Knowing how to pack your own fine china for your upcoming relocation is essential if you want to do it yourself. This way, you help ensure local movers get your collection to your new home safely and in one piece. Learn how to pack china the way professional residential moving services do in just four easy steps.

1. GATHER THE RIGHT SUPPLIES

When packing cherished items like china, having the right supplies is key. You should pack your collection with material that is gentle on the china, can be wrapped in layers and has a little bit of give to it. The material should also be bulky enough to fill up all the empty space in a box to provide enough cushioning. Avoid using newspapers, as most insurance companies do not consider this an acceptable wrapping material. 

Gather everything from our guide to packing materials: 

• Tissue paper
• Large Bubble Wrap, half an inch thick
• Small Bubble Wrap, 3/16th of an inch thick
• Packing peanuts
• Large and sturdy cardboard boxes
• Smaller cardboard boxes or double-walled dish boxes
• Scotch tape
• Clear packing tape
• Labels
• Markers

While you’ll likely have to buy anything you don’t have, you can source free boxes from grocery stores, restaurants or office supply stores. Just make sure you have enough of everything to pack your china safely and effectively. 

After you’ve gathered your supplies, find a large, uncluttered space for the following steps —  a dining table is ideal. If that’s not an option, a clear floor space will do. 

2. PREPARE YOUR CHINA

Prepare your china before you begin wrapping and packing. Thorough preparation helps protect these delicate items during the move and can also speed up the unpacking stage, making the process as stress-free as possible.

Here’s how to get your china ready:

• Inspect your collection: Place all your pieces of china on your designated working station and inspect each item closely. Ensure good lighting to help you spot any chips, cracks or other damage. 
• Decide what to do with damaged items: Ideally, you want all pieces to be in good condition, as a damaged piece might not withstand the bumps and shakes that come with traveling, especially during a long-distance move. Letting go of china can be challenging, especially when it involves wedding sets or those that were once featured on your grandmother’s holiday table. However, it helps to remember that moving is much easier when you have fewer things to pack and transport. 
• Give everything a deep clean: Once you know what you are keeping, wash your china with warm water and gentle dish soap. Dry each piece carefully. 
• Categorize your china: Sort your collection into groups by type, like bowls, cups and plates. Next, organize all pieces by size, from biggest to smallest. You can also create two primary categories — everyday and celebratory pieces. This extra step can help establish packing priorities. 
• Confirm with your movers: Trustworthy moving companies like Transtar prioritize the safety of their customers’ belongings. As a result, movers won’t take certain items, such as antiques or those of a high value. If your china could fit into one of these classifications, it’s best to check with your moving company. 

3. WRAP EACH PIECE INDIVIDUALLY

How you wrap each piece is vital — your tissue paper, Bubble Wrap and packing tape usage can help ensure your china is as safe as possible during a cross-country or local move. If your beloved items are damaged in transit, your wrapping technique may also affect whether your moving company’s insurance will cover you. Most movers don’t cover damage caused by self-packing. 

While we advise using professional packing services for insurance reasons, you can follow our method should you choose to wrap and pack items yourself. Start by wrapping each piece in a few layers of tissue paper, then affix it with a little bit of tape. Here are some helpful tips on the art of wrapping items based on their type: 

• Plates: Place each plate face-down in the middle of your tissue paper, fold the edges inwards and secure them in the center of the plate with some tape.

• Drinkware: Lay crystal stemware, vases and glasses individually in one corner of your tissue paper sheet. Then, roll the piece of china lengthwise down the paper. Stuff the excess paper on top into the item’s opening and gently twist the paper’s end around the base, being extra cautious if there is a stem. 
• Bowls and cups: Place every cup and bowl face-up in the center of your tissue paper, fold the edges into the center of the item and secure them with tape. Take another sheet of paper, crumple it into a ball and place it into the opening for an extra layer of padding. 

Next, go over the tissue paper with a layer of small Bubble Wrap and tape it. Follow this with the larger Bubble Wrap, taping that shut as well. Repeat this process with each item. 

4. PACK YOUR CHINA INTO BOXES

While the correct wrapping is key, the biggest mistake people make when packing fragile items isn’t failing to wrap individual pieces. It’s failing to add enough padding to prevent movement. Shifting and moving within the box causes the most damage, so double-boxing and filling both boxes with enough packing material is essential.

The goal is to safeguard each piece and provide enough padding on all sides to add extra protection and prevent shifting while boxes are being moved around. Here are our packing and storage techniques to ensure adequate padding: 

• Start with small boxes: To “double-box” fine china, line the bottom of the box with Bubble Wrap. Pack similar items together, stacking plates and bowls face-up with a layer of Bubble Wrap between each to prevent rubbing. For drinkware, place each glass on its side and use Bubble Wrap to separate them. You can also purchase dish-wrapping boxes that include thick cardboard dividers and partitions.
• Fill the gaps: Fill any empty space around items with tissue paper or packing peanuts.
• Seal with tape: Seal all small boxes with good-quality packing tape, helping everything stay put. 
• Place into larger boxes:  Fill the bottom of your larger boxes with at least 3 inches of packing peanuts. Next, place a smaller box inside and ensure at least 3 inches of space on all sides, including the top. Fill all empty spaces with packing peanuts so the interior box is well padded and cannot move around, then close the outer box and tape well.
• Label every box: A lack of a labeling system is another common mistake. Using labels and a marker, label your boxes with their contents and specific care instructions, like “Handle with Care” or “Fragile.” 

CHOOSE TRANSTAR FOR RELOCATION SERVICES IN SOUTH JERSEY

By following our methods, anyone can safely pack their own fine china for a move. Remember, double-boxing, providing enough padding and reducing movement within the box are the best ways to prevent breakage. Once you’re packed, Transtar Moving Systems can help transport everything to your new home with our professional moving services. 

If packing china seems too difficult, it can always be done through our packing services. We know how to pack fine china for storage and moving, giving you the peace of mind that your valuables will safely reach their destination.

If you need assistance with packing, storage and moving, get started by requesting an online quote today!