How to Ship PC Parts Safely in the UK: Packaging & Courier Guide (2026)
A GPU that arrives in pieces is a GPU you have to refund. Damaged components, insurance disputes, and angry buyers are almost always the result of bad packaging decisions made before anything left the house. In the UK used PC parts market, knowing how to ship correctly is as important as knowing how to price correctly — and it is far less understood.
This guide covers everything: the materials you need, a component-by-component packaging walkthrough, a realistic comparison of UK couriers, and how to handle insurance, labels, and proof of postage so you are covered if something goes wrong. Whether you are shipping a single stick of RAM or a full build, these principles apply.
If you are still deciding where to list your parts, read our complete guide to where to sell used PC parts in the UK. For GPU-specific selling advice, see how to sell a used GPU in the UK for the best price.
Essential packaging materials
Before you pack a single component, make sure you have the right materials. Improvising with newspaper, carrier bags, or regular cardboard is the root cause of most shipping damage claims. The list below is not optional — each item serves a specific protective function.
Anti-static bags
Pink or silver metallic bags that dissipate electrostatic charge. Non-negotiable for GPUs, CPUs, motherboards, RAM, and SSDs. Available for under £5 for a pack of 20 on Amazon or eBay.
Bubble wrap roll
Large-bubble wrap for cushioning impact. Minimum 3cm of wrap on all faces of the component. A 500mm × 100m roll costs under £15 and will last dozens of shipments.
Double-wall corrugated boxes
Single-wall boxes crush easily under courier handling. For any item over 500g, use double-wall. Buy in a variety of sizes — the right-sized box prevents the item moving inside.
Packing peanuts or foam void fill
Used to fill dead space in boxes after wrapping. A component that can shift inside a box will hit the walls under impact. Fill all voids completely.
Packing tape (not sellotape)
Proper brown packing tape or reinforced kraft tape. Sellotape fails in cold or wet conditions — both common in UK courier transit. Tape all seams on the box.
Fragile labels and handling stickers
These do not guarantee careful handling, but they are visible and create a paper trail. Include them on all faces of boxes containing delicate components.
Never use newspaper as padding
Newspaper provides almost no cushioning and offers zero anti-static protection. It is the most common cause of DOA component claims from private sellers in the UK. Use bubble wrap and foam every time.
How to package each type of PC component
Different components have different failure modes. A GPU can crack its PCB if dropped flat. A CPU with LGA pins needs rigid edge protection. An HDD is fragile to vibration on all six faces. The packaging logic below is tailored to each component type.
Graphics card (GPU)
Highest riskGPUs are the most expensive and most commonly damaged component in transit. Their length, weight, and PCIe connector make them prone to bending under impact.
- 01Place the GPU inside an anti-static bag. Seal the bag. Never skip this — static discharge from bubble wrap can kill the card.
- 02Wrap the bagged GPU in at least 3cm of large-bubble bubble wrap on all sides. Pay extra attention to the PCIe connector end and the display output bracket.
- 03Place inside a snug double-wall box with no room to slide. If the wrapped card moves at all, add foam or crumpled packing paper until it is immobile.
- 04If you have the original GPU box with its custom foam inserts, use it inside an outer box — not as the outer packaging on its own. Original GPU boxes are just printed cardboard, not shipping boxes.
- 05Tape all seams with packing tape. Write FRAGILE – THIS WAY UP on all four sides and the top.
⚠ Never ship a GPU loose in an oversized box — it will rattle and the PCB will flex on impact.
Processor (CPU)
CPUs are small but their pins or contact pads are extremely vulnerable. An Intel LGA processor with bent pins on the socket (motherboard side) is repairable in theory but very difficult in practice. An AMD AM5 CPU with damaged contact pads is often unrecoverable.
- 01Use the original plastic clamshell tray if you still have it. This is purpose-built to protect the IHS and contact surface. If not, a small rigid plastic box works well.
- 02Place the trayed or boxed CPU inside an anti-static bag, then wrap with bubble wrap.
- 03Pack inside a small rigid box with packing foam or crumpled paper filling any remaining space. A CPU should not move at all inside its packaging.
Tip: If you are shipping the original retail box, still place that inside a plain outer box with bubble wrap — retail boxes are not courier-grade packaging.
Motherboard
Anti-static criticalA motherboard's exposed PCB traces, BIOS chip, and VRM components all make it highly susceptible to static damage. The IO panel bracket is also a common point of physical breakage if the board can shift in transit.
- 01Anti-static bag is non-negotiable. A board large enough to be an ATX or E-ATX motherboard needs a correspondingly large bag. Do not fold or bend the bag around the board.
