The main function of any packaging, regardless of its type, is to protects the goods from damage. However, in some cases it is still better to learn about the types of packaging and how we work based on it. In the article below, we will talk about how Qwintry repacks the parcels we receive and why some particular packaging materials are needed in certain situations.
Types of packaging
Postal packaging (other terms used: Shipping box, Shipping packaging) is a simple cardboard box or plastic bag which seller uses for shipping your purchased items to us by mail. The shipping box serves as both postal and factory packaging. It’s typically a sturdy and inconspicuous box. A seller sticks a postal label on it and sends the items directly in it.
Factory packaging or Manufacturer packaging — packaging provided by the manufacturer at the factory. The goods are prepacked before they arrive to a retailer.
If you buy a refurbished or used product, it may come to our warehouse in the packaging from the seller that reconditioned it. Usually it is a hard box without additional markings, sometimes with a store logo, and sometimes without it. Inside, usually, there are goods packed neatly, but not in the way the manufacturer would have done.
Important: when buying refurbished or used goods, we highly recommend checking their compliance with the description through special requests. If something is wrong with the item, you can quickly and without unnecessary worry return it to the seller.
Gift packaging is a free or paid option offered by many stores, whereby your item is packed in special gift paper so that after receiving the item you can immediately remove it from the parcel box and gift it.
Important: we open and remove gift and postal packaging in the process of repacking, so you should avoid ordering it and paying extra for it. Unfortunately it is impossible to verify what the item is without removing the gift wrap.
Shoe box — a cardboard box which a manufacturer uses to pack shoes in. By design, it differs from a simple postal box. It is usually thicker and contains additional protective material (most often it is paper), and also has a lid.
Important: Qwintry offers a special shipping request called "Remove Shoe Boxes". This option allows you to choose whether to keep the original shoe box or remove it before shipping. Shoe boxes can be heavier than they seem, usually weighing between 250 and 500 grams. If you do not really need the box, removing it can help reduce shipping costs.
However, if you purchased expensive shoes or shoes that crease easily, it may be worth spending a few extra dollars to keep the original box for better protection during shipping.
After removing the boxes, we will pack the shoes in two separate bags and carefully repackage them for the delivery.
What type of packaging we always remove, and what type we do not open unless you request it.
Let’s look at the new Apple Watch as an example. At the factory, the manufacturer packed them in a factory box.
Before the shipment, the store put this factory box in a postal box, pasted on it a label with the address of our warehouse and sent it.
When you want to get the Apple Watch from our warehouse delivered, the original box will be passed on for repackaging. We will open the postal box and remove the watch from it in the factory packaging. The original postal box will be sent for recycling, and we will repack the watch still in the factory packaging in our box, stick a label with your address on it and send it to you.
This is what we do for all the packages, not just electronics. Without an exception we always open the postal packaging to ensure there are no prohibited items in the original package.
We don’t open the manufacturer packaging without your permission. We will not dispose of the manufacturer packaging of the watch even with the permission of the user. Without it, the chance of a product being damaged increases, so we have a simple rule — all electronics and vinyl are to stay packaged in the manufacturers original packaging.
Can the factory packaging be removed?
If you want to make the parcel as light as possible, you can ask to remove the factory packaging in the comments to the dispatch. However, we do not recommend doing this without much need, because the manufacturer packaging protects the product from damage and keeps it securely inside. Without it, the goods are much more likely to come to harm in the shipping process. In addition, a number of goods will not be insured without manufacturer packaging. Therefore, if something was to happen along the way to a laptop, you would not be able to get insurance for this.
If you want to make the parcel as light as possible, you can ask to remove the factory packaging in the comments to the dispatch. However, we do not recommend doing this without much need, because the manufacturer packaging protects the product from damage and keeps it securely inside. Without it, the goods are much more likely to come to harm in the shipping process. In addition, a number of goods will not be insured without manufacturer packaging. Therefore, if something was to happen along the way to a laptop, you would not be able to get insurance for this.
If you still want to remove the postal packaging, it is best to make a special request to remove the original packaging and to repack it as fragile goods.
First of all, sometimes the removal of the manufacturer packaging is a rather lengthy process which the packers simply do not have time for, and secondly, these types of goods have almost no chance stay undamaged if they are sent without factory packaging.
Can I keep the postal box?
Just as some customers are tirelessly trying to make the parcel as light as possible, others want to get their US purchase in its original form, so sometimes we see requests not to remove the postal packaging.
If you leave such a request in the comments for shipping, we will still open the postal packaging to make sure that there are no prohibited items inside, but after that the box won’t be removed and send for recycling. We will carefully put the item(s) back into the shipping box, seal it with tape at the place of opening, put it into our box and send it to you.
Collectible value of the packaging
However, all packages are different. This is especially true for any used goods. Quite often, sellers send used items without factory packaging. It also happens that several products are put into the same factory packaging at once. For example, a console and games for it. Another possibility that the factory box comes in poor condition: it is shapeless and breaking into pieces. We remove such packaging and repack the items carefully. If you need to get the factory packaging at any cost, please leave a note about this in the comments. And even if the packaging is already unusable, we will include it in the package anyway.
