How to Film an Unboxing Video That Gets Your Claim Approved
A practical filming guide: one continuous unedited take, good framing and light, what to show for each claim type, and how to upload (25MB limit or a Drive link).
For damage, defect, wrong-item and missing-item claims, a continuous, clear, unedited unboxing video is mandatory — claims without one may not be approved. This guide shows you how to film it so it actually does its job.
Press record before you touch the parcel — one continuous take.
Before you press record
- Charge your phone and free up storage — a dead battery mid-video ruins the take.
- Film in good light, ideally daylight. Dark, grainy footage hides the very details we need to see.
- Clear a table or floor space so you can lay everything out.
- Don't open the parcel first. The whole point is showing the parcel as it arrived. If you already opened it, film what's left honestly and explain — but an intact sealed parcel on camera is far stronger.
The one non-negotiable rule
Press record BEFORE you touch the parcel, and don't stop until you're done. One continuous take: no cuts, no pauses, no edits, no filters. An edited video can't prove what arrived in the box, so edits invalidate it.
One continuous shot — no cuts, no edits.
What to show, in order
The sealed parcel
Show all sides, the tape, and the general condition.
The shipping label, close up
Hold it steady for a few seconds so the order details are readable.
Opening
Open the parcel on camera, straight through.
Everything inside
Lay out all contents where the camera can see them — then show the problem clearly and up close: damaged — the crack, dent, tear or break, from two angles; defective — the fault itself, and if it needs power or assembly to show, demonstrate it on camera; wrong item — the item next to your order confirmation showing what you actually ordered; missing item — count and name each item on camera so the gap is obvious.
Narrate as you go
Say your order number and the date, and describe what you're showing. It takes seconds and removes all doubt.
Common mistakes that get videos rejected
- Pausing to "fix" the lighting or answer the door — keep recording through it, or start over.
- Filming only the damaged spot without showing the sealed parcel and label first.
- Shaky, rushed footage where nothing is readable — slow down, hold steady.
- Screenshots or screen recordings instead of real footage.
Uploading your video
- The Returns portal accepts uploads up to 25MB. Most phones let you trim or compress — just don't *cut* content out of the middle.
- For longer videos, upload the full file to Google Drive, set the link to "anyone with the link can view", and paste the link in the portal. A Drive link never expires your claim — a private or restricted link does block review, so check the sharing setting.
- Keep the original video on your phone until your claim is fully resolved.
Make filming the parcel a habit for *every* delivery, not just ones you suspect. Thirty seconds of video is the cheapest insurance your claim can have.
Q: Can I edit or trim my unboxing video?
No. The video must be one continuous, unedited take — no cuts, pauses, edits, or filters. Edits invalidate it because they break the proof of what arrived in the box. You may compress the file size, but never cut content out of the middle.
Q: What if I already opened the parcel before filming?
Film what's left honestly and explain on camera — but an intact sealed parcel on camera is far stronger. For future orders, press record before touching the parcel.
Q: My video is bigger than 25MB. What do I do?
Upload the full file to Google Drive, set the link to 'anyone with the link can view', and paste the link in the Returns portal. Check the sharing setting — a private or restricted link blocks review.
Q: Do I need to show the shipping label?
Yes — hold the label steady and close up for a few seconds so the order details are readable. It connects the parcel to your order.
Q: Should I narrate the video?
Yes. Say your order number and the date, and describe what you're showing as you go. It takes seconds and removes all doubt.