- 02Wrap the bottom side (PCB traces, capacitors) with an extra layer of bubble wrap secured with tape before wrapping the full board.
- 03Use a box that matches the board size as closely as possible. A mATX board rattling in a full-ATX box will crack solder joints. Fill voids with foam blocks or bubble wrap parcels.
- 04Wrap the IO panel bracket area separately — it is the most fragile structural component and breaks from flex stress during transit.
RAM
RAM sticks are small, light, and easy to ship — but the contact pads on the bottom edge are sensitive to static and physical contact scratches.
- 01Place each stick in an anti-static bag. The original plastic clamshell case from the retail packaging is ideal if you still have it.
- 02Wrap the cased or bagged sticks in bubble wrap, then pack inside a small rigid box. The box should be tight enough that the sticks cannot shift.
SSD & HDD
HDDs: vibration sensitiveSSDs are mechanically robust but sensitive to static. Hard drives (HDDs) are the most fragile component in the entire PC — the read heads park when the drive powers off but repeated vibration during transit can still cause platter damage or head misalignment.
- 01Place in an anti-static bag. For HDDs, wrap each face in a layer of bubble wrap before bagging.
- 02For HDDs: cushion all six faces with at least 2cm of bubble wrap. The drive must have zero contact with the box walls. Vibration transmitted through direct wall contact is what kills platters.
- 03Use a rigid box — not a padded envelope, even for M.2 SSDs. Padded jiffy bags allow flex, which can crack M.2 boards under courier compression.
Power supply unit (PSU)
PSUs are heavy and relatively robust internally, but the fan grille and modular connector port panel are vulnerable to impact deformation.
- 01The original box with foam inserts is the best packaging for a PSU — use it if you have it, inside an outer shipping box.
- 02Without the original box: wrap all faces with bubble wrap, at least 2cm thick. Place in a double-wall box. Fill all voids with foam or packing peanuts so the PSU cannot move.
- 03Bundle any attached cables separately and tape them to the side of the PSU before wrapping — loose cables inside a box become impact projectiles.
PC Case
Shipping a case with tempered glass panels is the most challenging packaging job in PC part shipping. The glass is the priority — once it shatters inside a box, fragments can scratch metal panels and mesh filters beyond repair.
- 01Remove all glass and acrylic panels and wrap each one individually in at least 5cm of bubble wrap. Stack flat, never on edge.
- 02Fill the interior of the case with old clothes, foam, or scrunched bubble wrap before closing it. An empty case interior amplifies any external impact.
- 03If the original box is unavailable, consider whether courier shipping a glass case is appropriate at all. Local pickup or a courier van service (e.g. Shiply) may be safer.
How to choose the right box
The box is your last line of defence. Choosing the wrong one — too big, too small, or single-wall — accounts for a significant proportion of in-transit damage claims.
Use double-wall for anything over 500g
Single-wall corrugated board is rated for household mail. Courier belts, drops, and compression from stacked parcels can collapse a single-wall box mid-route. Double-wall boxes (sometimes called heavy-duty boxes) have two corrugated layers and are standard at B&Q, Staples, and Amazon packaging supplies.
Match box size to wrapped component
After wrapping with bubble wrap, the box should be snug — ideally 1–2cm of clearance on each side for void fill, but no more. A component that can travel 5cm in any direction inside its box is a component waiting to break. Void fill is not a substitute for the right-sized box.
Reinforce box seams on all edges
Use the H-tape method on the base of the box: three strips along the seam and two crossing perpendicular. Courier belts pull at box bases. A single strip of tape will peel. Do the same on the top flaps after sealing. Do not over-tape the sides — it can obscure labels.
Where to get boxes cheaply in the UK
Supermarkets and off-licences give away double-wall boxes for free. B&Q and Screwfix sell double-wall moving boxes from around £1–£2 each. Amazon Basics and PackagingSuppliesOnline ship boxes by the pack at good per-unit cost for frequent sellers.
Always photograph before you seal — it's your evidence
This step is missed by most private sellers and is the single biggest factor in winning or losing a damage claim. Before you close the box:
- Photograph the component working — a quick Windows startup or benchmark screenshot with a visible timestamp proves it was functional at dispatch.
- Photograph the component in its anti-static bag before wrapping, showing condition — this is your evidence against false "item not as described" claims.
- Photograph the fully wrapped component before placing it in the box, and photograph the open box with the component inside before sealing.
- Photograph the sealed, labelled outer box — this confirms the parcel was intact at the time of handover.
