Shipping Guides

HOW TO PACK
& SHIP YOUR ITEMS

We pay for shipping — you pack and box the item securely. Follow these steps to avoid damage in transit. Even with a prepaid label, a poorly packed PC or component can be damaged on the way.

HOW TO PACK YOUR PC

// We pay for shipping — you must pack and box the computer securely

STEP 1 Get a Proper Box

For a mid-sized tower PC (roughly 18–22" H × 7–9" W × 18–20" D), a heavy-duty box measuring about 24" × 24" × 20" is the industry standard. This allows room for 2–3 inches of padding on all sides.

For a full-sized tower PC, the ideal box is typically 28 × 15 × 28 inches or 30 × 20 × 30 inches, which allows 3–4 inches of protective foam on all sides.

Option A — Use the original box (best)

If you still have the original box and foam inserts your PC came in, use that. It's designed exactly for this.

Option B — Buy a new box

  • Go to a local shipping or office supply store: UHaul, The UPS Store, FedEx Office, Staples, Office Depot/OfficeMax, or some big-box stores (Walmart, Target)
  • Ask for a sturdy cardboard box that fits your PC with at least 2–3 inches of space on all sides
  • If they offer double-wall boxes, prefer those — more protection

Option C — Order online (if you have time)

  • Search "PC tower shipping box" on Amazon, Uline, or similar
  • Choose a box that fits your case with room for padding

Option D — Have It Packed Professionally (easiest, costs a small fee)

Don't want to deal with packing? Take your PC to any FedEx Office or UPS Store and their staff will source a box and pack it for you. We cover all shipping costs — you only pay for the packing service (typically $20–$50 depending on location).

How it works: Once you accept your quote and receive your prepaid label, open the label email on your phone. Head to any FedEx Office or UPS Store — whichever carrier matches your label — and show them the QR code. They'll pack and ship it right there.

You don't have to ship from the same place you bought your packing supplies. But if you go straight to FedEx Office or UPS Store and have them pack it, it's easiest to just ship from there too.

⚠️ Important: Do not use a box that is too small, already crushed, or has tape-covered holes. The box must be strong and rigid, not flimsy.

STEP 2 Get Packing Materials

You need cushioning/filler, box sealing tape, and optionally small bags and zip ties for small parts.

Best cushioning options

  • Bubble wrap, foam, packing peanuts, or air pillows (ideal — lighter weight is better)
  • Clean towels, blankets, or clothes (as a last resort)
  • Crumpled newspaper or cardboard (not ideal, but better than nothing)

Use strong packing tape — not duct tape or masking tape. If you buy a box at The UPS Store, FedEx Office, or UHaul, they usually sell bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and strong boxes. Ask for a "shipping kit for a PC or tower."

STEP 3 Remove or Secure the GPU — Very Important

Desktop PCs are most often damaged in shipping because the GPU (graphics card) breaks loose. Please handle this step carefully.

Option A — Remove the GPU (recommended)

  1. Power down the PC and unplug all cables
  2. Press the power button a few times to drain residual power
  3. Open the side panel of the case (usually slide back after unscrewing a small screw at the top — search YouTube for your specific case if unsure)
  4. Locate the GPU — the long card plugged into the motherboard, usually near the bottom
  5. Unscrew the bracket from the back of the case, press the small latch on the PCIe slot, and gently pull the GPU straight out
  6. Wrap the GPU: ideally in an anti-static bag, then 2–3 layers of bubble wrap. Protect the ports and fans with extra padding.
  7. Place the wrapped GPU in a small box with padding all around, OR place it inside the main PC box with lots of cushioning so it cannot move

Option B — Don't remove the GPU (only if you cannot)

  • Leave the GPU firmly seated and make sure it's screwed into the case bracket
  • Fill empty space around the GPU inside the case with bubble wrap, foam, or clean towels — the GPU should not shift when you gently shake the case

⚠️ Removing the GPU is strongly preferred. Leaving it in is riskier but still better than no extra padding at all.

STEP 4 Prepare the PC for Packing

  1. Unplug everything — power cord, monitor cable (HDMI, DisplayPort), USB devices, Ethernet, audio cables
  2. Remove large loose parts if comfortable — large CPU coolers, any heavy add-in cards besides the GPU
  3. Secure cables inside the case so they don't dangle and hit components
  4. If you have foam inserts from the original box, use them

STEP 5 Pack the PC in the Box

Goal: The PC should not move at all inside the box.

  1. Place a thick layer of cushioning at the bottom of the box (2–3 inches) — bubble wrap, foam, packing peanuts, or folded towels
  2. Put the PC in the box, centered
  3. Fill all empty space on all sides — left, right, front, back, top, and bottom — so the PC cannot shift
  4. If you removed the GPU and packed it separately, place the small GPU box inside the main box, surrounded by padding, and ensure it cannot touch the PC case directly
  5. Add a top layer of cushioning (2–3 inches) before closing the box
  6. Close the box and shake it gently — you should not feel or hear anything moving inside. If you do, reopen and add more padding.

