What is the Best Method to Ship Fragile Items?

Handling fragile items particularly those of value or sentiment, can be nerve-wracking! The time has come when you must ship something that is fragile and you are not sure where to start. You could try hand-delivering the item yourself, however for a variety of reasons you are unable to do this such as when delivering an item that was won on an online auction site, purchased by an out of state buyer or to send fragile items to a destination ahead of time such as when moving to a new residence or vacation home. Or maybe you just need to ship something fragile that you recently purchased or made and want to make sure it gets there safely. Whatever the reason may be, here are some ideas to help you decide the best method to ship this fragile item.

When deciding what shipping method to use, the first things that must be considered is the type of item to be shipped, how large it is and how much it is valued. That will be a starting point for anyone shipping a fragile item. If the item is small and worth $100 or less, then it is safe to say that it can be shipped using a standard postal system method, which doesn't require any special handling. For items that are larger (over 40 lbs.) or worth $100 or more, than an alternate shipping method, such as an overnight delivery services, trucking service or other shipping method should be employed. That can be the case when shipping something like antiques, furniture, large pieces of artwork or sculptures, expensive pottery, metals or other heavy items.

When shipping any fragile items, it is important to prepare them ahead of time for shipping, regardless of shipping method chosen. This can be done by visually inspecting the item and taking pictures of them. The item should be carefully examined to determine if there is any damage pre-existing, such as cracks, dings, tears or surface damage and this should be noted for insurance purposes. An appraisal of the item should be done to determine the market value of the item and documented. This can be done by a skilled appraiser, antiques dealer or jeweler. This person can also offer advice as to how the item many best be shipped in order to get it to the intended recipient safely as they have experience with this. To prepare the item for shipment, one would carefully wrap the item in a material that can withstand bumps and jarring, such as bubble wrap, foam casing or paper packing material.

After the fragile item is carefully wrapped and the wrapping is secured with tape, then the item should be boxed carefully inside a box that is approximate to its size and shape. You can do this by cutting a larger box down and then carefully folding it and securing it around the fragile item. Don't worry if it isn't perfectly square or if it looks ugly, as this will be inside and looks are not important. Remember you are just creating a structure that will support the fragile item.

Now, this box containing the wrapped fragile item will fit inside another larger box or crate to help create a shock barrier for the fragile item. This is referred to as the double-box barrier method. You may also line the larger box with packing material, such as shredded paper, foam packing peanuts or even hay if using a wooden crate as the shipping container. Then the outside box can be sealed tight and labeled for shipping, by the safest method you have chosen. Choose an insurance rate that is within the range of the item's value and then send it off.

With careful planning, you can safely ship any fragile item to anywhere in the world. Just take time to think ahead to determine the best method to prepare and send your item and you will ensure its safe arrival.

Cup 80 - Making a Double Walled Pottery Cup - Trimming - Carving - Adding Handle

Floraline Pottery Vase Planter Double Handle 3 3/4" tall $7.49

Double Handle McCoy Pottery grandma Matt green Vase 9.50" tall 1940s $19.99

OLD VINTAGE GONDER POTTERY DOUBLE HANDLE VASE $9.99

VINTAGE ABINGDON ART POTTERY BLUE DOUBLE HANDLED VASE #516 STANDS 7" HIGH $24.99

Large Abingdon Art Pottery heavy gold trim Double Handled Vase Pink Roses NICE $14.99

New Clairvaux Pottery Monastery Double handled mug brown ceramic $19.99

Roseville Pottery Baneda Pink Double Handled Cabinet Vase - Excellent Condition! $126.50

Stangl Pottery Terra Rose Double Handled Basket Bowl Vintage $20.00

ANTIQUE LARGE WELLER POTTERY DOUBLE HANDLED FLORAL VASE ~ 12.5" $599.00

VINTAGE CZECHOSLOVAKIA MADE DOUBLE HANDLED POTTERY VASE $30.00

Van Briggle Pottery Double Handled Vase marked $990.00

Hull Art Pottery L-A 8 1/2" Water Lily Double Handle Vase Gloss Gold Trim $39.99

Brazil Art Pottery Large Double-Handled Table VASE Signed Doca Para $40.49

American Art Pottery #156 Blue Double Handled Vase $45.00

Vintage Mid-Century Blue Double Handle Art Deco Pottery Vase - Shawnee McCoy $5.95

