The Safest Way to Ship Dinnerware

Flat Dishes

• 1

  Wrap each flat dish in two layers of paper. This will prevent dishes from rubbing together. Wrap delicate items, such as fine china, in bubble wrap.

• 2

  Place a foam cushion or towel in the bottom of a dish pack.

• 3

  Place large, flat dishes, such as plates and platters, on their edges in the box. If your plate collection does not fill this layer, align your plates evenly on the sides of the box, leaving a gap in the middle.

• 4

  Fill in the gaps between the dishes with packing peanuts or crumpled paper. This will prevent dishes from shifting around during the moving process.

• 5

  Place cardboard dividers on top of the first row to create a level base for the next tier of dishes. Repeat the process to secure smaller plates on the second tier.

Bowls

• 6

  Wrap bowls individually. Double wrap fragile items, such as cream pitchers and sugar bowl lids.

• 7

  Set cushioning in a second dish pack.

• 8

  Stack deeper bowls upside down along the cushion. Place smaller bowls inside these bowls if possible.

• 9

  Place remaining shallow bowls on edge.

• 10

  Stand sugar bowls and cream pitchers upright in the box.

• 11

  Fill empty gaps with packing peanuts.

Cups

• 12

  Wrap cups individually in paper. Apply extra padding to the handles that may be prone to breaking.

• 13

  Set a foam cushion in the bottom of a new box.

• 14

  Pack cups upside down in mini-cells, which will hold the items in place.

• 15

  Place a cardboard divider on the first set of mini-cells. Repeat the process to pack a second layer of cups.

Silverware

• 16

  Wrap silverware in categorized bundles with all pieces facing the same direction. This will help you avoid injury when dealing with bundles of knives or forks.

• 17

  Place bundles flat in a box.

• 18

  Fill in gaps with crushed paper to prevent silverware from rattling as you move the box.