STEP 6 Tape and Label the Box

  1. Use strong packing tape to seal all seams — use the "H" pattern: tape the center seam and both side seams on the top and bottom
  2. Attach the prepaid shipping label we send you: print it clearly, place it on the top of the box, and cover the entire label with clear packing tape (don't tape over the barcode in a way that makes it unreadable)
  3. Remove or cover any old labels or barcodes on the box

STEP 7 Drop Off the Package

  • USPS Ground Advantage: Drop at any Post Office or authorized USPS drop-off location
  • UPS: Drop at any UPS Store or UPS drop-off point
  • FedEx: Drop at any FedEx Office or FedEx drop-off location

We will send you a prepaid label specifying your carrier. Use only the carrier shown on your label — it won't scan at a different carrier's location. Print the label or show the QR code on your phone when you arrive.

✅ QUICK CHECKLIST — WHOLE PC

  • Got a sturdy box that fits the PC with padding space on all sides
  • Got bubble wrap, foam, or towels/blankets for padding
  • Removed GPU and wrapped it separately (if possible)
  • Padded the PC so it cannot move in the box
  • Taped the box securely with the H-pattern
  • Attached the prepaid label we sent
  • Dropped off at the correct carrier location

📦 Household Items You Can Use as Filler

  • Clean towels, blankets, or clothes as padding inside the box
  • Bubble wrap from past deliveries
  • Crumpled newspaper or cardboard
  • Air pillows from other packages

Just make sure the PC is tight and secure — not loose.

HOW TO PACK A SINGLE COMPONENT

// GPU, CPU, RAM, SSD, or hard drive — each has its own requirements

STEP 1 Get a Proper Box

Option A — Use the original box (best)

If you still have the original box and foam for the component, use that.

Option B — Buy a small shipping box

  • Go to The UPS Store, FedEx Office, Staples, or Office Depot
  • Ask for a small, sturdy cardboard box with at least 1–2 inches of space on all sides for padding
  • Double-wall boxes are preferred if available

Option C — Reuse a small box

  • Reuse a small, strong box from past deliveries if it's not crushed or damaged
  • Remove or cover all old labels and barcodes

STEP 2 Get Packing Materials

  • Anti-static bag (ideal) for the component — if you don't have one, wrap in plastic (thin grocery bag) first
  • Cushioning: Bubble wrap, foam, packing peanuts, or air pillows — or clean tissue paper, socks, or soft cloth
  • Strong packing tape (not duct tape or masking tape)

STEP 3 Packing by Component Type

🎮 GPU (Graphics Card)

  1. Handle by the edges — avoid touching the contacts (gold pins) or fans
  2. Ideally place in an anti-static bag; if not, wrap in plastic then 2–3 layers of bubble wrap
  3. Protect the fans and ports with extra padding
  4. Place in a small box with 1–2 inches of padding on the bottom, then fill all sides and top so it cannot move

⚙️ CPU (Processor)

  1. If still in its original plastic clamshell, keep it there
  2. If not, place in an anti-static bag or wrap gently in plastic, then bubble wrap
  3. Do not bend or press on the pins/contacts — CPUs are very fragile
  4. Pack in a small box with padding on all sides so it cannot move

💾 RAM (Memory Modules)

  1. Handle by the edges — avoid touching the gold contacts
  2. Place each stick in an anti-static bag if possible; if not, wrap each stick in plastic then bubble wrap
  3. Multiple sticks can be packed together — make sure they don't rub against each other without protection
  4. Pack in a small box with padding on all sides

🗄️ SSD / Hard Drive (Storage)

SSD (SATA or M.2):

  • If in original box, keep it there
  • Wrap in bubble wrap (1–2 layers) or soft cloth; handle M.2 drives carefully and avoid bending
  • Place in a small box with padding on all sides

HDD (Mechanical Hard Drive):

  • Hard drives are heavy and very sensitive to shock
  • Wrap in 2+ layers of bubble wrap or multiple layers of cloth
  • Place in a sturdy small box with padding on all sides
  • Do not ship a hard drive loosely in an envelope

STEP 4 Pack So Nothing Moves

  1. Place 1–2 inches of cushioning at the bottom
  2. Put the component in the center
  3. Fill all empty space on all sides and on top
  4. Close the box and shake gently — if you can feel or hear anything moving, reopen and add more padding

STEP 5 Tape and Label the Box

  1. Use the H-pattern tape method: seal the center seam and both side seams on top and bottom
  2. Attach the prepaid label we send — print it or show QR code at UPS Store or FedEx Office
  3. Cover the label with clear tape (don't cover the barcode)
  4. Remove or cover any old labels or barcodes

STEP 6 Drop Off the Package

  • USPS: Drop at any Post Office or authorized USPS drop-off location
  • UPS: Drop at any UPS Store or UPS drop-off point
  • FedEx: Drop at any FedEx Office or FedEx drop-off location

We will send you a prepaid label specifying your carrier. Use only the carrier shown on your label — it won't scan at a different carrier's location. Print the label or show the QR code on your phone when you arrive.

✅ QUICK CHECKLIST — SINGLE COMPONENT

  • Got a small, sturdy box with padding space on all sides
  • Got bubble wrap, foam, or cloth for padding
  • Used an anti-static bag or plastic wrap for the component
  • Padded the component so it cannot move in the box
  • Taped the box securely with the H-pattern
  • Attached the prepaid label we sent
  • Dropped off at the correct carrier location

📦 Household Items You Can Use as Filler

  • Clean socks, t-shirts, or soft cloth as padding
  • Bubble wrap from past deliveries
  • Crumpled newspaper or cardboard
  • Air pillows from other packages

The key is: no movement inside the box. If you can shake the box and feel the component moving, add more padding.

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