Despite what might seem fairly simple rules, sometimes our packers are faced with non-trivial situations when they have to make decisions based on circumstances.
Do you ship packages from the U.S. in the same shipping boxes they arrive in at your warehouse?
Our U.S. warehouse staff independently decide whether to keep or remove the original shipping packaging, such as mailing boxes, to help ensure your order is delivered safely. If an item arrives at the warehouse in a paper or plastic bag, it remains as is by default.
Additionally, you can request extra services, such as removing shipping packaging or shoe boxes, or keeping original shipping boxes. To do so, please use special requests or contact customer support.
Why does the item weight change after repacking, and how can I find out the final shipping weight?
The weight of a package always changes after repacking. We remove the original shipping packaging that the package arrived in at our warehouse and then repack the items into our own box suitable for international shipping. Once the package is fully prepared for shipment, we weigh it and issue the invoice based on the final shipping weight.
The package weight may either increase or decrease. This depends entirely on how much packaging we remove while preparing your shipment.
If you are shipping a single item, such as a smartphone, it is more likely that the shipping weight will increase compared to the weight recorded when the package first arrived at our warehouse. We remove the original box and replace it with a sturdier box better suited for international shipping, which may also be heavier.
Is it possible to send a parcel in a postal bag?
By default, we pack parcels in boxes, but sometimes we can also use a postal bag made of dense polyethylene, if the goods are suitable for shipment in such packaging, it doesn’t exceed the permissible dimensions and weight, and if the parcel is sent using the Qwintry Air and Qwintry Flash method.
Usually we use postal bags to pack individual items of clothing, such as jeans and similar unpretentious goods.
Often customers asked us to use such packaging for other products. If such a request comes from the client, we are ready to satisfy it. At the same time, please note, that in this case, insurance against damage to the shipment is not valid. Therefore, it is better to trust the our professional packers, who know from their own experience what can be packaged in a postal bag and what is better to be sent in a box.
However, it is important to remember that we will not send electronics, cosmetics and leather things in the postal bag, even if you request it, as it is extremely unsafe.
Items requiring special attention: jackets, bags, etc.
There are a number of products that require special attention when packaging. In particular, all jackets and bags. For jackets and similar items we always take out coat hangers and additional hard shoulder pads out, as they can tear the fabric during shipment. At the same time, we pack our jackets, like the rest of the clothes, as compact as possible. If it is important for you that the jacket comes as unwrinkled as possible without creases, this would require a larger box. As a result the cost for shipping will increase. Therefore, if you have any requests for packaging your jacket, do not forget to mention them in the comments.
Bags usually come from the store, filled with paper, so that during shipping they do not lose shape and do not wrinkle. We do not remove paper from bags without your request. If you want us to remove the filler, please do not forget to leave a comment asking for it.
Please note, that insurance does not apply to bag creases if the user himself asked to remove the filler, as well as damage to the jacket fabric from broken shoulders or hangers, if the user asked to leave them in.
Fragile goods
We do not recommend shipping fragile goods. This is a 13th item on our list of prohibited goods. Any fragile items , such as dishes, porcelain figurines, and medical devices require special packaging, and they are basically not intended to be sent in generic postal boxes. Therefore, we do not recommend ordering them. Quite often, such goods come in damaged.
However, if you are determined to order something fragile, you can do it at your own risk. Insurance for damage to fragile goods and related damage to other goods inside the parcel (if, for example, a fragment of a plate cuts a jacket) does not apply. For such parcels, we highly recommend that you at least choose additional packaging at checkout. It is better to make a special request for pre-packaging. If you leave a special request, we will pack the goods as carefully as possible and secure them in a separate box. The weight of the package will increase, but along with the weight, security will increase as well.
A little common sense goes long way to help make the shipping more secure: if you still decide to send fragile items, you should not send along with it in one package solid and heavy objects. It is impossible to secure the goods inside completely. Such a package will almost definitely arrive with some damage.
Is it possible to return some product back to my account during the packaging process or throw it away if I do not want to send it?
Please note that we cannot return any goods from the parcel back to your personal account. Packers do not do this. If you need to split the parcel, you can use the special split request option. The only exception to this rule is that the packer can dispose of any product in the package. To do this, please leave a clear request that you wish to dispose of certain goods, be specific on which items you want to throw away. This can come in handy if, for example, you ordered a bottle of perfume without reading our prohibitions. You don’t want to pay for the special request for splitting the parcel, because you do not plan to return them to the store. And along with the perfume in the package are the goods that you still want to receive.
In this situation, you can write in the comments for support:
Please throw away the Armani perfume bottle from my package when repackaging
If you still have any questions regarding our packaging, then you can check out our detailed FAQ’s section. You can also ask any questions through the «Support» section in your personal account. We are happy to help!