Safe post for china

[jean2579]

I haven't sold any porcelain for quite a long time and now have one piece consisting of a soup bowl and saucer sold.  What is the safest way of packing it to ensure that it arrives in top condition.

[davewil1964]

Expensively.

China to China? Seems a bit like coal to Newcastle.

From what has been said on the boards -

Pack with something like scrunched up newspaper inside.

LOOSELY wrap with bubblewrap. Bubblewrqap can contract when heated, so you need to allow for that.

Put in a box and pack the gaps with newspaper or packing peanuts.

Put in another box and do the same as the first one.

DO NOT put anything anywhere that implies the contents are fragile.

Be aware that Australia Post expect any parcel to be able to withstand having 22kg dropped on it from waist height.

[lyndal1838 · Accepted solution]

Jean, don't use newspaper..it is heavy, dirty and does not absorb jolts as well as bubblewrap.

Wrap the 2 items in tissue paper, stuff the bowl with more tissue or bubblewrap, but not too tight if you use bubblewrap.  Wrap each piece in bubblewrap (again, fairly loosely as Dave says).

Put into a box with packing peanuts or bubblewrap as packing and then a second box with packing between the two boxes.

I have found from experience as both a receiver and a sender of china for many years that the second box can be a bit of overkill, so if the inner box is sufficiently strong and big enough to have plenty of packing then you can probably get away with the single box.

[jean2579]

Thank you both. I have never sold porcelain or china before, but my OH issued an edict either some of my collection goes or he does!  Since I have had him for close to 50 years he won. Still a close call though.

[putney32]

jean one of the most important things is dont wrap 2 pieces together. even say a sugar bowl and lid.  take lid off, wrap it, wrap bowl separately.

same with 2 saucers, or 2 small plates.   wrap each separately. 2 saucers in one bubble wrap can 'knock' together in the mail and break or chip each other.

[5kazam]

If you are going to be selling off a lot of your collection, it could be worth investing in a paper shredder (less than $30 at Aust Post). Use the shredded paper to pack between the inner and outer box.

I agree with Putney - do NOT put pieces together.  Wrap each piece individually.  I make small cardboard boxes for each lid, saucer, bowl, etc.  Yes it is time consuming, but everything gets to where it has to intact.

[jean2579]

Thank you all for your great advice. I followed your packing instructions and have just received feedback from the buyer saying how extremely well the item was packed.  I would never have known how to do it without your help.

[lyndal1838]

I am glad it all worked out Jean.

I hope the rest of your sales goes as smoothly.

[haolove13]

Glad to hear some good news.

By the way how much are you selling the OH for LOL!!!!!

How would you pack him for free postage????

[jean2579]

Definitely. A keeper. I could not bear having to train a new one.