Good packaging is not only recommended for ensuring the integrity of goods, but is also a necessary condition that needs to be complied with. Moreover, the cross-border transportation of freight should conditionally involve packaging. Therefore, we cannot deny that packaging forms an important part of freight transportation.

During overseas transportation of freight, packaging needs to comply with the essential international standards as well as the regulatory specifications. Moreover, in freight shipping, every single space is charged at premium. Unless you completely utilize the space available in a pallet, the freight charges could prove to be very high. In addition, it is advisable to make use of uniform and strong crates for the freight that is required to be shipped through crates. This helps in accomplishing the task of packaging easily and also ensures the utilization of any unoccupied space.

For cross border transportation in various countries, the shipment needs to be mentioned in a clear and correct manner. Correct markings ensure the verification of content and enable simplification of inspection process. A number of local courier service companies deal in cross border transportation of freight. Therefore, they have proper information about the manner in which parcels need to be packed. In addition, the courier service company makes sure that packaging freight meets the guidelines laid down for transportation of different kinds of goods. The invaluable assistance of these companies makes transportation process trouble-free and uncomplicated.

In general, there are a myriad of ways of packaging as well as crating the goods. However, the method of packaging depends on the mode of transportation. Quality of service provided remains the most important aspect of packaging. In the absence of good packaging, there is no guarantee whether the goods would be able to reach the destination in the perfect condition. Therefore, packaging of parcels in the appropriate manner remains an essential part of overseas freight delivery.

Various courier companies ensure that they are capable of meeting your packaging or crating requirements. However, it is advisable to measure the weight, assess the weight limits as well as properties of goods being transported. In addition, it is also necessary to mention the other general considerations that impact the safety of goods and prevent losses.

While around 80 per cent of domestic customers and two out of three businesses said they were generally happy with the standard of the inter-Ireland postal services, many also believed that substantial improvements could be made.

Seventy per cent of people questioned also said they did not know the correct cost of sending mail from Northern Ireland to the Republic, and more than 25 per cent were unaware of the prescribed standards for delivery times between the two. Consumer Focus Post’s Principal Policy Advocate, Chris Thirkettle, said that a well functioning postal service which could be relied upon by business and individual customers alike was essential to encourage the growing social and business links between Northern Ireland and the south.

And while existing Northern-Southern Ireland postal services complied with Europe-wide standards for their quality, he called the current standards unambitious, and said they were unable to meet Northern Irish businesses’ or individuals’ reasonable expectations. And bodies representing businesses trading with partners across the border expressed their hope that Consumer Focus Post’s report could be a catalyst to making improvements to the postal service specifically, and bring enhancements in cross-border links in general.

Any steps which could improve the reliability and speed of cross-border communications could have a substantially beneficial effect on the way business is carried out between the two countries, believes Liam Nellis, Chief Executive of InterTrade Ireland. The Federation of Small Businesses also threw its weight behind calls for improvements, and said it would urge that its recommendations be adopted in both countries.

The postal system’s wide range of services were essential for keeping communities and their businesses alive, especially in the current economic climate, William Mitchell, the FSB’s Policy Chair, William Mitchell, said.