Taboos in Fragile Goods Transportation: 10 Mistakes That Guarantee Damage!

In the context of fragile goods transportation, “damage” is rarely accidental—it is often caused by a series of taboo operations that “should not be done but are still carried out”: using single-layer cartons for glass products, letting fragile items shake freely inside boxes, choosing ordinary logistics without protective measures… These seemingly “convenient” actions actually push fragile goods into the abyss of “inevitable damage.” According to logistics industry data, 80% of fragile goods damage stems from human operational errors rather than force majeure, with three major categories of taboo operations—”non-compliant packaging,” “improper transportation,” and “rough handling”—accounting for over 60% of cases.

This article focuses on the full chain of fragile goods transportation, identifying 10 high-risk taboo actions across four links: packaging, transportation, loading/unloading, and sign-off. Each taboo is analyzed with real cases to explain the risk consequences, and practical “correct operation plans” are provided to help you completely avoid pitfalls in fragile goods transportation.

I. Taboo 1: Using “Inferior/Mismatched” Packaging Materials – Saving Small Money Leads to Big Losses

Taboo Behavior: To cut costs, use inferior or mismatched materials for packaging fragile goods, such as thin bubble wrap (thickness < 0.1mm), single-layer corrugated cartons (bursting strength < 800kPa), or used newspapers (not crumpled into balls). Examples include packing ceramic bowls in ordinary plastic bags and covering glass photo frames with courier bags.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Inferior materials fail to provide effective cushioning and protection: thin bubble wrap breaks easily under pressure and cannot absorb vibrations during transportation; single-layer cartons lack load-bearing capacity and deform or collapse when stacked; newspapers not crumpled into balls have no cushioning effect, allowing fragile items to collide directly inside the carton.

Real Case: An e-commerce merchant packaged 20 glass cups in single-layer cartons with thin bubble wrap and shipped them to a customer in another city. During transportation, the cartons were crushed by other goods. Upon unpacking, 18 cups were broken, resulting in direct losses exceeding 500 yuan, plus additional costs for return shipping and negative reviews from the customer.

Correct Practice:

1. Select materials based on “fragile goods value + characteristics”:

• Low-value fragile goods (e.g., glass cups): Use 5-layer corrugated cartons + thickened bubble wrap (thickness ≥ 0.15mm);
• Medium-to-high-value fragile goods (e.g., ceramic tea sets, DSLR lenses): Use EPE foam (thickness ≥ 5mm) + custom foam molds + solid wooden crates (for high-value items);

2. Reject “damaged reused materials”: Materials like cartons with cracked edges or bubble wrap with burst bubbles have lost their protective properties and must be replaced with new ones.

II. Taboo 2: Leaving “Large Gaps” Between Goods and Cartons – Allowing Fragile Items to “Shake Freely”

Taboo Behavior: When packaging, only use a small amount of cushioning material to wrap fragile items, leaving unfilled gaps (> 2cm) between the goods and the carton. For example, placing a single vase in a carton three times its size, with only one layer of foam at the bottom and no filling on the sides.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

During transportation, vehicle vibrations and turns cause fragile items to shake violently inside the carton and collide with the inner walls: a vase may hit the side of the carton during sudden braking, leading to cracks; glass products may shift out of the cushioning material due to continuous shaking, losing protection entirely.

Real Case: A user shipped a laptop (with a screen) in a large carton, placing only one piece of foam on each side of the laptop without filling the gaps. During courier transportation, the laptop slid inside the carton, and the screen hit the corner of the carton. Upon receipt, the screen was broken, with repair costs exceeding 2,000 yuan.

Correct Practice:

1. Follow the “seamless fit” principle: The carton should be only 5-10cm larger than the fragile item to avoid excessive size;
2. Fill gaps: Use fluffy filling cotton, broken bubble wrap, or crumpled newspapers to fill all gaps. Ensure no “collision sounds” are heard when shaking the carton;
3. Secure key parts: Wrap fragile areas (e.g., vase necks, laptop screens) with 2-3 extra layers of bubble wrap, then fix them to the inner wall of the carton with tape to prevent shifting.

