, stocking, shipment preparation, or shipment to the customer.
Suggested Packing Materials
- Sealed Poly Bags
- Shrink Wrap
DO:
- Place individual merchandise in a clear, sealed poly bag
- Pack Sets of 2 or more together in the same sealed poly bag
- Place a scannable bar code or UPC visible on outside of each individual bag
DON’T:
- Allow bag or shrink wrap to protrude more than 3 inches past the dimensions of the product
- Include hangers
Powder, Pellet, and Granular Merchandise
Some merchandise contains powders, pellets, or granular material such as salts, sugars, sands, etc. Pellets, powders, and granular products are dry goods that are pourable and can cause damage during shipping and when stored. This merchandise should be packaged securely to protect Uncommon Goods team members, customers, and other products.
Suggested Packing Materials
- Glass containers
- Sealed Poly Bags
DO:
- Ensure the product’s cap has been tightened, if applicable, and each unit does not leak
- Individually wrap or box all merchandise to prevent damage
- Include a scannable UPC barcode on the outside of the packaging
DON’T:
- Ship in a package that has an insecure lid
Liquids
Liquids can cause damage during shipping and when stored. Pack liquids securely, including viscous products (such as honey). This ensures the protection of Uncommon Goods’ team members, other products, and our customers. A container of liquids should have a tightened lid or a double seal. Packaging should help contain accidental leakage as well.
Suggested Packing Materials
- Boxes
- Sealed Poly Bags
- Bubble wrap
DO:
- Ensure the product’s cap has been tightened, if applicable, and each unit does not leak
- Make sure your products have a double-seal or safety seal. A double seal is defined as a tightened lid that cannot be easily opened, and one of the following:
- A “safety seal” which is a peel-off seal underneath the lid of a product, like you would find on a new ketchup bottle
- A manufactured seal around the outside of the neck of the product
- Products that are not double-sealed should be individually bagged in transparent sealed bags or shrink wrap (minimum of .09 mil.)
- Make sure your packaged merchandise can be dropped from arm’s height from every angle without damage.
- Ensure that expiration dates are clearly visible through or on protective packaging, if applicable
DON’T:
- Ship products that are classified as Hazmat or have a Flash Point less than 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Ship any unit that is leaking.
Small Items
With the exception of jewelry, any product whose largest side is less than the width of a credit card (2-1/8”) needs to be packaged in a sealed poly bag with a UPC barcode or SKU label on the outside of the bag. This will help reduce the risk of the merchandise from being misplaced or lost and will protect the unit. For small items that are fragile, insert a sturdy material in the bag with it, like a square of cardboard or card stock, to prevent the item from being crushed. It will also be less likely to slip under box flaps and out of boxes during storage and shipping.
Suggested Packing Materials
- Sealed Poly Bags
- Cardboard or Card Stock
DO:
- Place individual merchandise in a clear sealed poly bag or appropriately sized box
- Sets of 2 or more should be packaged together in same sealed poly bag
- Place a scannable bar code or UPC visible on outside of each individual bag
- Include cardboard or card stock square in bag for smaller/more fragile items
DON’T:
- Force product in a bag that is too small
- Put product in a bag that is significantly larger than the unit
- Pack product in black or opaque bags
Rolled Goods (e.g. Posters, Maps, Mats)
Rolling and packing some items like posters and maps is essential for protecting the item. To help our warehousing and shipping operations, please make sure to follow the following guidelines.
Suggested packing material
- Long 6-Sided Box or Long Triangle Tube
- Heavy Plastic Bag (for non-paper merchandise)
- Tube Packaging (only if six-sided or triangular tubes are not available. Cylindrical tubes can roll and fall off stocking shelves and conveyer belts)
DO:
- Tightly roll merchandise with a protective sheet to prevent damage.
- Place merchandise in an appropriately sized 6-side long box, tube, or wrapped in a heavy plastic with a barcode or SKU label on the outside.
- Tape the caps of the tubes to prevent losing the product.
DON’T
- If using a tube, do not wrap barcodes around. Place them lengthwise or on end caps for easier scanning.
Large and Irregularly Shaped Items
Merchandise that is larger than 22 inches (22 x 14 x 8), can be difficult to warehouse and ship if not packaged correctly. Ideally, these items are placed in a box that can be shipped out as is (this is called a re-shipper box). Re-shipper boxes must protect the item adequately to withstand the shipping process with our carriers. Please follow these guidelines when packing the items.
DO:
Merchandise should be individually packaged in a re-shipper box
- Protext item with at least 3” of proper dunnage (Kraft paper or bubble wrap if sustainable alternative is not available) on all sides of item or item is secured with cardboard inserts
- Wrap all sharp edges and protrusions with bubble wrap or kraft paper.
- Securely tape box to ensure it will not open in transit to customer
- Package all components together in one box
- Place small pieces such as screws, nuts, and bolts together in a sealed bag inside the box.
- Pack re-shippers sent to Uncommon Goods in a larger box. Re-shippers should not have any shipping labels or unauthorized markings on the box.
Products with Expiration Dates
Our warehouse uses a First In, First Out (FIFO) methodology to manage items with expiration dates. Please ensure that items that will expire have expiration dates clearly visible on the outer most packaging, and, if applicable, on individual components within the package.
DO:
- Include the expiration date on the master carton in clearly visible font and on each unit. Lot numbers alone are insufficient.
- Display in MM-DD-YYYY format only, not MM/YYYY. A sticker with the correct format should be applied, covering the original format to avoid confusion.
- Place expiration dates on individual components AND on the outside packaging if those components will expire. These expiration dates should be visible to our warehouse team when receiving.
Products with Care Instructions
Any merchandise that requires special care or handling should include care instructions. Please ensure all relevant care instructions are communicated to your buyer during new item setup. Care instructions should be clearly printed on the outer packaging with the UPC barcode or SKU label as well as included in the inner packaging with product as specified. These guidelines show how to package merchandise in cartons for shipping to Uncommon Goods. Following these guidelines will help ensure merchandise arrives to our warehouse undamaged.