Ask the Collective

What packaging improvements help reduce spirit bottle breakage during shipping?

Breakage rates vary widely (members report 2+ cases/month loss), and causes range from carrier mishandling to warehouse conditions. The most concrete tactic shared: **increase corrugated box gauge**. One member significantly reduced breakage by upgrading to BC flute 200 kraft outer with 80 B flute/80 liner/80 C flute and 200 inner liner—described as "super sturdy." Winter damp conditions in warehouses can soften standard boxes, so environmental control is worth reviewing alongside packaging upgrades. Members also note that some loss may be theft rather than breakage (one reported case of a FedEx driver found with 15 cases of gin); tracking whether damaged items are returned to the same address may help identify patterns. DPD and DHL both appear in members' experience, with variable breakage rates—it's unclear if recent increases are seasonal (Christmas volume) or carrier-specific.