Tips for shipping fragile items domestically and internationally

Handling fragile items is probably one of the most challenging tasks that you will encounter during a move. Unfortunately, every relocation involves breakable items that require some special attention. Of course, the most important part is the packaging. The techniques and materials that you will use will make the final difference in the end. Logically, the best way to handle this is to let an international moving expert handle this for you. Still, this doesn’t mean that you cannot do it on your own. In the following article, we will take a look at the best ways to handle shipping fragile items domestically and internationally.

Make a plan that will help you to do this more easily

Preparation is the most important part when shipping fragile items domestically and internationally. Of course, your first task is to make a good plan. At what point you will tackle this task? Will you do it on your own or you plan to hire professional packing and crating service? How much time do you think you will need? And more. A good idea is to write all your ideas on paper and make a checklist with all the tasks that you need to do before you leave your old home. This will make things much easier and help you to complete all your tasks properly and on time.

Get rid of the unnecessary items first

Next, you need to go through your items and see whether you have some things that you do not need anymore. There is no point in packing and moving them if you will just get rid of them afterward. Also, since the cost of your move primarily depends on the weight of your moving inventory it would be good to remove them before your movers arrive. The thing that you have to think about in this case is how to get rid of the excess items. And this depends on many factors. But primarily on the number of items you have gathered, their condition, and usable value. Nevertheless, your solutions are to organize a yard sale, donate, or simply throw them away in the recycling bin.

Count your items so you can calculate the number of required boxes and wraps

Once you get rid of the junk you need to determine the number of fragile items you need to handle. Of course, in order to be able to precisely determine the number of packing materials to prepare. As we already mentioned, unlike international car transportation, for example, the success of shipping fragile items domestically and internationally mostly depends on the packing techniques and materials you apply. Therefore your task is to carefully look at your inventory, count every item, and determine how many boxes and wraps to prepare. Unfortunately, this is not so easy to do. Especially if you do not have enough experience with this. Therefore, it would be smart to contact your movers and see whether they can give you an estimate regarding the amount and type of packaging you should use.

Packing materials you need to prepare when shipping fragile items domestically and internationally

When it comes to the type of packing materials you will need, it all depends on the size, shape, and your items’ structure. However, if you are packing standard household items you will most likely have to deal with plates, glasses, jars, vases, and maybe some figurines and similar items.  Here are the packing materials to prepare:

• Cardboard boxes of different sizes and shapes
• Plastic containers
• Corrugated carton sheets
• Bubble wrap in sheets or a roll
• Packing paper or newspapers
• Towels or other types of soft cloths
• Packing tape
• Markers and labels

Give your best regardless of the distance your fragile items need to cross

Now comes the most important part of this process. You need to make sure that your items will survive the trip. Of course, the longer the move the more stress your items will have to endure. It is not the same when moving across the street and moving to New Zealand from US, for example. Still, regardless of the distance, you should always try to give your best and provide your items with proper protection like when you are moving overseas.

Packing fragile items for domestic and international shipping

When it comes to standard items like glasses and plates, you can always find boxes that are specially designed to hold such items. Therefore you can find dish boxes for plates, stemmed glasses, etc. If you cannot find such boxes in your area, you should try to imitate their functionality as much as you can. This means that you should try to divide the box into separate cells.

First, place a towel or other kind of soft material on the bottom of the box. When packing, make sure to wrap each piece individually in packing paper or newspapers and ensure that two pieces cannot touch each other by separating them with a carton or a bubble wrap sheet. Once you load the box, fill all the voids with rolls of bubble wrap or crumpled packing paper so your items cannot move while they are in transport. Secure the bottom of the box additionally with packing tape. Finally, make sure that you label your boxes properly so the movers know what boxes need special attention.

Hiring movers is better but you can also do it by yourself

As you can see shipping fragile items domestically and internationally requires proper attention. Of course, the best and easiest way to handle this is to hire professionals who have enough experience and knowledge with handling breakable items. Still, if you follow our guide, you can do it on your own as well.