How to Ship Test, Lab and Engineering Equipment Without Damage

To ship test, lab or engineering equipment safely, put it in a reusable hard shipping case with custom-cut foam, ESD-safe material for electronics, a pressure equalization valve if it flies, and a build rated for repeated handling such as ATA Spec 300 Category I. Cardboard and bubble wrap may survive one trip, but calibrated instruments that move between labs, customer sites and calibration vendors need a case built for the full lifecycle.

What Makes a Good Equipment Shipping Case

1. A shell matched to the shipping method

• Injection-molded cases (Pelican, SKB) for handheld meters, scopes and analyzers that travel as baggage or parcel.
• Rotomolded cases (Pelican-Hardigg, SKB 3R) for larger instruments that ship freight and get forklifted.
• Thermoformed cases (Bel-Air) for lighter-weight custom sizes and high-volume programs.
• Aluminum cases (Zarges) for maximum stiffness, stackability and long service life.

2. Foam that is engineered, not stuffed

Custom-cut polyethylene or cross-link foam holds the instrument in place and spreads impact loads across its strongest surfaces. For circuit boards and sensitive electronics, specify anti-static or conductive foam to prevent electrostatic discharge. See how custom foam inserts are designed.

3. Pressure, moisture and environment

Sealed cases that fly need an automatic pressure equalization valve so the lid opens at the destination. Add desiccant and a humidity indicator for instruments sensitive to condensation. For defense programs, cases are often specified to MIL-STD-810 environmental testing.

4. Shock isolation for the most sensitive gear

Optical systems, hard drives and precision sensors may need an internal shock-mounted frame rather than foam alone. Rack-format instruments can go in a shock-mounted rack case.

Recommended Cases by Equipment Type

Handheld and benchtop instruments

Multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators and portable analyzers fit well in mid-size waterproof cases with custom foam:

Large instruments and system kits

Larger systems, field test kits and multi-component setups need rotomolded or thermoformed cases with forklift-ready bases and heavy-duty hardware:

Browse Pelican-Hardigg rotomolded cases, Bel-Air heavy-duty shipping cases and Zarges aluminum cases.

Aerospace and defense programs

Programs with traceability and compliance requirements should look for a supplier with the right certifications. Read what AS9100D and ITAR certification mean for case buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions