How to Prepare Fragile Items for Overseas Shipping

Whether it is relocating to different countries or just sending sensitive materials, one needs to understand the importance of packaging and preparation. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide on how to secure your fragile items when shipping them within international borders.

1. Select Superior Quality Packing Materials

• Using the right materials will also significantly lower the chances of damages. Here is a list of things you might require:
• Sturdy Boxes: Ensure to select only new and quality double walled boxes which are strong enough to endure the journey.
• Bubble Wrap: It serves the purpose of covering fragile items such as glass, china, and electric devices.
• Packing Paper: Use soft and non-scratchy paper for wrapping fragile surfaces and squeaky cages.
• Packing Peanuts or Foam: Used in boxes to fill the vacant spaces to stop the movable items from moving during shipping.
• Fragile Labels: Look for boxes marked “Fragile” or annotated “Handle With Care” for alert to the handlers.
• Packing Tape: Even though the boxes are themselves strong, a packing tape comes in handy to properly secure the boxes.

2. Wrap Each Item Individually

This will help in avoiding each fragile item rubbing onto the other during movement. Do the following:

• Use bubble wrap: Every item should be covered in a minimum of three layers of bubble wrap. Ensure that delicate areas such as handles and ends have sufficient padding.
• Secure with Tape: After wrapping, fasten the bubble wrap with packing tape for a proper hold on the object’s surface.
• Double-Wrap for Extra Protection: With some fragile pieces such as glass and porcelain, double taping into one container may not be sufficient. Instead, you should separate the item into individual boxes before placing them inside a bigger box.

3. Cushion the Box

In fact, the essence of cushioning fragile items enhanced when delivering overseas is to ensure that no movement to the said items occurs, whilst enclosed in the box. Here’s how to cushion the box properly:

• Prepare the Inside: Prior to putting any objects into the box, the bottom must be prepared by adding packing peanuts or foam and crumpled packing paper.
• Save Additional Space: In the case that several delicate components are packed in the same box, the bottom will be padded with a soft cushion and extra padding will be placed in between the pieces.

4. Heavier Items Pack First

When consolidating several fragile items into a single box, always place first the heavy and strong items and reserve the light and fragile ones last. This is to avoid the crushing of lighter items in shipping with heavier ones. 

5. Utilize the Space 

When all fragile items are already inside the box, any other empty spaces left should be filled with packing peanuts, foam or crumple paper. The aim is to prevent the items from moving while in transit because such movements may cause damages to the items.

6. Secure the Box

After placing the box in the correct position with expansion foam or other materials, close the box using good quality packing tape. Reinforce all the joints and apply several strips of tape in order to avoid any folding of the box during transport. This is critical in the case of overseas mailing as packages are subjected to rough handling.

7. Stick the Proper Labels on the Box

Place the box in such a manner that all sides bear the words ” Fragile” and ” Please Do Not Grumble ” Stickers. Attach labels that request vertical position when there is one side of the box that should remain upwards. An additional “this side up” sticker assists in preserving the correct orientation of boxes during their transport.

8. Apply for the Coverage of Your Package

If you have priceless possessions, you might want to take out an insurance policy for them. International shipping comes with its fair share of risks, such as rough handling, bad weather, long distances, among others. It is always better to have insurance in case of loss or damage as it helps in recovery.