III. Taboo 3: Mixing “Different Types of Fragile Goods” in One Carton – Causing Mutual “Damage”

Taboo Behavior: For convenience, mix fragile goods of different materials and shapes in one carton (e.g., glass wine glasses, ceramic plates, and metal photo frames) without any separation measures.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Different fragile goods vary greatly in hardness and fragility: the delicate stems of glass wine glasses can be broken by hard metal photo frames; the smooth surfaces of ceramic plates are prone to scratches or cracks when colliding with glass products; sharp fragile items (e.g., glass ornaments) may pierce the cushioning material of other goods.

Real Case: A user moving house mixed glass bowls, ceramic spoons, and metal tableware in one carton without separation. After transportation to the new home, the glass bowls had scratches from the metal tableware, and 3 ceramic spoons were crushed, resulting in losses exceeding 300 yuan.

Correct Practice:

1. “Separate packaging by category”: Pack similar fragile goods in one carton (e.g., glass products separately, ceramic products separately);
2. “Isolation protection”: If mixing is unavoidable, use cardboard or EPE foam to divide the carton into independent small compartments, placing one fragile item per compartment to avoid direct contact;
3. “Separate heavy and light items”: Place heavy fragile goods (e.g., ceramic pots) at the bottom of the carton and light fragile goods (e.g., glass cups) on top to prevent heavy items from crushing lighter ones.

IV. Taboo 4: Not Adding “Warning Labels” – Leading to Logistics Staff “Misoperation”

Taboo Behavior: After packaging, no warning labels are attached to the carton, or only small characters saying “Fragile” are used. Logistics staff cannot quickly identify the goods, leading to stacking, inversion, or rough handling.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Logistics warehouses process thousands of items daily. Without clear warnings, fragile goods may be treated as ordinary cargo: pressed at the bottom of stacks (bearing the weight of multiple layers), placed upside down (e.g., wine bottles inverted, causing corks to fall out and leak; or precision instruments inverted, damaging internal parts), or thrown randomly during loading/unloading.

Real Case: A company shipped a precision optical instrument without attaching “Fragile” labels to the carton, only writing “Handle with Care” in small characters on the waybill. Logistics staff mistakenly treated it as ordinary goods and stacked three heavy items on top of it, causing the instrument’s internal lens to shift. Repair costs exceeded 10,000 yuan.

Correct Practice:

1. Attach “high-visibility warning labels”: Use eye-catching colors (red, yellow) to mark “Fragile,” “Handle with Care,” “Do Not Stack,” and “This Side Up” in font sizes ≥ 5cm. Attach one label to the front, side, and top of the carton;
2. Add “written reminders”: Use a bold pen to note “Contains precision fragile items – manual loading/unloading required” on the waybill, and include the shipper’s phone number for logistics staff to consult if questions arise;
3. “Special marking for high-value goods”: Wrap red tape around the carton (to distinguish it from ordinary goods) or stamp a “Fragile Goods Only” seal on the waybill.

V. Taboo 5: Choosing “Unqualified Ordinary Logistics” – Entrusting Fragile Goods to “Amateurs”

Taboo Behavior: To save shipping costs, choose ordinary logistics companies without experience in fragile goods transportation or protective equipment. Examples include using freight companies that only transport clothing to ship glass curtain walls, or sending precision medical equipment via ordinary couriers.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Ordinary logistics lack core capabilities for fragile goods transportation: no shockproof vehicles equipped with air suspension (vibration frequency during transportation exceeds 3Hz, far beyond the tolerance range of fragile goods), no professional loading/unloading teams (prone to rough handling), and no dedicated storage areas for fragile goods (goods may be stacked randomly). High risks exist in every link from order acceptance to delivery.

Real Case: An engineering company used an ordinary freight company to transport 10 glass curtain walls (each worth 5,000 yuan). The freight vehicle had no shockproof devices, and the glass was pushed directly with a forklift during loading/unloading. Upon arrival, 8 glass panels were broken due to vibration and collision, resulting in losses exceeding 40,000 yuan and delaying the project schedule.