Timestamped photos before sealing are your strongest defence in any courier damage or buyer dispute claim.
Store all photos in your camera roll tagged with the order reference or buyer username. Keep them until the buyer has confirmed receipt and left feedback. On platforms like Koukan, buyer confirmation closes the transaction — keep photos until then.
UK courier comparison for PC parts (2026)
Not all couriers treat packages equally, and the cheapest option is rarely the right option for valuable electronics. Here is a realistic breakdown of the main UK courier options for PC part sellers.
| Courier | Approx. Cost | Default Cover | Max Cover | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | £3–£6 | £100 | £750 (top-up) | Small, lighter parts: RAM, SSDs, CPUs under £100 |
| Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm | £8–£14 | £500 | £2,500 (enhanced) | GPUs, CPUs, motherboards — best all-round for mid-to-high value |
| Parcelforce 48 | £8–£16 | £100 | £2,500 | Heavier parcels (PSUs, full builds), good physical handling |
| DPD | £6–£12 | £100–£300 | £1,000+ | Excellent tracking, time-slot delivery — good for expensive items with extra cover |
| Evri (formerly Hermes) | £3–£6 | £20–£25 | £100 (enhanced) | Very cheap for non-fragile items — NOT recommended for PC parts |
Avoid Evri for GPUs and motherboards
Community reports across r/HardwareSwapUK, Koukan's seller forums, and eBay dispute threads consistently show very high damage rates for GPU shipments via Evri. The low insurance ceiling (£100 standard, £300 maximum with enhanced cover) combined with anecdotally rough parcel handling makes this a poor choice for anything fragile or valuable. Save Evri for cheap, non-breakable items.
Royal Mail: a UK seller's practical notes
Royal Mail remains the most trusted courier among UK private PC part sellers for a few key reasons — but the insurance system requires some understanding to use it correctly.
- Tracked 48 insurance cap is £100. You can top this up to £750 by purchasing "Royal Mail Extra Cover" at the Post Office counter — costs approximately £2–£3 per £100 increment. Worth doing for any item over £150.
- Compensation requires proof of item value. Royal Mail will ask for your original eBay listing, PayPal receipt, or Koukan transaction record to verify the value before paying out. Keep these until delivery is confirmed.
- Always drop off and get a receipt. Dropping into a Post Office counter gives you a stamped proof-of-postage receipt with the tracking number. This is essential if the parcel goes missing — Royal Mail will not process a claim without it. Never drop a parcel in a postbox.
- Special Delivery by 1pm is the gold standard for items over £200. It is next-day, tracked, requires a signature on delivery, and carries £500 default cover that can be extended to £2,500.
Labelling, insurance, and proof of postage
Always print your label — never handwrite
Handwritten felt-tip addresses smudge in rain and become unreadable after 24 hours on a damp parcel. Print your label, then tape it inside a clear plastic address sleeve or apply a full strip of packing tape over the top to waterproof it. If using a label sleeve, make sure the entire label is visible through the clear face.
Declare the full value — always
When asked for the parcel value at the Post Office, or when filling in a courier booking form online, declare the full sale price. Under-declaring to save on insurance is a false economy — if the item is lost or damaged, you can only claim up to the declared value, not the actual value. This has left UK sellers hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
Include a return address on the parcel
Write your return address on the back of the box in addition to (not instead of) the shipping label. If the label is damaged and the parcel cannot be delivered, a visible return address is the only way to get it back rather than have it destroyed.
Keep your proof of postage until feedback is received
Post Office receipts, courier booking confirmations, and tracking screenshots should all be kept until the buyer confirms receipt and closes the transaction. These are your evidence if a buyer claims non-delivery or initiates a chargeback. Most platforms (including Koukan) will resolve in the seller's favour if tracked delivery is confirmed and the buyer's address matches.
Drop-off vs collection — and when to offer local pickup
For Royal Mail, always drop off at a Post Office counter rather than posting in a red postbox or using an unmanned Parcel Collect box. Counter drop-off is the only way to get a dated, stamped proof-of-postage receipt — which is required for all insurance and loss claims.
For couriers like DPD and Evri, dropping off at a ParcelShop gives you a scan receipt that starts the tracking chain from your end. Collection services save a trip but add a time window uncertainty — if the driver does not scan on pickup, tracking starts later and disputes about when the item was dispatched become harder to resolve.
