Barrel shipping can be a very economical way to ship items, especially if you have large quantities of goods that need to be delivered to a friend, relative or loved one in another country or across the nation. Barrel shipping is not the right solution in every situation but it often is a smart choice, provided that you pack your barrel carefully and follow some basic tips to ensure your shipment is a successful one.

To ensure that your barrel shipment is successful and that the things you are sending get to their recipients on time, intact and in good condition, here are a few important things for you to consider:

  • You need to choose the right shipping company. Not all companies offer barrel shipping and not all companies have established systems in place to handle this type of shipment. You want your shipping company not only to have regular routes to the location where your shipment is going but also to have experience with barrel shipments. This way, you can rest assured that the shipping company has the tools and resources to deliver your shipment and that they have local people on the ground in case anything goes wrong after your shipment has left the United States.
  • You need to plan smartly when purchasing items to pack in your barrel. It is always best to send items in their original packaging whenever possible. However, you also don’t want to take up a lot of space in your shipment with items that have bulky or awkward packaging. This means that you should look for things that are well-packaged and that are securely packaged but that don’t have excessive packaging to waste space.
  • Packing your barrel strategically can be a smart solution. This means, for example, putting the most breakable items into the center of the barrel and then surrounding them with items that are not prone to breakage. The items on the outside of the barrel will act as additional cushioning for anything that is packed in the center. If you are sending both food and toiletry items in your barrel, you also need to be smart about how you package those items so that any scented toiletry items don’t penetrate the food products. Keep these different items in separate locations within the barrel for the best results.
  • Understand customs requirements at your destination country. You may need to have an inventory of the items that are inside of the barrel in order for your shipment to pass customs. It is a good idea to know this in advance so that you can plan ahead as you are packaging your shipment.

These are a few key things that you should keep in mind in order to ensure your barrel shipment is successful. As long as you select the right shipping company and are smart in how you package your item, barrel shipping is a great, cost-effective, convenient and safe way to send shipments of many items around the world.