This category is bulky rather than delicate, with one absolute rule at the front.
Completely dry, always
Never post anything even slightly damp. Fabric sealed in a parcel for three days in Indian humidity arrives smelling of mould, and mould is permanent. Dry it fully — longer than you think — before it goes anywhere near a bag.
Then compress
Stuff sacks and compression straps exist to make this cheap. Use them, because volume costs money on most courier pricing.
- Everything dry
- Compressed into its own sack where it has one
- Sealed plastic bag against damp in transit
- Mailer or box, seams taped
- Small parts — pegs, spares, fittings — bagged separately and listed in the parcel
Poles and anything long
Elastic inside pole sections perishes; do not post poles under tension if you can avoid it. Pad the ends, which is where they punch through a bag.
Length pricing applies here too. How delivery is charged.
Optics
Binoculars and scopes are the fragile exception. Caps on, in their case, bubble around the case, box with the voids filled. Never loose in a soft bag.
Stoves and fuel
Post the stove; do not post fuel. Gas canisters and liquid fuel are restricted and most couriers refuse them outright. Say in the listing that fuel is not included.
Questions people ask
What if a buyer wants the gas canister?
They cannot have it by post. Offer collection or sell the stove alone.
Can I compress a sleeping bag for posting?
For the journey, yes. Add a line telling the buyer to store it uncompressed, because long compression kills loft.
How dry is dry?
Dry to the touch at every seam, then left another day. This is the most common avoidable complaint in the category.