Video:How to Ship and Pack Fragile Items

Transcript:How to Ship and Pack Fragile Items

Hi I'm Debbie Anderson for About.com.

Properly Packing Fragile Items

There's nothing worse than sending someone the perfect fragile present, only to hear that it was shattered during shipping upon arrival. So today, I'm going to show you how to properly pack fragile items, such as a glass vase, for shipping so that it doesn't arrive on your intended recipient's door step in a million shattered little pieces.

To get started, you will need:

• foam packing peanuts
• bubble wrap
• a pair of scissors
• a cardboard box
• a permanent ink marker
• and a roll of packaging tape

Tips for How to Ship and Pack Fragile Items

First, before getting started, you will want to pick out the correct size cardboard box for your item, so that there is at least a good 1-2 inches of space on all sides of the box between the item you are shipping and the interior edges of the cardboard box.

Once you have the correct size box picked out, pour 1-2 inches of foam packing peanuts in the bottom of the box.

Next, for fragile items that have an open space inside of them, such as a glass vase, place a small amount of bubble wrap inside the vase opening to cushion the glass from the interior opening.

Then, wrap a large amount of bubble wrap around all of the outside surfaces of the fragile item. Once you can no longer feel the item through the bubble wrap, you have wrapped enough bubble wrap around the item to protect it.

Next, secure the bubble wrap around the item with a large piece of packaging tape so that the bubble wrap doesn't become loose around the fragile item while the package is in transit.

Once the item is wrapped, carefully place the item in the center of the box so that there is at least 1-2 inches of clearance on all four sides and the top and bottom of the item when it is inside the box.

Next, pour foam packaging peanuts around all sides of the fragile item so that there are plenty of peanuts protecting the item from all four sides of the box, as well as the top and bottom surfaces of the cardboard box.

Once the box is filled with peanuts, close the cardboard flaps on the top of the box and secure the flaps with long strips of packaging tape to hold the flaps in place.

Before Shipping the Fragile Items

Next, GENTLY shake the box a little to see if the item you are shipping is moving around inside the box. If you don't hear any peanuts or the fragile item moving around inside the box, then your fragile item is ready to ship!

Finally, when shipping fragile items, use a permanent ink marker to write the word “Fragile” on all of the outside surfaces of the box so that the shipping courier knows to be extra cautious when carrying your fragile packaged item!

With a little extra care when wrapping fragile items for shipment, your fragile items are sure to make it to their destinations still looking beautiful and in once piece!

Thank you for watching! To learn more, please visit us on the web at About.com!