Select shipping bags: protection, format and closure

A shipping bag can be lighter and more compact than a carton. It must still fit the contents. For a document, different characteristics are crucial than for clothes, books, or small sensitive articles. Therefore, start with the protection requirement and check material price and shipping format only afterwards.

Main types of construction

Shipping bag	Typical purpose	Pay attention to this
Unpadded paper	Documents, light flat content	No reliable bend protection without reinforcement
Cardboard delivery bag	Photos, documents, flat books	Matching fill height and edge fixation
Padded bag	Small, slightly sensitive articles	Match upholstery to all loads
Plastic shipping bags	Suitablely packaged textiles	No own shock or kink resistance
Wrinkle pocket	More voluminous documents	Expansion dimension and closure reserve

Compare usage instead of external dimension

With padded pockets, welds and upholstery can reduce the interior. A given size is therefore not always the available usage measure. Measure the content including its inner packaging and compare it with the specifically mentioned inner dimension.

The strength of the content influences how much width and length remain after insertion. A sample is recommended for recurring shipments. The buckle must be completely closed without excessive tension; the bag must not be overloaded at edges and seams.

Plan closure and return

An adhesive closure with pull-off strips allows quick packing. A second closure strip can be useful for returns. Test the adhesion on a clean surface and observe storage conditions as well as manufacturer instructions. A tamper-indicating closure can make interventions recognizable, but does not prevent them guaranteed.

What doesn’t belong unprotected in a bag?

Glass, sensitive electronics, sharp objects and products with protruding parts usually require an additional protective packaging or a carton. Even a padded envelope does not automatically provide sufficient protection against heavy pressure loads. Document bags on the outside of the carton are intended for accompanying documents, not as a replacement for the actual product packaging.

Check before handover

1. Secure content against movement and direct contact with the closure.
2. Remove old labels when reused or completely unrecognizable.
3. Attach new address and barcode flat, legible and without wrinkles.
4. Measure and weigh the finished parcel.
5. Check current measurement, weight and content conditions of the German shipping service.

Evaluate the disposal: Separate inner cushions or a pure paper construction can make sorting easier. The concrete material composition is more decisive than a general advertising statement.