Packaging

A 12 bottle shipper.

 

Pretty much everything you need to know: http://alewatcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-trader-tips.html

Edit: Yes a 12 bottle styro shipper is the best way. If you don't have one the tips in the link should help you pack your box right.

 

I love Styrofoam shippers , they add costs but if your shipping $300 in Bruery bottles its hard to beat for convenience and safety. I also use Gorilla shippers when i have them and you are worried about the environment, they are very heavy duty cardboard and pack flat.

 

Ive never had any issues and never used any "shippers." Found all the info I needed through these forums though, so keep up the research. I always buy new boxes, pack with plenty of newspaper and/or packing peanuts as extra padding. Double box if need. Wrap each individual bottle/can w/ plenty of bubble wrap and plenty of care. Don't be stingy w/ packing tape. I also buy cheap gallon size storage bags from the dollar store and bag each (or every 2 cans) in those bags just in case of a mishap. Good luck and welcome to the addiction!

 

This is roughly what I do as well, no styrofoam/bottle shippers unless it's 750ml or 32oz growlers. I reuse boxes, though. Another thing I do is, in addition to individual gallon ZipLoc bags, I put 1 or 2 trash bags around the entire shipment. I do this either around the inside box (if I double box), or line the trash bag into the box, put the beers into the trash bag, then tie up the bag. I figured if the broken glass cuts through the ZipLoc, I'll have 1 more layer f defense against leak.

 

You can't overpack.
It's cheaper to use a little extra bubble than to have to reship because something broke.
Also, keep in mind that UPS/FedEx charge by weight, not size (unless you go over their size limits), so it doesn't cost any more to ship a bigger box with extra packing in it.

 

Agreed. Up the box size (extra 40 cents or so) and pack the crap out of it with padding. Can't go wrong w/ extra cushion.

 

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/can-you-over-wrap-a-shipment.113093/

I started this thread just to make sure I was doing it right. The responses and help from this community were awesome! I hope you will find these posts helpful, also.
Double boxing, packing peanuts, bag to line the inner box, etc. The main thing is to make sure that nothing moves, the bottles are wrapped and packed tight. Taping all of the seams and corners of the box are crucial, too. I am totally comfortable dropping my boxes from chest high. You can't hear any sloshing, either. Good luck and happy trading!