Sending something fragile? Start here

Fragile does not have to mean risky. Most breakages come from the same three things: items touching each other, items touching the box, and a box that gives way.

Keep items apart

Wrap every piece on its own, then make sure no two pieces touch. Plates go on their edge, never flat.

Keep items off the walls

Leave a gap of a few centimetres on every side and fill it with paper or air pillows. The item should sit in the middle, cushioned all round.

Use the right box

• A new, rigid box — old boxes lose their strength.
• For very delicate items, a box inside a box.
• Mark it fragile, but pack as if nobody will read the label.

Pack it so it could be dropped from waist height. Then it is ready.