When to offer local pickup instead of posting
For items where the combination of packaging cost, courier fees, and insurance premiums exceeds 10–15% of the sale price, or where the item is particularly fragile (tempered glass case, large ATX tower, large monitor), local pickup is worth offering as an alternative or even as the preferred method. Benefits include:
- No shipping damage risk — the buyer sees and handles the item before handing over money
- No dispute possible over transit damage, non-delivery, or item condition on arrival
- Cash in hand — no payment processing, no waiting for clearance
Always meet in a public place for local pickup transactions — a car park, a supermarket entrance, or a designated safe meeting spot. Never invite strangers to your home address. Check notes on any safe exchange location services offered in your area.
Insurance: what to know before you post
Key insurance facts for UK PC part sellers
- →Royal Mail Tracked 48 default cover is £100. Top up to £750 via Extra Cover at the post office counter.
- →Royal Mail Special Delivery default cover is £500, extendable to £2,500 via enhanced compensation.
- →All Royal Mail compensation claims require proof of value — an eBay sold listing, PayPal receipt, Koukan transaction receipt, or bank statement entry.
- →Royal Mail will not pay compensation for inadequate packaging. If your claim is submitted and it becomes apparent the item was poorly packaged (no anti-static bag, single-wall box, no void fill), the claim will be rejected.
- →DPD and Parcelforce also require proof of value and will scrutinise packaging on damage claims. Always retain your packaging materials and photographs until the claim is settled.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a GPU in just a padded envelope?
No. A padded envelope (Jiffy bag) provides almost no rigid protection. GPUs are heavy and the PCIe connector is fragile — a drop or compression in transit with only a padded envelope will almost certainly cause damage. Always use a rigid double-wall box with bubble wrap and void fill.
What happens if my parcel is lost by Royal Mail?
For Tracked services, a parcel is not officially considered lost until 10 working days after the expected delivery date (28 for international). You can then submit a claim via the Royal Mail website. You will need your proof-of-postage receipt, tracking number, and proof of item value (platform receipt or listing screenshot). Claims are typically processed within 30 days. Special Delivery compensation is faster and less disputed due to the signed-delivery requirement.
Do I need anti-static bags for every component?
For any component with exposed circuit boards — GPU, CPU, motherboard, RAM, SSD — yes. A PSU in its original box, a case, or a CPU cooler do not strictly require anti-static bags, though they are not harmful. Anti-static bags cost pennies each in bulk from Amazon and the protection they offer against ESD (electrostatic discharge) damage is absolute. Do not skip them.
Should I insure for the sale price or the replacement price?
Insure for the sale price — the amount your buyer paid and the amount you would need to refund if the item arrives damaged. Couriers will only pay out up to the declared value, and declaring the new retail price for a used item is fraudulent and will be rejected during a claim. Keep your Koukan or platform receipt as the value proof document.
Is it safe to ship a motherboard without the original foam?
Yes, but you need to replicate the protection properly. The original foam is contoured to prevent the PCB from flexing. Without it, use a large anti-static bag, wrap the PCB in at least 2 layers of large-bubble bubble wrap on both sides, place in a rigid box that closely matches the board's dimensions, and fill all remaining voids with foam or crumpled kraft paper. The board must have zero movement inside the box.
Quick reference: the safe shipping checklist
- 01Anti-static bag. Every circuit board (GPU, CPU, motherboard, RAM, SSD) goes in an anti-static bag before anything else.
- 02Bubble wrap: 3cm minimum on all faces. Every hard surface needs cushioning. After bagging, wrap completely before placing in the box.
- 03Double-wall box, right size. Snug fit after wrapping. Fill voids with foam or packing peanuts. Nothing moves.
- 04Packing tape all seams: H-tape method on base and top. Three strips along the seam, two crossing perpendicular. No exceptions.
- 05Photograph before sealing. Working item, bagged item, wrapped item, open box, sealed box — five photos minimum.
- 06Printed, weatherproofed label. Printed not handwritten. Taped over with packing tape or inside a clear sleeve.
- 07Declare full sale value, top up insurance. Match cover to sale price. Keep platform receipt as proof.
- 08Post Office counter drop-off, get receipt. For Royal Mail: counter drop-off only, keep the stamped receipt until delivery confirmed.
Ready to list? Sell your PC parts on Koukan
You now have everything you need to pack and ship any PC component safely across the UK. Good packaging protects your buyer, protects your reputation, and protects your ability to collect on insurance if anything goes wrong.
List your parts on Koukan — the UK's dedicated marketplace for used PC components. No seller fees, knowledgeable buyers who understand what they are buying, and a dispute system built specifically around PC hardware transactions.
Selling a graphics card specifically? How to sell a used GPU in the UK for the best price covers timing, pricing, listing, packaging, and scam protection — everything in one place.