Reusing Corrugated Boxes for Shipping

Is it OK to use a box that was already used in thethe ORM-D label on the top flap of the box. According
shipping process? The answer is: sometimes!to DOT regulations, the ORM-D label MUST be
Many times, when we receive something that weremoved before shipping back your Avon returns, or
want to send back, we think nothing of using thethe common carrier will not be able to accept the
original box for the return shipment. This is usuallypackage. The only carriers permitted to handle
acceptable, but there are things you want to look outhazardous materials containers are those trained in
for when reusing a corrugated box.handling them, such as the UPS or FedEx customer
First, make sure it is a shipping box. A box that is ratedcounters (i.e., the local "hub" facilities). If you take an
for shipping contains a round seal called theORM-D labeled box to a The UPS Store location, you
certification. The seal indicates the testing that the boxwill have to cut out the ORM-D label yourself and
went through to become certified for shipping.assure the store personnel that there is nothing
Second, make sure that the box has no holes in it.hazardous being shipped in the container.
Cover any holes with carton sealing tape. Never useLastly, cover up any old labels that are on the box.
masking tape, duct tape, or cellophane (e.g., Scotch)Barcodes are used by common carriers' sorting
tape for shipping. These tapes do not hold during thesystems, so extraneous barcodes must be covered
shipping process.up. Note that they should NOT be removed. Tearing
Third, make sure there are no "hazardous" markings.off old labels ruins the integrity of the corrugate.
These are usually triangular symbols that indicate theNEVER peel off old labels; simply cover them with
presence of hazardous contents that must benew blank labels or use a marker to black out old
specially handled. In the case of Avon products, mostbarcodes.
of the boxes that are shipped to distributors contain