How to Pack and Ship Your Fine China or Glassware

Co-authored by Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®

Last Updated: April 11, 2025 Approved

Whether you are moving your heirloom china with you to a new home or sending a beautiful tea set as a gift, you will always want assurance that the items will arrive safely in one piece. Follow these steps for successful packing methods.

Steps

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Select a box that will allow you to pack no more than 10 lbs (about 4.5 kg). In the packing industry, the right size box for china and glassware is often called a "dish pack" barrel, or dish barrel.
- It is important to keep the size compact because packing too many pieces in a single box makes the box difficult to move, and provides a temptation for movers to put a larger, heavier box at the bottom of a stack when loading into trucks, which can mean that your best china ends up sitting under too much weight.
- You can use packing or moving boxes, called dish packs, to pack glassware and keep it safe.^{[1]
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  Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
  Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager
  
  Expert Interview}
- They have cardboard structures inside, where you can insert the glasses.^{[2]
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  Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
  Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager
  
  Expert Interview}
- You can even put the glass in a foam envelope and put it in the pack. Keep something soft on the bottom of the box before putting the insert. Ensure things are not jiggling too much, especially around the periphery.^{[3]
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  Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
  Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager
  
  Expert Interview}
The box must be crowded with peanuts or foam.^{[4]
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(Avoid printed newspaper as the ink will rub off on whatever is wrapped with it and will not wash off of items with a porous surface.) Wrap each piece separately. If you wrap more than one item per sheet of paper, be sure that no china or glass areas come into contact with other glass or china. Ensure adequate layering and excellent padding around each item - this isn't the time to skimp on wrapping materials.^{[5]
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Pack the wrapped items into the box. Arrange the wrapped items in the box, with cushion foam or scrunched-up paper placed between each piece. Ensure that the sides of the objects being packed are at least 1" (2.5cm) away from the edge of the box. Certain items require special attention:^{[6]
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- For plates, place them on their edge, as they are much stronger packed that way, making certain they do not touch the bottom. Put scrunched up newspaper at the bottom of a box carrying plates, and then slide cardboard, bubble wrap, or foam between them. It is recommended to wrap each plate in a few sheets of paper to keep them well padded and to prevent them from coming into contact with each other.
- Wrap the lids of items such as sugar bowls, teapots, and casserole dishes separately from the main portion. If the lid is very small, gently tape it in place after wrapping both pieces so it will not be lost. Then wrap the item as a single unit.
- Make a set of inside spacers from cardboard to keep your glassware separated. Doing this can save them from being broken. Also, heavier glasses should be packed on the bottom, with lighter, more fragile glasses placed on top.
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Fill in all the empty areas of the box with foam, scrunched-up paper, or packing peanuts. This will prevent the items from moving around or shifting inside the box.^{[7]
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- Check for movement. If there is any movement, add more stuffing to prevent it.
- If you are using a shipper such as FedEx or UPS, use double boxing with packing peanuts to fill empty space between the outer and inner boxes.
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Tape or shut the lid firmly. Even if the lid has a special shutting mechanism, it pays to tape over it to prevent accidental opening during transit. Write "FRAGILE" and "THIS WAY UP" on the sides and top of the box. It is also a good idea to note the exact contents of the box, such as "glassware", or "china plates", etc.
- Check for the potential for indentation. If the box can be compressed in any way from items placed on it, this pressure can damage the contents. If you can press the lid in, add more stuffing to stop it from being compressed.

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Question

Does foam stuffing help to protect delicate items from breaking?

Community Answer

Yes.

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I'll be traveling soon and I wonder if it is possible to take my porcelain china in my carry-on bag rather than in my checked luggage. Would that be allowed?

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Yes, just remember a carry-on has to be small. You may have trouble fitting it with all the packing you'll need.

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Tips

Almost every large sized city has packing materials suppliers and the pricey office supply or other shipping specialists do not beat their prices. Sometimes you can find a gift shop or other retailer who receives large amounts of bubble wrap and packing peanuts who will gladly pass some on to you for nothing. Visit your local mall and ask retailers in advance.

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If possible, select a "double wall" or "multi-layer" carton for your china and glassware packing boxes - these are the strongest and most resilient kinds for fragile items.

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It takes LOTS of boxes, and LOTS of packing materials. Try your local liquor store for moving boxes, those boxes are sturdy, and you can hardly get enough in them to make them too heavy---unless you're packing books! Note that the U.S. Postal Service does not accept shipments packed in beer, wine, or liquor boxes, so all labeling must be thoroughly blacked out or covered, or the box must be turned inside out if you plan to ship your items via USPS.

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Warnings

Anywhere that china can collide with china is a potential crack or chip.

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Even with the most careful packing job, breakage can occur. Inquire about insurance from the shipper and estimate the replacement value of the items. Keep very good records, including photographs, for your own assurance.

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Make sure dishes are clean before packing them. If they sit around in storage for a while, food particles can grow into mildew and mold, or can attract pests.

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Finials and handles break easily. Use plenty of padding around them. And turn cup handles towards the inside of the box.

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