I shipped my NHC entries today. It was pretty easy and straight forward. I followed the instructions on bagging and labeling and reused some blocks of styrofoam from the box my tv came in. But I can't help but think some of the best practices have been figured out already. I searched the forum, but could not find anything. -What shipping container is most ideal for shipping 2-3 bottles? -What is an environmentally friendly packing material that is best, as far as what contest supervisors prefer? -Can you have quick, economic, and safe shipping at the same time? If so, how and with who? -Anything else I'm missing?
Never use packing peanuts. I tend to vacuum seal the bottles, wrap in bubble wrap, then pack it tight with extra bubble wrap at the top and bottom of the box. Also use newspaper.
I typically re-use an old Amazon cardboard box. Each bottle is wrapped in about 3 turns of the small bubble wrap and placed in the box in alternating positions. Of course line the bottom/sides before you start . . . then a few extra layers of BW between layers of bottles and a couple on the top. Pack the box tighter than you think necessary. If you are careful enough to have a plastic bag around the whole kit-n-kaboodle the bottles are pretty much guaranteed a safe trip. The only time I had a problem was truly a defective bottle, it broke before I got home from UPS store. I still haven't found a cheap way to ship beer. UPS/FedEx do a nice enough job but I wouldn't call it cheap. If you declare it as alcohol it becomes less cheap.