ROSEVILLE POTTERY FREESIA DOUBLE-HANDLED VASE $80.00

FULPER POTTERY, MIRRORED BLUE FLAMBE, SWOLLEN DOUBLE HANDLED SHOULDER VASE~~ $475.00

ROSEVILLE POTTERY, FREESIA, TALL DOUBLE HANDLED GREEN VASE, VERY NICE~~ $275.00

HULL POTTERY CALLA LILY DOUBLE-HANDLED VASE--8 1/2" $65.00

Vintage Hull art pottery water lily double handle vase $44.99

HULL POTTERY CALLA LILY DOUBLE-HANDLED VASE--6 1/2" $50.00

HULL POTTERY CALLA LILY DOUBLE-HANDLED VASE--6 3/4" $45.00

ROSEVILLE POTTERY SNOWBERRY DOUBLE HANDLE CONSOLE BOWL 1BL1-10 PINK GREAT L@@K $112.50

1946 ROSEVILLE POTTERY SNOWBERRY VASE 1V-6 PINK DOUBLE HANDLES 6 1/2" TALL GREAT $77.50

1946 ROSEVILLE POTTERY SNOWBERRY CONSOLE BOWL 1BL1-10 DOUBLE HANDLES BLUE GREAT $67.50

WELLER Art Pottery WILD ROSE Double Handle VASE 8 1/4" $57.88

Roseville Art Pottery Magnolia Double - Handled Vase # 89 - 7 Estate Fine $129.99

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery COLUMBINE 13-6" VASE - PINK GREEN Double Handle $125.88

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery WHITE ROSE 983-7" VASE - PINK GREEN Double Handle $110.88

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery FREESIA 195-7" BUD VASE - BROWN Double Handle $77.88

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery SNOWBERRY 1BL1-6" Low BOWL Vase - BLUE Double Handle $95.88

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery COLUMBINE 150-6" VASE - PINK GREEN Double Handle $110.88

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery WHITE ROSE 982-7" VASE - BLUE Double Handle $145.88

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery FREESIA 117-6" Cabinet VASE - BROWN Double Handle $85.88

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery CLEMATIS 187-7" BUD VASE - BROWN Double Handle $85.88

Large 9 1/4" ROSEVILLE Art Pottery WATER LILY 79-9" VASE - BLUE Double Handle $245.88

Hull art pottery Double handled floral decorated Vase H-6-6 1/2" $21.99

Trenton Potteries Company Gold Double Handled Vase $22.00

VINTAGE AUTHENTIC ROSEVILLE POTTERY #655-3 BLUE COLUMBINE DOUBLE HANDLE LOW BOWL $31.00

Roseville Pottery Green Freesia Double Handled Vase # 200-7 Estate Sale $149.99

Roseville Pottery Delft Blue Double- Handled Console Bowl Pattern Freesia #465-8 $149.99

ROSEVILLE Art Pottery PEONY 432-12" - CONSOLE BOWL Green Double Handle $135.88

Rowe Pottery Works 1991 Salt Glazed Bean Pot with Lid Double Handle Heart $49.00

Roseville Pottery RARE GREEN ~ 1938 - Double Handled Low Vase - ESTATE SALE ITEM $99.99

Roseville USA Pottery 202 Blue Zephyr Lily 8" Double Handled Vase $69.00

Roseville Art Pottery Water Lily Blue Double Handle Vase 437-6" C.1935 Free Ship $34.99

Unusual older Unmarked KY Bybee Pottery double handled cup or sugar bowl red $14.99

Vintage HULL Art Pottery Double Handled Vase H-6-6 1/2" Blue Flowers $19.99

DEDHAM POTTERY HUGE 10" CROCK POTTING SHED DOUBLE HANDLE $75.00

Hull Pottery Yellow and Pink Mat Finish Magnolia Double Handled Vase W-6-7 1/2 $10.50

Roseville Pottery Freesia Brown Jardiniere Double Handle 463-5" $60.00

Vintage~OLDER~SIGNED "REGISTERED" #3031~DOUBLE HANDLED MULTI COLORED POTTERY URN $54.99

2 Blue STANGL Pottery Double Handle Sugar Jars, 2019 $9.99

VINTAGE ROSEVILLE USA POTTERY DOUBLE HANDLE VASE COLUMBINE BLUE RAISED MARK 12-4 $13.99

Germany Brown Drip Pottery Double Handled Vase $22.00

Pottery Double Handled Hand Painted Crock $9.50

Vintage Camark Art Pottery Pink Double Handled Vase - 404 $14.99

Evangeline Red Drip Pottery double handled vase $25.00

Double Handled, Hand Painted Pottery Vase made in Japan $8.99

ROSEVILLE USA Pottery 14" Double Handle Console Bowl MAGNOLIA Pattern 449-10 $59.99

