Shipping dishes can be challenging because of their weight and fragile nature. Unlike many household goods, dishes require careful packing and protection to help ensure they arrive safely at their destination. This is especially important when shipping a complete set of sentimental, valuable, antique, or heirloom dishes.
Proper packing techniques can help protect plates, bowls, china, porcelain, and glassware during long-distance shipping. This guide covers practical methods for packing and shipping dishes, including choosing the right materials, limiting box weight, and using double-boxing for additional protection.
What Should You Consider When Shipping Dishes and Glassware?
Safeguarding dishes during shipping starts with understanding their fragility, weight, value, and packing requirements. Here are several important factors to consider before packing your dishes for shipment.
Fragility of Dishes, China, and Glassware
Often crafted from ceramic or glass, dishes are inherently breakable, and delicate bone china or porcelain dishes require even more caution. Proper packing techniques should prioritize protection against movement, pressure, and impact during handling and transportation. Taking extra precautions becomes even more important when shipping valuable or antique dishes with sentimental or monetary significance.
One effective method for adding protection is double-boxing. Double-boxing provides an additional protective layer, especially when shipping dishes of significant value or irreplaceable sentimental importance. Bubble packaging, packing paper, foam inserts, and other cushioning materials can also be used to protect individual pieces and limit movement inside the box.
Choose the Right Dish Packing Materials
When shipping dishes over long distances, consider using a specialized box designed for fragile dishware, commonly known as a dish pack. You will also need ample protective padding, such as bubble packaging and packing paper.
Avoid using newspaper or newsprint directly against dishes because ink or dye may transfer onto their surfaces. Professional packing materials provide cleaner, more consistent protection for china, porcelain, glassware, and other fragile pieces.
Choose the Correct Box Size for Shipping Dishes
Choosing the appropriate box size is important when packing and shipping dishes. The box needs enough room for protective cushioning while avoiding excessive empty space that can allow items to shift during transit.
For double-boxing, a smaller packed box can be placed securely inside a larger outer box with cushioning between the two boxes. For example, a 16" x 16" x 16" inner box may be packed within an 18" x 18" x 18" outer box when the size and quantity of the dishes make those dimensions appropriate.
Consider the Value of Your Dishes
In the case of a relocation, it may be more practical to donate or sell inexpensive dishes and replace them at your new location. Antique, valuable, collectible, or heirloom dishes may require additional packing protection and shipping coverage.
Contact your shipping provider to discuss available coverage options for valuable dishes. Documentation, photographs, receipts, or professional appraisals may also be helpful when shipping items with significant monetary value.
Keep Dish Shipping Boxes at a Manageable Weight
Avoid overloading boxes with too many dishes. Excessive weight can put additional pressure on the contents and increase the risk of box failure or damage during handling. Heavy boxes may also be more difficult to lift and transport safely.
Instead of packing an entire dish set into one or two heavy boxes, distribute the pieces across several smaller, manageable boxes. The appropriate weight will depend on the box, packing materials, and dishes being shipped, but keeping each box manageable can help reduce strain on the packaging and make handling easier.
Estimate How Many Boxes You Will Need
The number of boxes needed depends on the size of the dish set, the type of dishes, and the amount of protective packing material required. A standard dish set may require several boxes once plates, bowls, cups, serving pieces, and fragile glassware are individually protected.
Before packing, take inventory of the pieces you plan to ship. This can help you estimate packing materials, box quantities, and potential shipping costs more accurately.
How Do You Pack Dishes for Shipping?
When packing dishes for shipping, the goal is to protect each piece individually and prevent movement inside the box. A careful packing process can help reduce the risk of chips, cracks, and breakage during transportation.
- Inspect and inventory your dishes. Identify fragile, valuable, antique, or sentimental pieces that may need additional protection.
- Wrap each dish individually. Use packing paper, bubble packaging, or another appropriate cushioning material around each piece.
- Protect edges and delicate areas. Pay particular attention to rims, handles, stems, and decorative components that may be more vulnerable to impact.
- Add cushioning to the box. Create a protective layer at the bottom of the box before placing wrapped dishes inside.
- Limit movement. Fill open spaces with appropriate packing material so dishes cannot shift freely during transit.
- Consider double-boxing. Valuable, fragile, or heirloom dishware may benefit from an inner box placed inside a cushioned outer box.
- Seal the box securely. Use quality packing tape and reinforce seams as needed before shipping.
Professional Packing and Shipping for Dishes and Glassware
Shipping antique china, heirloom dishes, valuable glassware, or a complete dish set can require more protection than standard parcel packing. Professional packing can help determine the appropriate box size, cushioning materials, and shipping method based on the quantity, fragility, and value of the items.
Are you planning to ship dishes or glassware? Find a Pak Mail location near you and let our packing and shipping experts help. Pak Mail can professionally pack and ship fragile dishes, china, porcelain, and glassware based on the specific needs of your shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Dishes
What is the best way to pack dishes for shipping?
The best way to pack dishes for shipping is to wrap each piece individually, protect fragile edges and handles, add cushioning around the contents, and prevent movement inside the box. Fragile or valuable dishes may also benefit from double-boxing.
Should you wrap each dish individually before shipping?
Yes. Plates, bowls, cups, china, and other fragile dishes should generally be wrapped individually. Individual wrapping helps prevent dishes from rubbing against or directly impacting one another during handling and transportation.
Should dishes be packed vertically or stacked flat?
Plates are often packed vertically on their edges with appropriate cushioning because this can help distribute pressure differently than stacking them flat. The best packing method depends on the type, size, and fragility of the dishes being shipped.
What packing materials should I use to ship dishes?
Common materials include packing paper, bubble packaging, foam cushioning, sturdy corrugated boxes, and specialized dish packs. The amount and type of protection needed will depend on the dishes and the shipping method.
Should I double-box dishes for shipping?
Double-boxing may be recommended for fragile, valuable, antique, or sentimental dishes. The packed inner box is placed inside a larger outer box with cushioning between the two boxes to provide an additional layer of protection.
How do you ship antique china or heirloom dishes?
Antique china and heirloom dishes should be evaluated for fragile edges, handles, existing damage, and overall value before packing. Individual wrapping, additional cushioning, double-boxing, and appropriate coverage options may be recommended for valuable or irreplaceable pieces.
Can I use newspaper to pack dishes for shipping?
Newspaper is generally not recommended for direct contact with dishes because ink or dye may transfer to their surfaces. Clean packing paper and professional cushioning materials are better options for protecting china, porcelain, and glassware.
How heavy should a box of dishes be?
A box of dishes should remain at a manageable weight for safe handling and appropriate for the strength of the box being used. Avoid placing an entire dish set into one excessively heavy box. Dividing dishes among several properly packed boxes can help reduce pressure on the contents and packaging.
How much does it cost to ship dishes?
The cost to ship dishes depends on the number of boxes, packed dimensions, weight, destination, shipping method, and professional packing requirements. Valuable or especially fragile dishes may require additional packing materials or coverage options.
Can Pak Mail professionally pack and ship dishes for me?
Yes. Pak Mail locations provide professional packing and shipping services for dishes, china, porcelain, glassware, and other fragile household items. A local Pak Mail packing specialist can evaluate your items and recommend an appropriate packing and shipping solution.