How to Prepare Your Package for International Shipping

Whether you're sending a gift home, shipping items for a move, or fulfilling an order for your business, how you pack your parcel directly affects whether it arrives safely and on time. A poorly packed box is the single most common reason for damage claims and customs delays. This guide walks through everything you need to know before sending an international shipment from Luxembourg.

1. Choose the Right Box

Use a sturdy, new corrugated box rather than reusing an old or damaged one — repeated use weakens cardboard fibres, even if a box looks fine on the outside. The box should be slightly larger than your items to leave room for cushioning, but not so oversized that contents can shift around during transit. If you're unsure what size you need, our team can recommend the right box during a quote request, or you can bring your items to us and we'll handle the packing entirely.

2. Use Proper Cushioning

• Bubble wrap :  Best for fragile items like glassware, electronics, or ceramics
• Packing paper or foam :  Fills empty space to prevent movement inside the box
• Double-boxing :  For especially fragile or valuable items, pack the item in a smaller box, then place that box inside a larger one with cushioning on all sides

A good rule of thumb: shake the sealed box gently. If you hear or feel movement, add more cushioning before sealing.

3. Seal It Properly

Use strong packing tape (not regular household tape) and apply it in an H-pattern across the top and bottom seams of the box. Reinforce all edges and corners, since these are the points most likely to fail during handling and transit.

4. Know the Weight and Size Limits

Standard DHL Express shipments typically allow parcels up to 70kg, though exact limits can vary by destination and service type. Oversized or unusually shaped items may require special handling or a different service category. If your shipment is particularly heavy, bulky, or irregular, contact us before booking so we can confirm the right service and avoid surprises at drop-off.

5. Label Clearly and Completely

Make sure the recipient's full name, address, and phone number are clearly written or printed, along with your own return address. For international shipments, your DHL shipping label and any customs documentation will be generated as part of your booking — keep a copy until the parcel is confirmed delivered.

6. Prepare Customs Documentation (If Needed)

If you're shipping within the EU — for example from Luxembourg to France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, or Italy — no customs documentation is required, since goods move freely within the EU single market. For shipments to non-EU destinations like the UK, USA, or India, you'll need a commercial invoice and customs declaration. LetzShip prepares all of this documentation for you as part of the service, so you don't need to handle the paperwork yourself.

7. Double-Check Prohibited and Restricted Items

Before packing, confirm your items aren't on the prohibited list — this includes dangerous goods like explosives and flammables, certain lithium batteries, perishable food, and other restricted materials. If you're unsure whether something can be shipped, it's always worth checking with us before you finish packing, since prohibited items can cause delays or have your parcel returned. See our full FAQ page for more on customs and restrictions.

Don't Want to Pack It Yourself?

If all of this sounds like more effort than you'd like, LetzShip offers full professional packing services. Bring your items as they are — we supply boxes, bubble wrap, foam, and all protective materials, and our team specialises in fragile, valuable, and oversized items. It's often the easiest way to make sure your parcel is packed correctly the first time.