Packaging and Shipping China & Glassware
Written by Kelley Hopper on January 9th, 2010I purchased items several times a month and am surprised how many sellers don’t seem to know how to package an item for shipping. I have received books on multiple occasions from a large book seller that came to me with the covers damaged from shifting around in the box during shipping. It is very common for me to receive restaurant equipment (another business) with shipping damage as well. Shipping doesn’t have to be difficult if you think it through.
Fragile items need to be wrapped individually in bubble wrap before being placed in a box that is at least 2″ larger all the way around than the item you are shipping. This protects the item from most damage and is a requirement to win an insurance claim if you have to file one when an item arrives broken.
Packaging multiple glassware or china items in one box is fine unless they are very expensive or extremely fragile. Make sure each and every item is wrapped separately in plenty of bubble wrap so that no two pieces can touch directly.
Double boxing extremely fragile items is a better way to keep them from getting broken. Double boxing means getting two shipping boxes, one box that is at least 2″ larger all the way around than the item you are shipping and one that is at least 2″ larger all the way around than the first box. Pack the fragile item in the smaller box as you normally would with the proper bubble wrap and packing peanuts for fill. Take the larger box and put 2″ – 3″ of packing peanuts in the bottom of the box before inserting the smaller box. Pack tightly with packing peanuts on the top and sides of the box before sealing shut.
Gently rock the box from side to side and feel if anything inside shifts. If you feel movement you need to repack the box. It is very important that items not shift in the package during shipping.
Keep package weights on china and glassware under 15 lbs. is the rule of thumb I use. Boxes that are heavier than that may experience damage from being bumped around during shipping. The heavier the box, the more force it will exert if it is dropped.
The better you package your items, the more likely they are to make it to their destination in one piece. Having well packaged items using the guidelines set out by your chosen shipper will help you win an insurance claim should your shipment get damaged en route to your buyer.
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Tags: packing peanuts, shipping china, shipping fragile items, shipping glassware
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