In the fascinating but often unseen world of transportation, there are many complexities that most customers will never see or hear about.

When you order something fragile or valuable online, usually you’ll receive your delivery at your door without giving much thought to the journey it’s been on. However, in many cases, couriers have gone to great lengths to ensure these goods get to you in the state they do.

In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most fragile or delicate goods that are commonly transported. We’ll also let you in on the secrets of the transportation trade, to educate you on the methods these companies use to get your goods to you in one piece.

Live Animals 

You may be surprised to know that many live animals are transported by couriers. Whether it’s reptiles, spiders, delicate fish or insects, these creatures need to be moved from one place to another as safely as possible.

These creatures are sensitive to their environment, some of them more so than others, which means they demand special attention to ensure their wellbeing is maintained throughout the duration of the journey. 

Temperature control, adequate ventilation and the minimisation of sudden movements or impacts are all crucial steps to help safeguard these animals. To achieve this, containers that are covered in protective packaging may be crafted to mimic their natural habitat. This helps to reduce shock and keeps them safe from bumps and scrapes during the journey.

Hazardous Materials

When it comes to transporting hazardous materials such as chemicals, fuels, gases and explosives, the importance of ensuring these goods are transported carefully cannot be overstated.

For these, couriers and freight companies must adhere to strict regulations and protocols that govern their transportation. 

To ensure their safe transportation, specialised packaging, stringent labelling and secure containment help make it possible. Likewise, trained personnel who are equipped with specialist knowledge in handling these goods are imperative, while these employees also receive training for emergencies in the event something goes wrong. 

Sensitive Goods

The term “sensitive” can incorporate a wide range of goods so it’s impossible to cover them all. However, some of the most commonly transported sensitive goods are life-saving medicines and human organs.

Due to their fragile nature, for these, temperature control is vital. Even the slightest drop or spike in temperature can destroy the goods, so staff along the transportation route are trained in the monitoring of goods, which are carried in climate-controlled containers.

Temperature-Sensitive Goods

Following on from the last point, medications and organs aren't the only goods that need to be transported in temperature-controlled environments.

Perishables such as fruit, vegetables, flowers, meat and seafood are also reliant on specific temperature ranges. 

To get around this, couriers use a range of tactics, including advanced refrigeration systems and insulated containers to maintain the delicate balance required and avoid spoilage or degradation. In addition, systems that track temperature fluctuations enable swift interventions to prevent any unnecessary damage to the cargo.

High-Value Items

When it comes to transporting high-value goods, clearly there’s a lot at stake. For transportation companies, allowing goods like antiques, rare gems or exclusive artwork to come to any harm during their journey could come at a huge cost.

Thankfully, there are many ways a courier or freight company can maintain the integrity of these valuable goods during transportation. One such method is custom packaging boxes and crates to each item's dimensions. This cushions them against jolts and vibrations. 

For some of the most valuable goods on the planet, armed escorts or discreet surveillance systems are utilised, ensuring these priceless commodities arrive unharmed, and the transportation companies don’t end up with a hefty insurance bill!

So these are the items transportation companies must take the most care with. As you can see, many of these items are crucial to the wellbeing of our species, while others are incredibly valuable and require special care and attention to ensure they arrive unscathed.

Transporting delicate goods can be tricky business. Thankfully, delivery companies have a range of methods at their disposal that they can use to make sure their goods get to their intended destination both safely and quickly.