Correct Practice:

1. Select logistics with “fragile goods transportation qualifications”: Check for “special permits for fragile goods transportation” and “ISO logistics quality certification.” Prioritize companies with dedicated fragile goods lines, such as SF Express and JD Logistics;
2. Verify “protective capabilities”: Request photos or certificates of shockproof vehicles (equipped with air suspension) and professional loading/unloading tools (e.g., hydraulic forklifts, cushioning pallets) to avoid verbal promises;
3. Sign a “special contract”: Clearly stipulate the fragile goods damage rate (≤1% for high-quality logistics), claim procedures, and liability definition to avoid disputes later.

VI. Taboo 6: “Losing Contact” During Transportation – No One Handles Abnormal Situations

Taboo Behavior: After shipping, no tracking of the goods’ transportation status is done, and the logistics company does not provide real-time positioning. When abnormalities occur during transportation (e.g., vehicle breakdowns, delays due to heavy rain), no timely intervention is possible, leaving fragile goods exposed to high-risk environments for extended periods.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Unaddressed abnormalities escalate risks: if goods are left in an open parking lot after a vehicle breakdown, heavy rain may soak the cartons (reducing the compressive strength of softened cartons); in high temperatures, goods trapped in the vehicle may cause plastic fragile items (e.g., acrylic products) to deform; prolonged delays may lead to secondary transshipment (increasing loading/unloading times).

Real Case: A user shipped a ceramic vase to southern China. During transportation, a typhoon hit, and the logistics vehicle was stranded at a service area for 2 days without the goods being moved indoors. The typhoon caused water to enter the vehicle, soaking the carton and cracking the vase after water damage. The logistics company refused full compensation, citing “force majeure.”

Correct Practice:

1. Require “real-time tracking”: Choose logistics companies that provide GPS positioning and real-time updates via logistics apps. Check the goods’ location and status at least twice a day;
2. Agree on an “abnormal response mechanism”: Specify in the contract that the logistics company must notify the shipper within 1 hour of discovering abnormalities (e.g., delays, weather impacts) and provide solutions (e.g., moving goods to a warehouse, replacing vehicles);
3. Proactively “intervene in abnormalities”: If goods are delayed for over 24 hours, immediately contact the logistics company to verify the reason. If necessary, request goods to be moved or expedited to avoid long waits.

VII. Taboo 7: No Supervision During Loading/Unloading – Acquiescing to “Rough Handling”

Taboo Behavior: During loading/unloading, neither the shipper nor the consignee supervises on-site. To save time, logistics staff engage in rough handling such as throwing boxes, kicking boxes, or stacking too high. For high-value fragile goods, the risk of damage doubles without supervision.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Loading/unloading is the “most damage-prone” link in fragile goods transportation: the damage rate of glass products dropped from a height of 1.5 meters exceeds 90%; ceramic products stacked over 3 layers often see bottom-layer items crushed; when forklift tines pierce cartons during handling, internal fragile goods are damaged directly.

Real Case: A shopping mall purchased a batch of glass display cabinets. No one supervised the unloading, and logistics staff threw the cartons containing the cabinets directly from the truck (height ~1.2 meters). Upon unpacking, 70% of the display cabinet glass was broken. The mall had to repurchase the cabinets, delaying its opening.

Correct Practice:

1. “Supervise high-value goods”: For items like antique porcelain or precision instruments, the shipper or consignee must supervise loading/unloading on-site to prevent rough handling by logistics staff;
2. Clarify “loading/unloading standards”: Inform logistics staff of requirements in advance, such as “no throwing,” “max 2 layers for stacking,” and “use cushioning pallets for handling.” Provide written guidelines if necessary;
3. Use “tool assistance”: Require logistics to use hydraulic forklifts (to avoid manual handling errors), cushioning pallets (to reduce friction between cartons and the ground), and lift platforms (for seamless truck-to-warehouse transfer, avoiding handling height differences).

