It is always difficult to pack your collectibles, no matter how far you’re shipping them. There are so many precautions you have to take in order to do it properly. You don’t want to end up with some of your precious collectibles ruined or broken. You have to be careful with packing and shipping your collectibles, especially if you want to prepare for moving internationally. The good news is that we’ve come up with some clever ways to pack and ship your collectibles like a professional. In this article, you’ll find a complete guide on how to pack your belongings for shipping.

Start with cleaning before you ship your collectibles

Firstly, we recommend cleaning your collectibles before you pack them away. By maintaining them free of dust, you will avoid any possible damage. The dust holds moisture from the air, so it can cause much damages to your collectibles. That is why we recommend using a soft-bristled brush, a cotton swab or a microfiber cloth. Cleaning your collectibles is important because you don’t want to ship your items to an air-sea forwarder dirty.

Before you ship your collectibles, make the necessary preparation

Before you enter the challenge called shipping collectibles, it would be advisable to get acquainted with several tips. So, when packing and moving collectibles, you should use:

• Acid-free packing paper to keep the paint from transferring. We don’t suggest using the newspaper.
• All sorts of packing materials to secure your belongings from any damage.
• Cardboard boxes of high-quality. You don’t want the boxes to crush when they are stacked.

In addition, we recommend using bubble wrap to provide an extra layer of cushioning. You can choose large or small bubble wrap, depending on the size of your collectibles. The perfect combination is to use the bubble wrap after the packing paper with the bubbles against your collectibles.

The best guide on how to ship your collectibles

After you’ve prepared your collectibles in general for shipping, there are various ways to pack different types of collector’s items. The ultimate goal is to get them safely to the endpoint. But, bear in mind that there is a list of non-allowable items to pack.

So, read the steps below to learn how to pack different types of collector’s items.

Ceramics and glass

Many of us have some kind of ceramic bowl or a champagne glass that we want to keep forever. The problem is that this kind of collectibles is the hardest to pack and ship, due to their fragility. That’s why you need to take a few precautions.

Step one

Start by wrapping each item individually in packing paper. Do not apply any tape to your collectibles, as that could damage the paint.

Step two

Continue by wrapping items in bubble wrap. Pay special attention to the edges.

Step three

Place a layer of crushed packing paper at the bottom of a large box. After that, place your wrapped items in the moving box and keep them upright. Be careful that the weight of the box isn’t too heavy for lifting.

Step four

Use crushed packing paper and put a layer of it on top of the box. This will protect your collectibles.

How to pack currencies and coins

If you have to ship coins or currency, there are also ways to do it properly. Start by wrapping currencies in packing paper and place them in boxes. On the other hand, fill extra spaces with crumpled packing paper. Make sure nothing moves during transit. Also, watch out for the box weight. Keep the weight under 40 lbs. and make it easier on the movers.

How to pack antiques

In case you own several antiques, we advise you to keep them with you during the relocation. But, in case you own a collection, or you have to ship your collectibles alone, that’s a slightly different story. So, we would like to help you by sharing our guide on how to ship antiques safely.

How to pack documents, photographs or stamps

It is usual that these types of items are placed in an album or a folder. So, you should wrap those albums in packing paper and place them in a moving box. Before doing that, pad the box with crumpled packing paper. Use the rest of the crumpled packing paper to fill extra space in the box. When it comes to framed items, use a mirror box or a picture, or wrap it in a bubble wrap.

Extra tips for packing and shipping fragile collectibles

There is nothing worse than having to carry a heavy box up and down the stairs. So, try to have boxes as smaller as possible to make it easier on your movers. Smaller boxes are much more manageable and don’t have the awkward and bulky size and shape. Also, using cardboard dividers is recommended. Another great thing is that you can make cardboard dividers by yourself. All you need is a measuring tape, a hot glue gun and a good pair of scissors. And of course, a little bit of spare time.

Another advice is that many of your collectibles mustn’t be packed for a long time. The package by itself can make significant damage to your precious items. That’s why, from time to time, you have to let your collectibles breathe. The conclusion is that, besides packing, storing items is equally important.

We hope our guide will help you to ship your collectibles properly and safely. In the end, the most important thing is to keep your precious and unique belongings in good condition. You want to cherish them long after the shipping is over. We wish you all the luck in this adventurous project called shipping collectibles.