The Best Packaging Practices Every Seller Should Know

When selling online, especially on CHUS, where customers look for products with a personal storyshipping isn't just about "pack and send."

A successful order is one that arrives in perfect condition, feels well-prepared, and delivers a positive experience from the very moment it’s unboxed.

Packaging plays a key role in this. It protects your product from damage, moisture, or getting lost in transit. More than that, it’s often the first touchpoint between your brand and the customer. People might forget what they bought, but they’ll remember how it felt to open a thoughtfully packaged item.

This guide will walk you through the best packaging practices to help you pack safely and beautifully whether you're a new seller or a growing brand on CHUS.

Smart secure packaging for a complete customer experience on CHUS

Safe Packaging – Key Principles You Shouldn’t Ignore

Whether you're selling ceramic mugs, scented candles, or handmade jewelry, the most important thing is to protect your product throughout the shipping process. Poor packaging can lead to damage, scratches, or even returns, which means lost time, money, and customer trust.

Here are essential safe packaging practices every seller should know:

1. Choose packaging that fits your product

• Light, non-fragile items (like clothes, fabric bags, or towels): Use poly mailers or lightweight paper boxes.
• Fragile or high-value items (like ceramics, essential oils, or delicate handmade goods): Use strong, double-layered cardboard boxes with extra padding inside.

2. Wrap each item individually

If your order includes multiple items, wrap each one separately using tissue paper, bubble wrap, or padded pouches.

This helps prevent them from bumping into each other during transit.

3. Use proper cushioning and avoid empty space

Empty space inside the box allows products to shift and get damaged. Fill all gaps with kraft paper, foam, packing peanuts, or crumpled paper. 

Don’t overpack, leave some softness so the material can absorb shocks.

4. Seal your package securely

Use strong, wide tape (at least 5 cm) and apply it in an H-shape across all seams. If you’re using a poly mailer, press the adhesive firmly and give the package a quick shake to make sure it won’t come undone during shipping.

Safe packaging tips to protect your product and avoid shipping damage

Beautiful Packaging - Creating a Memorable Unboxing Experience

For customers on CHUS, every order isn’t just a product, it's a story being delivered. That’s why good packaging isn’t only about looks. It’s a quiet way to show your care, and the beginning of a brand experience that feels personal and thoughtful.

Here are simple but effective ways to upgrade your unboxing experience:

1. Use packaging to express your brand personality

For small brands, creating a unique identity is key, and packaging is one of the best tools to do that.
You don’t need a big budget. What matters is making smart, consistent choices that reflect your brand’s character.

Suggestions

• Use kraft paper boxes or eco-friendly wrapping materials
• Print or stick your logo on the box to boost brand recognition
• Include a short, meaningful message directly on the packaging

2. Arrange items neatly and with intention

Don’t just place items randomly. Position them carefully to show that you’ve taken the time to make the package feel special.

• Use wrapping paper or fabric pouches that fit well, neither too loose nor too tight
• For small items, choose boxes that fit just right to avoid empty space
• A tidy, well-balanced layout gives a premium, cared-for feel that customers appreciate

3. Add small touches that spark emotion

It doesn’t take much to make a big impression. Thoughtful little details can surprise and delight your customer.

Examples

• A handwritten thank-you note or a kind message
• A discount code for their next order
• A small gift: a dried flower, a rustic string bow, or a custom sticker

These tiny extras are often what get your product photographed, shared, and remembered.

4. Keep it beautiful, but also secure

A good-looking package won’t matter if it arrives damaged. Make sure beauty goes hand-in-hand with protection.

Packaging checklist

• Use strong boxes that match the product’s weight and size
• Always include inner padding (kraft paper, soft foam, or bubble wrap)
• Seal the box using the H-taping method so it won’t open in transit

Beautiful packaging boosts unboxing experience and reflects your brand identity

Spend Smart: What to Invest In and Where to Save

When selling online especially with handmade products value isn’t about scale. It’s about care and attention to detail. That’s why your packaging strategy should be intentional. You don’t need the fanciest packaging. You just need to invest in the right places, and save where it makes sense.

1. Invest in: anything that protects the product

This is the part you shouldn’t cut corners on. It directly affects whether your product arrives safely. Damaged goods mean lost sales, lost trust, and extra costs.

Where to invest

• High-quality cardboard boxes (2–3 layers), sized properly for your product
• Good padding: thick bubble wrap, pre-cut foam, or soft inserts
• Strong adhesive tape with high stickiness avoid thin tape that peels off easily during shipping

2. Save on: decoration that doesn’t impact the customer experience

Pretty packaging is nice, but not everything needs to be fancy. Focus on simple, thoughtful details that feel personal without wasting money on extras that often end up in the trash.

Where you can save

• Skip fancy wrapping paper and ribbons use kraft paper, jute string, or simple origami folds
• Instead of elaborate thank-you cards, print a few simple designs in black and white on quality paper
• Use plain boxes with a sticker or handmade label, instead of full custom-printed packaging

Smart packaging choices protect products and cut unnecessary costs

Hidden Risks During Shipping

Even if your package is only traveling within the same city, the shipping process can be more complicated than it seems. A single order may go through 3–5 handling points and pass through different warehouse environments, many of which are far from ideal.

Here are three common risks every seller should prepare for. Packaging is the first and sometimes only line of defense for your product.

1. Weather and humidity – the silent enemy of paper packaging

Vietnam has a tropical climate with high humidity all year round. On rainy or damp days, packages are more likely to face problems like:

• Cardboard boxes becoming soft, torn, or crushed when stacked
• Tape peeling off, causing the box to open
• Products developing mold or musty smells, especially items made of fabric, paper, or wood

What you can do

• Use multi-layer cardboard boxes or boxes with light water resistance
• Add silica gel packets inside if your product absorbs moisture easily
• Avoid thin or low-adhesion tape that won’t hold in humid conditions

2. Multiple handling points – boxes get crushed, items get damaged

An order might be:

• Stacked tightly in a truck with hundreds of other parcels
• Passed through several hands before reaching the customer
• Stored temporarily in a warehouse with no clear orientation

All of this increases the chance of boxes being pressed, dropped, or deformed even if packed carefully.

Solutions

• Leave enough space inside the box for cushioning don't pack items too tightly
• Use shock-absorbing materials like bubble wrap or soft foam, not crumpled paper alone
• For small or fragile items, consider using a box-in-box method for extra protection

3. Lost or tampered packages – often caused by low-security packaging

During shipping, these issues can happen:

• Parcels are mixed up due to unclear or missing labels
• Boxes are easily opened if the tape isn’t secure or there’s no seal
• Customers may lose trust if the product looks like it has been opened before delivery

What you can do

• Seal all edges tightly using wide, high-quality tape
• Clearly label the package with recipient info, order code, and “Fragile” if needed
• If possible, add a small security seal or branded sticker to increase both protection and brand trust

3 hidden shipping risks and how packaging helps prevent damage and loss

Final Thoughts

A beautiful product alone isn’t enough. True success is when it arrives safely and leaves your customer with a positive, memorable feeling. Packaging is more than just a layer of protection it's an extension of your brand experience.

Smart investment in sturdy protection, thoughtful design details, or a heartfelt message can all reflect the care you put into each order. These small but meaningful touches help customers remember your brand, come back for more, and share your story with others.

If you're a seller on CHUS, think of packaging as part of your “art of service”where every parcel you send is a chance to tell your brand’s story.

CHUS: Connecting Quality Local Brands