Shipping medical equipment is inseparable from diverse challenges shippers have to face and overcome to orchestrate and eventually conduct the process without any difficulties. The most common challenges refer to the efforts to provide these items with utmost security through each and every stage of the process. Should any of the items get damaged or destroyed, the party in charge will have to deal with costly repairs or, even worse, complete replacement of the item.

The most viable solution lies in preparing medical equipment for shipping properly so as to minimize the chances of an accident. Here is what you have to bear in mind before you start negotiating shipping terms.

Evaluation prior to packing

What inevitably precedes the process of packing and preparing medical equipment for shipping is a thorough evaluation. This step is necessary because these items vary considerably in terms of size, shape, fragility, and weight. Consequently, to be able to complete the task efficiently and successfully, one has to know precisely the type and amount of equipment that is to be shipped.

Medical equipment should be handled with the utmost care and by experts who possess the expertise, experience, and appropriate equipment to respond to the demands of the task accordingly. An amateur cannot understand the delicacy of the process, which further results in increasing the risks of damage or even destruction to some of the medical equipment during the shipping process.

Tailored packing is crucial

While ordinary packing supplies will undeniably be suitable for some medical equipment, there are those items that require using custom-built crates or specific packaging solutions for impeccable security. The above-mentioned evaluation, hence, proves to be crucial for this purpose. Once you know exactly the size of items and when you analyze those which are awkwardly-shaped or extremely heavy, you will be able to request engineering of the crates that guarantee protection from abrasion, shock, moisture, temperature change, and vibration.

What packing supplies are necessary?

When preparing medical equipment for shipping, using specialized packing materials is a must. Understandably, for some pieces of equipment, you can use standard cardboard or plastic boxes, but generally, the most sensitive pieces require the already mentioned custom-built crates for excellent protection. In addition, using premium-quality cushioning materials is the strategy you need when eliminating any chances of damage is what you strive for.

If you opt for maritime shipping after analyzing the pros and cons of this decision, looking for vapor barrier packaging solutions becomes inevitable. In these circumstances, it is of utmost importance to use moisture and vapor-proof packaging to prevent corrosion on metal surfaces that can seriously harm the functionality of the equipment.

Professional assistance is mandatory when preparing medical equipment for shipping

There are numerous, respectable companies in the shipping industry that offer their impeccable service to various clients. Regardless of the airfreight vs. sea freight dilemma you might be experiencing, there is no place for questioning your decision to hire professionals for this task. However, to be able to monitor the process and assess the quality of the service you get, it is critical to get an insight into the usual practice when preparing medical equipment for shipping is in question.

Conduct detailed research before you find the shipping company you can trust. You need one which employs genuine professionals who know how to pack diagnostic, surgical and lab equipment, CT scanners, lasers, X-ray devices, and MRI machines. They need to be reliable and competent to dismantle these pieces of equipment, secure all the parts, pack, and, finally, load these into a shipping container. Online reviews are a good starting point for your search. Requesting free no-obligation cost estimates can help you know what budget you will need for this endeavor.

Obtain insurance

An essential step in the process of preparing medical equipment for shipping is getting the proper insurance by all means. No matter how well the preparations have been conducted, there is always a risk of unforeseen accidents that might endanger the safety of equipment in the shipping process. Concerning the value of the items you want to ship, obtaining proper insurance must not be neglected. It is important to be entitled to a reasonable compensation should some of your pieces of equipment get damaged or destroyed on the way to their final destination. This is the only solution that guarantees you peace of mind and the knowledge that you have covered all the potential scenarios of the upcoming shipping process.

Preparing medical equipment for shipping requires time

Time is what you need to handle each task with utmost commitment and undivided attention and finally prepare medical equipment for shipping well enough. Starting well in advance means an opportunity to reconsider some decisions before you make them final. If you understand how delicate this process is, you will understand how important it is to bring all the potential difficulties to a minimum. Professional assistance is the core of this process because you need the expertise to complete the process successfully.

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Ian Miller has devoted his time to studying shipping industry challenges and he frequently writes articles on this subject for companies such as Four Winds Bahrain. Ian has cooperated with many shipping companies and is now writing a study on the effects of technology on the shipping industry.