VIII. Taboo 8: Choosing “LCL Shipping” for Long-Distance Transportation – Letting Fragile Goods “Be Crushed”

Taboo Behavior: For international transportation of fragile goods, “less than container load (LCL) shipping” is chosen to save costs. Fragile goods are mixed with other ordinary goods (e.g., furniture, hardware parts) in one container, with no independent protective space.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Containers for LCL shipping hold a mix of goods with varying weights and volumes: heavy goods (e.g., metal parts) may press on fragile items, causing deformation or cracking; sharp goods (e.g., furniture edges) may pierce fragile goods’ packaging; ship vibrations during navigation cause goods to collide with each other, leaving fragile items without cushioning protection.

Real Case: A foreign trade company exported a batch of ceramic tableware to Europe via LCL shipping. The container also held heavy mechanical parts, which shifted during the voyage and pressed on the tableware cartons. Upon arrival at the destination port, 90% of the tableware was crushed, resulting in losses exceeding 100,000 yuan plus compensation for customer penalties.

Correct Practice:

1. Choose “full container load (FCL) shipping” for long-distance/international transportation: Rent a dedicated container for fragile goods to avoid mixing with other items. Use wooden frames to fix goods inside the container to prevent shifting during ship vibrations;
2. Select “professional freight forwarders for fragile goods”: Forwarders should be familiar with international fragile goods standards (e.g., EU ISTA packaging test standards) and provide moisture-proof and shockproof container services (e.g., attaching moisture-proof film, placing cushioning materials inside the container);
3. Purchase “marine all-risk insurance”: Cover damage caused by compression, collision, or moisture during transportation. Insure based on the actual value of goods to avoid insufficient compensation due to underinsurance.

IX. Taboo 9: “Signing Without Inspection” Upon Receipt – Difficulties in Claiming Compensation After Discovering Damage

Taboo Behavior: Upon receiving goods, the consignee signs the logistics waybill without unpacking and inspecting the goods. Later, when damage is discovered, the logistics company refuses compensation on the grounds that “sign-off confirms goods are intact,” leading to disputes between the shipper and consignee.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

The logistics industry defaults to “sign-off confirms goods are intact.” Signing without inspection means waiving the right to verify the goods’ condition on-site: if goods are damaged during transportation, the logistics company can deny responsibility after sign-off; the consignee cannot prove whether damage occurred during transportation or due to their own actions, making it extremely difficult to claim compensation.

Real Case: A user purchased a liquid crystal TV (a fragile item) online. The courier urged the user to sign upon delivery, and the user did not unpack and inspect the TV. After signing, the user opened the package and found the screen broken. When contacting the courier and seller, the courier claimed “no responsibility after sign-off,” while the seller argued “goods were intact when shipped.” Ultimately, the user paid 2,000 yuan for repairs.

Correct Practice:

1. “Inspect on-site without exception”: Request the logistics staff to stay present while unpacking and checking the fragile goods for damage. Focus on fragile parts (e.g., screens, glass surfaces);
2. “Document damage on-site”: If damage is found, immediately take photos (of the damaged goods, logistics waybill, and packaging) and videos. Ask the logistics staff to sign a “damage certificate” for confirmation;
3. “Refuse sign-off and contact the shipper”: For severe damage, refuse to sign, request the logistics company to return the goods, and contact the shipper to arrange reshipment or negotiate compensation. Avoid signing first, as this makes subsequent claims impossible.

X. Taboo 10: Ignoring “Special Environment Protection” – Letting Fragile Goods “Fail to Adapt”

Taboo Behavior: No targeted protective measures are taken when transporting in special environments (e.g., high temperature, low temperature, high humidity). Examples include shipping chocolate (which melts easily) in summer without a temperature-controlled box, transporting glass products (which become brittle in low temperatures) in winter without insulation, and shipping wooden fragile goods (which absorb moisture easily) in rainy seasons without moisture protection.

Why Damage Is Inevitable:

Special environments amplify the risk of damage to fragile goods