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PACKING AND SHIPPING CUT GLASS
By Vickie Matthews
Shipping cut glass is not as difficult as you might think; by always following a few simple rules, you can ship your best pieces with peace of mind. I have listed below the most important guidelines to follow.
Use new boxes, as they lose one-half of their strength after the first shipment.
Glass must be packed using two boxes, or as we say, a box within a box. Choose the inner box to allow for at least 2" of packing around the glass. The most usable sizes of boxes are a 12" x 12" inner and a 16" x 16" outer box. Pack each individual piece of glass in enough wrapping so you cannot feel any of the hard edges of the glass. Bubble wrap is not suitable for use in wrapping glass. If you wish to experiment, wrap a piece of glass in it and feel in between the bubbles; you will feel the glass, especially in the teeth area. If you can feel the glass item, it is not wrapped well enough. The best wrapping material is enough sheets of newspaper to make handles and edges impossible to feel.
After you have wrapped the glass correctly, place it in the inner box with at least 2" of crumpled newspaper between the glass and the inner box and stuff the box full so that no movement can take place. Place the sealed inner box in an outer box that allows at least 2" of packing between the inner and outer box. If you use peanuts or Styrofoam pieces for this exterior space, pack it down firmly so it can’t "settle" down.
If you use a packing service, don’t assume they know what they are doing; give them these instructions, or, best of all, pack the glass yourself. Some services use solid or spray in foam packing, which is excellent for single items, but not when several items are shipped in the same box.
If the glass to be sent has one or more parts, take it apart and send each large piece in separate boxes. When shipping decanters, be sure to pack stoppers separately from the decanter. If a piece is multi-parted, insure each package for the value of the entire piece, because if one part is lost or damaged, the other pieces have little or no value. Insure only for the amount you have in the piece, as shippers will need to see a receipt for the value or a recent appraisal. Check with the shipper on their insurance some do not insure against breakage just lost in transit, also check with your Home Owners Policy and see if you are covered under it.
If you want to ship more than one piece in the inner box, the best technique is to have each piece in its own box with enough cushioning inside to allow no movement. Do not use peanuts in the inner box, as it allows heavy cut glass too much movement.
Close the box securely with 2" packing tape and place a label with the addresses on the inner box as well as the outer box; don’t forget to include a letter if one is required. Be sure to label the top of the outer box for ease of opening. Place FRAGILE stickers on the top and sides, and you are ready to ship.
A word of caution; if you are sealing your box and say to yourself, "I hope this makes the trip," don’t send it, repack it! You must feel that the glass would survive a 36" drop on to a hard surface. If you are shipping to or from a extra cold or hot location tell the receiver to put it inside and let the box come to temperature for several hours before opening as temperature is very important to Cut Glass.
Now about shippers, United States Post Office has several advantages they will pick up your shipment if you wish and they have many different speeds of delivery available. We use them for very expensive items as they offer registered mail which is great; these packages are treated very carefully and are locked up and signed for at each stop along the way, it requires a little more trouble in the preparation but well worth it. All seams have to be taped over with paper tape so no one can gain access to the inside of the box, for this new boxes are the best. Someone has to sign for these and if no one is home they would have to pick up their package at the nearest Post Office. They also provide tracking, signature confirmation, delivery confirmation and many more safety features.
United Parcel has the advantage of direct home delivery even in the rural and foreign areas and they offer many different speeds and methods of shipping. They will also pick up your shipment and they also have packing stores that are trained in packing but again take along your instructions for the best way to pack your special glass.
Federal Express. We do not use them very much except when we need something to arrive over night as their air service cannot be beat. We also find their insurance is not a true insurance but a declared value only and you would need to check with your local agent to get the details on this. The tracking is first rate with them and again delivery is to the door even in rural areas and foreign countries.
Just follow these few rules and you can ship your best pieces with piece of mind.
