Anyone who regularly sees shipments come and go through UPS or FedEx can attest to the fact that the packages being shipped don’t always arrive in the same condition they were sent in. On its journey to the destination, the package may be tossed, tipped over, tumbled or stacked with other boxes on top of it. However, with the proper packing practices and the right supplies, you can ensure that even your set of fine china can be shipped without any damage during the journey to its destination.
To start packing your dishes, lay them out on a table according
to size and type – plates in one pile, cups in another, and larger trays and
heavier items in another. The largest
and heaviest items should be packed individually with three or four layers of
bubble wrap, depending on the fragility of each piece. The same goes for irregularly shaped items
that do not stack well together. This manner
of packing ensures that there are many layers of bubble that will act as a
buffer between each item.
For plates, bowls and saucers that are all uniform in size
and shape, we recommend that they be wrapped in small stacks of four or
five. In order to do so, however, it is
necessary to place a buffer between each plate.
Thin sheets of foam wrap will serve for this purpose, as they do not add
any significant weight but will still work well to protect the surface of each
plate. Once you have your stack of
alternating plates and foam sheets, it is ready to be bubbled into a single
bundle. For stacks like these with
multiple items together, four layers of bubble should protect them sufficiently.
Once you have everything wrapped in bubble, you must select
a sturdy box. Cartons known as “dish
packs” or “dish barrels” are ideal for shipping fragile china items – they have
a double layer of corrugated cardboard and are a little taller than a regular
shipping box. Depending on how large
your china set is, you may decide on a different size box instead of a dish
pack, which measures in at 18”x18”x28”.
If so, a comparable double layer carton is highly recommended. In addition, a layer or two of bubble wrap on
the top, bottom, and all four sides of the carton will help protect the contents
from external impacts.
Of course, the heaviest and strongest items should be placed
at the bottom of the box, and the lightest and smallest on the top. Items such as trays and plates should be
placed in the box edge-on so that they are vertical, not flat. If necessary, you may want to consider adding
a couple of layers of bubble in between layers of china for additional
buffering as you stack them in the box.
If there is any extra space to fill in between bundled items or at the
top of the box, bubble wrap or peanuts are good options to do so.
Now that you’ve learned the procedure for packing your china
set, you can rest easy knowing that you have done everything possible to ensure
your package arrives with its contents fully intact!
