This packaging guideline should serve
you as a general support. Due to the
diversity and disparity of the goods,
which are in the parcels transported by
GLS, it is not possible to write a
guideline for each single type of goods
because:
The type and manner of packaging has
always to be chosen dependant on the
shipped goods, its weight and
sensitivity!!

To be able to provide you a high quality
service at a favourable price, the
transportation of parcels by GLS takes
place in so called joint cargo loads.
Furthermore, in the hubs and depots of
GLS an automatic conveyor belt system
is used for sorting. This all leads to a
higher strain (i.e. in the form of jolts,
vibration, etc.), which makes a good
inner and outer packaging essential.

Visual parcel control

Remove all old parcel labels, router
labels and other labels!
These types of labels are to be removed before the handover to GLS because their bar codes contain sorter information, which could lead to a false sorting. Consequently this type of double labelling can lead to delays in transit times

Applying the parcel label

To be able to ensure a smooth
processing of all parcels, as a basic
principle all relevant parcel labels are to
be attached to the largest side of the
parcel.

Don’t bundle your parcels

Please do not send your parcels
bundled, but always separately!
Thereby it is essential to attach the
necessary parcel label to each parcel.
During the transport, bundled parcels
can become loose, e.g. through
vibration. In this case the clear
allocation of the individual parcels is
not ensured anymore.

Packaging

The packaging is formed of three basic
parts:

• Outer packaging
• Padding / inner packaging
• Means of fastening

A good outer packaging is formed of a
carton which is of high quality, moisture
resistant and at least of double (with
heavy shipments triple) wall corrugated
cardboard. This must be extremely
resilient and especially guarantee a
secure protection of corners, surface
and edges. Therefore used cartons
should not be used again, as they often
already have signs of wear and thus do
not anymore have the stability of a new carton.

Padding / Inner packaging

Inside the carton all hollow spaces are
to be filled in with padding, so that the
goods in the parcel cannot move
around. The padding is to be chosen
based on the type of good to be
shipped, its weight and sensitivity.
With heavy and sensitive goods fitting
styrofoam parts are to be used.
Basically the padding must be suitable
to protect the parcels inside from jolts,
pressure and movement, and no direct
contact between the goods and the
outer packaging should be possible.
When shipping glass bottles we
suggest to use special packaging
particularly intended for this use.

Means of fastening

A further important part is the means
of fastening (i.e. tape). The heavier or
the larger the parcel is, the stronger the
means of fastening should be.
A secure means of fastening is at the
same time a transport insurance and a
proof of authenticity. The parcel should
in all cases be closed, so that no one can
access the contents without leaving
marks. Please use a well adhering tape
(when possible with your company
logo) to close the parcel properly on all
sides.