The primary consideration in shipping electronics is to ensure there is sufficient shock absorption in the packaging. Electronics are delicate, and must be immobilized and cushioned in the package to minimize the risk of damage while shipping. Ideally, you should ship the piece in the original packaging that was designed and engineered by experts to protect the piece thoroughly.
If you’re shipping electronics without their original packaging, the first step is to choose the right sized box. If it’s too big, then you won’t be able to pack in shock absorption efficiently, and if too small, then you won’t be able to pack in enough shock absorption.
The second step is to choose your shock absorption. You want something that conforms to the shape of the piece and fills the voids in the box efficiently and completely. For shipping electronics, Styrofoam “peanuts,” or custom foam bumpers are best, followed by inflatable plastic bag “shock absorbers,” or crumpled up paper.
Third, seal the box completely. That means covering all seams with packing tape, running the tape past the edge of the box and down the side for good anchorage, and running the tape both along the length and the width of the box, to provide excellent support.
