Shipping Protection Essentials for eCommerce Businesses

Once an order leaves your facility, its fate is out of your hands. Between sorting hubs, conveyor belts, and delivery trucks, packages take a beating—and when they arrive damaged, it’s your business that pays the price.

But shipping doesn’t have to be a gamble. While you can’t control what happens in transit, you can put safeguards in place to help orders survive the journey. That’s exactly where shipping protection comes in—giving businesses a safety net when shipments don’t go as planned.

What Is Shipping Protection in eCommerce?

Shipping protection is a service that provides financial coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged packages during transit. It typically functions through an insurance-based model, offered by carriers or third-party providers, to compensate for shipping-related losses beyond a seller’s control.

Why Shipping Protection Isn’t Optional for eCommerce

It may operate behind the scenes, but shipping protection can significantly safeguard key aspects of your operations. Here’s how: 

Financial Protection 

Whether due to carrier mishandling, weather delays, or last-mile delivery failures, anything can happen. Ultimately, businesses have to absorb the resulting costs through refunds or replacements. A robust protection plan shifts that financial burden to carriers or third-party providers, reducing unexpected expenses and preserving profit margins.

Higher Checkout Confidence & Customer Retention 

Customers hesitate to buy when they’re unsure their order will arrive safely. Knowing their purchase is protected eliminates that doubt, leading to higher conversion rates at checkout.

Beyond the initial sale, a positive delivery experience builds trust in your brand, which is critical for retention. A study by Ipsos and Octopia found that a poor delivery experience would keep 85% of online shoppers from returning to a retailer. Offering protection helps build trust, leading to repeat business and stronger customer loyalty.

Reduced Customer Service Workload

Using an external vendor to handle claims and resolutions reduces the burden on customer service teams. This allows businesses to focus on sales and operations instead of dealing with shipping disputes.

Mitigated Porch Piracy & Delivery Issues

According to Security.org’s 2024 Package Theft Annual Report and Statistics, 58 million Americans have experienced package theft, resulting in losses totaling $12 billion. With theft this widespread, shipping protection adds that valuable extra layer of security by covering stolen packages, reducing chargebacks and disputes.

A strong shipping protection plan is key, but it’s only as effective as the packaging behind it. 

Packaging Strategies for Optimal Shipping Protection

Whether you're shipping delicate electronics, bulky equipment, or fragile glassware, how you pack can make all the difference. To minimize damage, reduce returns, and keep customers happy, follow these proven packaging strategies.

1. Choose the Right Packaging Material

Undoubtedly, learning how to protect packages from damage is crucial for any business that ships goods—and it all begins with selecting the most suitable packaging.

• Poly Bags - Tough yet lightweight poly bags from trusted providers like Supply Legends work well for clothing, soft goods, and other non-fragile products. They offer flexibility while helping to minimize shipping weight and costs.
• Corrugated Boxes - Ideal for fragile, oversized, or high-value merchandise, corrugated boxes supply robust stability and resistance to crushing.
• Padded Mailers - Perfect for books, documents, or compact electronics, padded mailers add gentle cushioning without excessive bulk.
• Shrink Wrap or Stretch Film - An effective covering for palletized or bundled shipments, this film shields items from dust, dirt, and humidity.

Tip: Packaging materials can be combined to give items superior shipping protection. For example, poly bags can be used to bundle multiple goods and secure added defense against moisture. High-quality poly bags are an excellent complement to corrugated boxes whenever extra support is needed.

2. Use Internal Cushioning to Prevent Movement

Once the item is placed in its primary packaging, preventing movement inside the package is essential to avoid impact-related damage. Secondary packaging materials that can boost shipping protection include:

• Bubble Wrap - Use this to wrap delicate or breakable items to absorb shock.
• Packing Peanuts - These fill empty spaces inside the box to prevent shifting.
• Foam Inserts - Custom-cut foam provides maximum stability for electronics, glassware, and high-value goods.
• Air Pillows - Air pillows are a lightweight and effective void-fill solution that prevents items from moving inside the package.

Tip: For those wondering how to pack fragile items for shipping, the key is to ensure each item has at least two inches of protective cushioning on all sides. Wrapping items individually and layering protective materials helps absorb impact during transit.

3. Seal the Package Securely

A well-packed shipment is only as strong as its seal. Use high-quality packaging tape to reinforce the package and prevent accidental openings.

• Poly Bags - Choose poly bags with self-sealing adhesive strips for a secure, tamper-evident closure, such as those from Supply Legends. 
• Boxes - Use pressure-sensitive packing tape and apply the H-taping method. First, seal along the center seam of the box. Next, apply additional strips across the edges where the flaps meet. Finally, reinforce weaker areas, especially for heavy shipments.

Tip: Avoid masking tape, scotch tape, or string, as they don’t provide enough security.

4. Label the Package Correctly

Proper labeling ensures that shipments are handled correctly and delivered without delays.

• Suffocation Warnings - Clearly display suffocation warnings on poly bags and other applicable packaging to ensure safety and compliance.
• Fragile Stickers - These alert carriers to handle packages with extra care.
• Orientation Arrows - For items that must stay upright, use “This Side Up” labels.
• Waterproof Labels - For poly bag shipments, use water-resistant labels or cover the labels with clear tape to prevent smudging.

Tip: Place shipping labels on a flat surface where they won't be obstructed by seams or edges. This helps ensure barcode visibility and reduces the chance of scanning errors.

5. Secure Shipping Protection Insurance

Consider these crucial factors when purchasing shipping protection insurance. 

• Coverage Scope – Policies vary in geographical limits, coverage for delays or storage, and other shipping protection details. Choose one that fits your needs.
• Claim Process – Opt for digital claims with quick approvals. Filing deadlines vary, typically 60 days from shipment, but some policies have shorter windows for damages or waiting periods for lost shipments. High-value claims may require additional documentation.
• Cost Considerations – Compare the cost of coverage relative to the value of your shipments. Major carriers like USPS and FedEx cover up to $100 for free, while third-party insurers offer competitive rates at 0.5%–4% of the insured value. 
• Exclusions & Limitations – Policies may not cover fragile, high-value, or perishable items, nor losses, due to porch piracy or natural disasters.
• Packaging Requirements – Claims can be denied for improper packaging. Know how to pack items for shipping and determine carrier guidelines.

Tip: Choose a policy that integrates with your shipping platform to streamline claims, automate coverage, and reduce administrative hassle.

6. Consider Climate and Transit Conditions

Shipping conditions vary based on destination, carrier, and environmental factors. If a package will encounter humidity, extreme temperatures, or rough handling, additional protection is necessary.

• Waterproof Packaging - Poly bags protect against rain, spills, and moisture.
• Insulated Packaging - For temperature-sensitive items, consider insulated mailers or thermal protection.
• Shock-Absorbing Layers - For long-distance shipments, additional padding or impact-resistant materials help compensate for multiple handling points.

In eCommerce, shipping is the final mile where trust is either earned or lost. Start strong with sturdy packaging that builds customer confidence—enter Supply Legends.

Fortify Your Fulfillment with Supply Legends 

At Supply Legends, we know that effective shipping protection starts with the right packaging. Our Amazon- and Walmart-compliant poly bags are crafted from premium, durable materials with moisture-resistant and tear-proof properties. Featuring extra-strength seals and pre-printed suffocation warnings, they’re built to withstand the rigors of shipping.

But superior quality is only part of our commitment. We equally prioritize value, offering fast, free shipping alongside affordable pricing and bulk discounts.

Shore up your defenses on every facet of your fulfillment process with our tried-and-tested poly bag packaging solutions—contact us today!