BENNINGTON double handle SPONGEWARE mug CUP POTTERY VERMONT coffee TEA blue $15.00

ESTATE....VINTAGE....HUNGARY POTTERY DOUBLE HANDLE VASE $29.99

Small Vintage Pottery Shawnee Vase - Double Handle - Yellow $20.00

Vintage Weller Pottery Flemish Double Handled Basket $120.00

Vintage Carlos Dowling Bermuda Double Handle Pottery Mug $8.99

LARGE VINTAGE GONDER ART POTTERY DOUBLE HANDLE VASE EAMES ERA RETRO MID CENTURY $14.99

Antique Majolica Pottery Double Handled Vase $35.95

Original Vintage Nelson McCoy Pottery Vase Green Matte 9 1/2" Double Handle $72.00

ARTS & CRAFTS Era Double Handled Pottery Cabinet VASE $11.88

VINTAGE RARE ART POTTERY COLORED DOUBLE HANDLED BOWL WELLER ROSEVILLE POTTERY nr $17.99

ROSEVILLE POTTERY, TOURMALINE, BLUE DOUBLE HANDLED VASE, VERY NICE GLAZE~~ $225.00

McCoy Pottery Double Handled Vase 9"Excellent!! Look!!! $76.99

CALIFORNIA POTTERY-HEN ON NEST-BROWN DOUBLE HANDLED SOUP SERVING BOWL-CF 37 $29.99

PIONEER POTTERY USA IRIDESCENT BLUE/GREEN BUD VASE WITH DOUBLE 22K HANDLES $5.99

Roseville Freesia Art Pottery Urn Vase 196-8 Vintage Flower Double Handled NR! $0.99

Unusual Antique Green and Brown Mottled Art Pottery Double Handled Planter $19.99

Polish Pottery CA XL Double Handle Teapot BLUEBERRY $94.83

VINTAGE BLUE ART POTTERY DOUBLE HANDLED VASE $19.54

ROSEVILLE POTTERY DOUBLE-HANDLED LAUREL VASE $130.00

VINTAGE ROSEVILLE OHIO ART POTTERY BITTERSWEET DOUBLE VASE #858 BRANCH HANDLE $20.50

CorningWare 1035985 French White 20-Ounce Mug $9.92 22-ounce Pop-Ins Mug with Blue Vented Plastic Cover; Large capacity Stoneware Mug accommodates all your favorites. Tight fitting plastic cover with steam vent for use in microwave....

NEW, 10 oz. (Ounce) French Onion Soup Bowl, Crock Bowl, Single-Serving, Ceramic, Two-Tone Color, Flat Rim, Two-eared Rim Handle $6.00 This one-of-a-kind crock soup bowl is a must have for serving your favorite French onion soup, stews, chili or other soup. The bowl features a eye-catching unique onion bulb-shape, flat setting rim perfect for setting melted cheese for French onion soup, two opposite ear handle for finger-handling, smooth gloss exterior & interior finish and features an attractive two-tone dark caramel brown and...

Creativeware 3 Gallon Acrylic Beverage Dispenser $26.91 Acrylic 3 Gallon Beverage Dispenser Will not break if it tips over, making it just as safe and easy to serve cool, refreshing beverage. Lighter fortransporting. Just lift off top with handle and add your favorite beverage, ice, fruit or sweeteners. Features no-drip, easy pull spout for dispensing. Great for parties or everyday use....

Table Lamp Double Handles Trophy Base in Chocolate Brown $210.00 Dimension: 31" Total of Height Lamp Shade Dimension: 17"W x 12"D x 11"H Finish: Chocolate Brown Material: Ceramic Table Lamp Double Handles Trophy Base in Chocolate Brown The trophy designed lamp base features ribbed details with double handles. This Casa Cristina table lamp offers any home majestic atmosphere. Comes with bell shaped shade with trims. This table lamp uses 100w bulb max. Item is U...

Red Double Handled Pottery Table Lamp $225.00 Pottery's the perfect accessory for a casual, sophisticated room because the medium effortlessly bridges the gap between elegance and liveability. This dark red classic urn has twisted handles for visual interest and is a good size for sidetable or large nightstand....