Everything you need for safe book transport and shipping | RAJA

From tomorrow until 24 April, the Paris Book Fair will take place, which is also World Creativity and Innovation Day: a day that is truly oriented towards reading and writing!

What if it was the occasion for you to take stock of the best practices for sending your books and documents?

In this article, you’ll find out which carriers to choose, which packaging to select and all the things to look out for when shipping books safely.

What to look out for for optimal book shipping?

Book shipping presents specific challenges for industry professionals and logistics managers alike

Therefore, you should keep the following points in mind when choosing your delivery service and packaging:

• Protection of the books. This is of course the most important criterion to bear in mind. It is the primary criterion for the choice of your carriers and packaging, which must ensure that the recipient receives his or her products in perfect condition.
• Adapting your packaging to the size and weight of the books will help you reduce the empty space in your order and therefore limit the environmental impact of your deliveries. But, for smaller orders, it is also the assurance of being able to have your parcel delivered directly to the letterbox as soon as the deliveryman passes by.
  A real plus in the experience of your end customer
  
• Insurance: If you’re sending vintage or collector’s books, make sure you’ve taken out specific insurance, such as ad valorem insurance, to ensure that
  your goods are compensated in the event of loss or damage
  .
• Customer experience: This is a crucial criterion, and should guide you in your choice of carrier, which should offer the end customer optimal tracking of the delivery. For example, they should be able to choose a delivery slot, change their delivery address, or obtain a tracking number to be able to track their package. It will also help you determine what packaging to choose for your books. For example, you may choose to personalise the packaging with your brand image, in order to build customer loyalty or to communicate some of your special offers.

With these criteria firmly in place, you are ready to choose the best solutions for your book shipments!

Which carriers should I choose for sending books?

First of all, you should know that it is possible to use thesending a book by postyou can use the standard letter rate if the parcel meets the following criteria:

• The length + width + thickness of the package must not exceed 100 cm
• The length of the parcel must be 60 cm maximum
• The thickness of the parcel must not exceed 3 cm
• Its weight must not exceed 3 kg

If your parcel exceeds these dimensions or weights, you will need to use other carriers who specialise in sending larger or heavier parcels

For example, you can turn to :

Shipping costs vary according to many criteria (express delivery mode or not, volumetric weight of the parcel for express or international shipments, volume of orders sent…) Do not hesitate to consider different carriers, or change the delivery mode, if you notice that your shipping budget is high

What packaging to send your books safely?

The second thing to look out for when sending your books is the packaging.
As you know, this is the first point of contact between you, the e-retailer, and your end customer, which is why it is important to take care of it, combining protection of your orders with the customer experience, for a smooth delivery!

Find out here about all the packaging solutions available to you, depending on the type of book you are shipping.

For shipping thin and/or light books

	The flat cardboard sleeve with adhesive closureis ideal for sending small parcels containing books that require little protection. Made from 100% recycled cardboard, it gives your company an immediately visible eco-friendly image and reduces your postal costs thanks to its lightness.
	Recycled cardboard sleeve with adhesive closureis also very light and adaptable in thickness up to 2 cm, so you can easily fit one or two pocket books in it, which will be protected by the 100% recycled cardboard in which the cover is made.
	Padded pocket with honeycomb paperthanks to its ecological padding, it protects more fragile books from shocks and is fully recyclable.

For sending medium-sized or medium-weight books

	The cardboard cross case, adjustable in heightis ideal for all orders of flat books, but can be adjusted in height up to 6 cm and its grooves make it easy to fold when preparing the order.
	The cardboard postal cross caseis extremely protective thanks to its cardboard edges. It is made from single flute cardboard and is available in a variety of sizes, with an adhesive closure for greater convenience during order picking.
	Cardboard mailer with RAJA adhesive Standard A4offers your customers a quick opening, thanks to its pre-cut tab: ideal for sending books. Its assembly is very easy as the case is rolled and folded directly around your products. It is adjustable in height from 1 to 6 cm.
	Cardboard mailer with adhesive “to and fro” closuresis specifically designed for e-commerce logisticians. Equipped with two tear strips, it has been created to resist two shipments: one by you, the sender, and a second one for a customer return. This will protect your books, and take care of your customers’ experience.
	The brown reinforced cardboard mailer with adhesive closureis recommended for sending more fragile or more expensive books. Its double-layered cardboard edges, as well as its closing tabs on each side, make it particularly protective. It can also be adjusted in height up to 6 cm.

For sending a stack of books

	The brown micro fluted cardboard box with adhesive closureit can be used flat or in a box, thanks to its 8 cm gussets. Its corners are reinforced for optimal protection and its opening on the long side simplifies the preparation of your orders.
	The brown telescopic boxthe bottom and lid are made of single-wall cardboard and the short sides are double-wall cardboard for safe shipping.
	Variable height cardboard boxit is perfect for sending a lot of books, not only does it allow you to protect your goods properly, but also to reduce the space in your parcels, as you can cut it to the right height Be careful to choose the right cardboard flute according to the weight of the products to be packed!

You now know everything! Thanks to this short guide, you now have all the solutions for book shipments that combine protection of your goods, respect for your transport budget and customer experience