Chit Chats

Preparing your shipments for transit is one of the most important factors in a smooth and successful delivery. Issues with postage can impact delivery speed or can result in a failed delivery, while issues with packaging may result in damaged shipment contents.

Here are some common packaging mistakes for you to be aware of and to avoid.

Incorrect postage

For a successful and speedy delivery correct postage is key:  

• Double-check the shipment is going to the correct recipient
• Ensure that the address information is correct - don’t forget apartment or unit numbers
• Make sure your Chit Chats region is correct
• Review your weight & dimensions are inputted correct (this will help determine that your postage is not underpaid)

Incorrect or Insufficient packaging

Always take care to properly package your shipments to prevent any potential damage. 

• Don't package shipments in a different carrier’s shipping materials.
• Include extra padding for fragile items like bubble cushioning wrap, packing peanuts, foam inserts, etc. To ensure your shipment protected, it is recommended to have 2 or more inches of padding between your item and the outer packaging. 
• Some international destinations, like Brazil, have specific packaging restrictions. For instance, shipments to Brazil cannot use clear or transparent packaging. It is your responsibility to identify any packaging or shipping restrictions for your destination country.
• Add Chit Chats Insurance to your shipments when eligible.
• For “machinable” postage types avoid packaging that has bumps, no padding or ridged items like protective cardboard backing.
• Secure closures. Use extra tape or adhesive if necessary.
• Avoid gift wrapping shipments. Shipments may be subject to inspection.
• Refrain from reusing boxes, particularly those which might have structural weaknesses or images and brand names of prohibited items on the outside. (Ex. a box that would have contained alcohol.) 
• Remove any labelling that may indicate the previous contents contained a working battery.
• Ensure your packaging does not contain excessive writing, old postage or old address labels. 
• Taping boxes together is not recommended as they may come loose during transit.

Labelling errors

Create clarity by avoiding these labelling mistakes.

• Make sure your labels are legible. Never send labels that you cannot easily read ex. faded labels, labels printed too small, labels printed in poor quality. Pay special attention to address and bar code information.

• Incorrect label application. It’s best to place your labels along the long side of your shipments, taking care to not wrap the label around any corners or edges. Apply labels smoothly and avoid creating folds. Labels should be applied to tubes in a manner which displays all information and the bar code can be scanned.

• Misaligned labels. The entirety of your postage should be able to fit on one 4 x 6” label. Postage should begin at the top of the label and no information should be cut off.
• Refrain from taping over the bar code of your labels. This makes it more difficult for bar code scanners to read your labels. Do not tape over thermal labels under any circumstance! This will cause the label to fade.

• Take care to properly secure your labels. Make sure no ends have rolled up as they have the potential to become removed or attached to other shipments. 
• Ensure your addresses are written in English characters on the label. When sending to international destinations we recommend including a label in addition to this with the alternative address spelling.

Labelling Mail-In Shipments

• First buy, print and attach the shipping label to the package - the one going to your customer. Then put the package into a larger poly envelope or box so that the individual label doesn't interfere with the label to get your shipment to Chit Chats (if you choose a shipping company of your choice or Canpar or SmartDrop). 
• If your package is just too big or cannot be put into another packaging then place a copy of the postage label inside the package or 
• Attach the label and cover with a plain piece of paper and write 'Chit Chats label underneath'.