How to Pack and Ship Dishes
Whether you’re sending a wedding gift, moving across the country, or selling handmade tableware online, it’s important to know how to pack tableware so it arrives safely at its destination. Here are some tips on how to pack dishes safely for shipping.
Packing any type of item, but especially fragile items like dishes, always starts with choosing the right packing materials. To ensure that your dishes arrive intact, you will need a heavy-duty corrugated box, plenty of cushioning materials (packing paper, foam or bubble wrap, etc.), and heavy-duty packing tape. We strongly recommend that you invest in quality materials and do not reuse old boxes, even if they look good and seem strong enough.
The shipping box should be large enough for the dishes and packing materials that will protect them from external shock, but not too large. If you’re shipping a lot of dishes, it’s better to divide them into several boxes, with each box weighing no more than 10 pounds. It may cost more to ship several boxes separately, but this approach will keep your dishes safe (and if you want to save on shipping, you can get discounted shipping labels). Each box should contain the same type of dishes (plates, bowls, cups, etc.).
To keep the dishes safe, you must wrap each item individually in several layers of packing material. Start with the packing paper. For plates, place a plate upside down over a sheet of packing paper, fold in each corner until they meet in the center of the plate, and tape the paper down. For cups and bowls, place the item over a sheet of packing paper, pull each corner toward the opening, and fill the inside of the item with crumpled packing paper. Do not use newspaper, as the ink may transfer to the surface of the dishes. Once you’ve wrapped each item in paper, add one or two layers of foam or bubble wrap for extra protection. Be sure to tape down the wrapping to prevent it from coming loose in transit.
Before packing the dishes, line the bottom and sides of the box with several layers of bubble or foam wrap, which will create a cushion between your dishes and any hard surface if the box is accidentally dropped. Carefully place the dishes inside; when shipping plates, be sure to place them on their sides rather than stacking them on top of each other. To further protect the dishes from each other, separate them with pieces of cardboard. Fill any remaining space in the box with more cushioning material.
Close the box and seal it with several layers of strong packing tape. Make sure that all seams are tightly sealed to protect the contents of the box from dust and moisture; you can also use packing tape to reinforce the edges and corners of the box.
Now you need to label the box and give it to the carrier for delivery. You can purchase a shipping label online directly from the carrier of your choice or from a third-party service such as PostageMaker; many people prefer third-party services because they offer shipping discounts. Print the label and attach it to the package, making sure the label isn’t bent over the edge and that the barcode is visible and scannable.
Be sure to mark your package as fragile on each side by using special stickers or writing the word “Fragile” in large, bold letters with a permanent marker. It is also recommended that you use “This Side Up” stickers to ensure that your package is handled with care. Once your package is properly labeled, all you need to do is leave it at the carrier’s pick-up location (since the contents of your package are fragile, we recommend not dropping it in a collection box) or arrange for a package pickup.
If the tableware you’re shipping is expensive or has sentimental value, consider purchasing additional insurance. Of course, your grandmother’s vintage plates may be irreplaceable, and it would be a shame if something happened to them, but some financial compensation in the event of damage certainly can’t hurt. And if you’re not sure you can properly pack fragile dishes yourself, see if your carrier offers packing services.