We Pack Ceramics Like Pros — Scenarios & Checklist

Why we treat ceramic packing like a professional mission

A single poorly packed ceramic can cost hundreds — and a crate of antiques can be ruined in one jolt. We refuse to gamble with fragile cargo.

Fragile ceramics demand more than a roll of bubble wrap and hope. In this article we explain our approach to packing ceramics for international shipping so pieces arrive intact and customs-clear. We outline common transit risks, the protective materials and tools we rely on, scenario-based methods for plates, bowls, vases, figurines and sets, and the documentation and insurance steps that reduce delays and claims.

Our goal is a repeatable process and checklist so we can pack confidently, whether sending a single mug or crate of valuable antique vases.

How to Pack Pottery for Safe Shipping

We start every job by evaluating the piece and the route it will travel — that assessment determines everything from material choices to whether we crate or double-box. Below are the specific risks and factors we check before we touch glue or foam.

Common damage modes we plan for

We look for five failure types and choose protections accordingly:

A quick tip: for vibration-prone routes we prefer closed-cell foam (e.g., Ethafoam) over standard bubble wrap.

How air, sea and road change our choices

Check carrier guides — FedEx, UPS and major freight companies publish size/weight/packaging rules that can force a different box or crate design.

Item-specific factors we assess

We run a short checklist before choosing materials:

How transit time, handling frequency and customs shape packaging

These assessments let us pick the exact materials and process that minimize claims and keep fragile ceramics intact in real-world shipments.

We rely on the right materials more than miracles. Choosing the correct cushion, structure, and hardware is about matching physics to fragility — and about using tools that make repeatable, high-quality packing fast.

Cushioning: what we pick and why

Bubble wrap comes in small (3/16″), medium (5/16″) and large (1/2″) bubbles. Small bubbles protect delicate surfaces and fill gaps; large bubbles absorb big impacts and are lighter per volume. For vibration damping we prefer closed-cell polyethylene (Plastazote/Ethafoam); for pliable, high-damping layers we use cross-linked polyurethane foam. Molded foam inserts (CNC-cut or vacuum-formed PE trays) give repeatable protection for sets and high-value items — in one museum project they cut claims by ~60% versus loose wrap.

Loose-fill vs paper:

When a hollow vase is especially vulnerable we use foam-in-place (Instapak) to create a custom shell; for lighter, eco options we use honeycomb wrap for edge protection.

Structural supports: boxes and board

Corrugated choices matter: flute type and wall count change crush resistance and cushioning. Quick rules:

Check ECT (Edge Crush Test) and burst strength when specifying boxes. For reusable internal bracing we use 200–300 lb-rated corrugated pads and laminated honeycomb board.

Specialty elements and a quick visual aid

Corner protectors, edge guards (cardboard or plastic), and slip sheets are inexpensive damage preventers. Shock/tilt indicators and tamper tape add accountability for valuable shipments.

Adhesives, strapping, desiccants

We standardize on:

Strapping: PET (polyester) for high-tension loads; polypropylene for economy. Always add desiccant packets and a vapor-barrier bag for sea freight or antiques.

Tools and sustainability trade-offs

Tools we recommend:

Sustainability: we favor recycled kraft, molded pulp, and reusable foam inserts for repeat returns. We avoid EPS loose-fill except when no recyclable alternative can meet protection needs — then we insist on returnable inserts.

Next, we’ll put these materials into action with step-by-step packing methods for plates, bowls, vases, figurines and sets.

We walk through repeatable, on-the-floor procedures we use every day. Short, actionable steps for each common scenario — the kind that cut claims and keep customers smiling.

Plates and shallow items

How we handle single plates or stacks:

1. Clean, then wrap each plate face-to-face with interleaving acid-free tissue or bubble wrap (small 3/16″ bubbles for thin china).
2. For single plates: wrap fully with two layers (one cushioning, one outer Kraft) and use a cardboard round or foam pad on both faces.
3. For stacks: use corrugated dividers between plates; assemble as a single-stack or nested stack depending on thickness.
4. Choose a snug double-wall box allowing 2–3″ of protective cushion around the stack; place stack vertically for large plates to reduce bending stress.
5. Fill voids with crumpled kraft and seal with water-activated tape.

Supplies we reach for:

A quick field note: we once moved a set of 24 antique dessert plates vertically with dividers and had zero damage over a cross-country truckload.

Bowls, cups and stemware

Bowls and cups need internal and outer cushioning:

Tip: for busy runs we use reusable foam cup trays (CNC-cut) — they speed packing and standardize protection.

Vases and figurines

Odd shapes demand bespoke supports:

1. Create a base cradle: dense foam or layered corrugated pads shaped to the item’s contours.
2. Use foam blocks or Instapak (foam-in-place) for necks, handles and protrusions; secure larger pieces to the box base with hot-glue dots or strapping to prevent sliding.
3. Wrap exterior with cross-linked foam or multiple layers of bubble, then add corner guards.
4. Choose a double- or triple-wall box depending on weight and use ample void-fill so the item never contacts the box walls.

We once packed a porcelain swan by building a foam saddle and strapping it to the base — it arrived intact after air freight turbulence.

Sets and nested pieces

Decide divider vs custom insert:

Final verification (our quick checklist before sealing):

Next we’ll show how to tailor these methods to parcel, pallet and crate scenarios.

Different shipment modes demand different strategies. Below we break down our go-to approach for single-item couriers, palletized truckloads, and museum-grade crating — with clear “do this” steps you can use today.

Small parcel (couriers and UPS/FedEx)

For single items or small sets we expect rough handling and conveyor impacts. Our rules of thumb:

Palletized shipments (multiple items, warehouse handling)

When items travel as part of a pallet load we focus on unitizing and load stability:

Custom crating (high-value, museum-grade)

For irreplaceable or high-value ceramics we build to withstand stacking, lifting and long hauls:

Next we’ll move into labels, documentation, insurance thresholds and the final pre-shipment checklist we rely on to close the loop.

We close the practical guidance with the administrative steps that actually reduce claims, clearance delays, and hand-off errors. Below are the conventions and tools we rely on so paperwork and evidence match the care we put into packing.

Labeling — clear, standardized, and durable

We use international handling symbols (orientation arrows, umbrella for moisture, etc.) and clear text instructions. Key tips:

Photo documentation — your best claim prevention

Photos and short video before shipment are evidence that carriers and customs will ask for. We capture:

Customs paperwork — what to include and common pitfalls

A complete commercial invoice is non-negotiable:

Insurance and claims — how we choose declared value

We insure to full replacement cost (item + shipping + duties). Notes:

Our final pre-shipment checklist

With paperwork and evidence locked in, we’re ready to move to the final wrap-up and packing philosophy in the Conclusion.

Pack once, ship confidently

When we combine risk assessment, the right materials, scenario-specific methods, and thorough documentation, we dramatically cut damage and costly claims. Use our step-by-step packing methods and checklist to standardize your process, adapt to each shipment’s size and value, and make decisions based on predictable outcomes rather than guesswork. Consistency turns fragile shipments into routine ones.

Maintain these habits—proper padding, secure inner packaging, correct external protection, clear labeling, and accurate paperwork—and fragile ceramics arrive as intended. Make the checklist part of every job. If we do, claims and headaches become rare exceptions rather than the norm. Start now: pack clearly, document fully, and ship with confidence. Contact us or adopt these standards in your operation to protect value and reputation today.