How to package fragile items for courier transport
Wrap each item individually, fix it so it cannot move, surround it with at least 5 cm of cushioning inside a rigid box, and use a second box for anything very delicate. Then label it clearly and tell the courier what is inside.
The three rules of fragile packing
Fragile items survive transport when three things are true: the item cannot move, it is cushioned on every side, and the outer box is strong enough not to crush. That means wrapping each piece individually, packing it tightly in a rigid box with at least 5 cm of cushioning all round, and using a second, larger box around the first for anything very delicate. Label the box clearly, keep it the right way up and tell the courier what is inside.
Damage in transit rarely comes from one dramatic event. It comes from vibration over hours of motorway driving, items shifting under braking, and boxes being set down a little too firmly. Good packing deals with all three.
Choose the right materials
Not all void fill behaves the same way. Pick the material for the job rather than using whatever is in the stockroom.
| Material | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Double-wall corrugated box | Outer packaging for anything over about 10 kg or anything breakable | Reused boxes lose strength; check for soft corners and old damage |
| Bubble wrap | Wrapping individual items, especially glass and ceramics | Can mark delicate surfaces such as paint or polished wood if wrapped directly against them |
| Polyethylene or polyurethane foam | Electronics, instruments, heavy items that need firm support | Too-soft foam lets heavy items sink and touch the box wall |
| Corrugated inserts and cell dividers | Bottles, glasses and sets of similar items | Each cell must fit snugly; loose cells defeat the purpose |
| Air pillows | Filling gaps around already-wrapped items | They burst under sharp corners and offer little protection on their own |
| Crumpled kraft paper | Filling gaps and stuffing hollow items | Compresses over time; use plenty and pack it firmly |
| Loose fill (peanuts) | Light items in a small box | Heavy items migrate through it to the bottom or side of the box |
| Corner and edge protectors | Frames, mirrors, panels and flat-pack | Need taping in place so they do not slip off |
Newspaper is better than nothing but leaves ink on surfaces and compresses quickly. Use clean paper or tissue next to anything that could mark.
The box-in-box method
For anything genuinely delicate, such as glassware, a ceramic piece or a laboratory instrument, packing one box inside another is the most reliable method.
- Wrap the item
Wrap it in at least two layers of bubble wrap or foam, taped so it stays in place. Wrap protruding parts, such as handles and spouts, separately first.
- Pack the inner box
Place the item in a box that leaves a small gap on every side, and fill those gaps so the item cannot move.
- Seal the inner box
Tape all seams and give it a gentle shake. Nothing should move or rattle.
- Choose an outer box
Pick one at least 5 cm larger than the inner box on every side, including top and bottom.
- Cushion the gap
Put a layer of cushioning in the bottom, place the inner box centrally, fill all four sides firmly, then add a top layer.
- Seal and test
Tape the centre seam and both edge seams top and bottom. Tilt the box in each direction; you should feel no movement inside.
The outer box takes the knocks, the gap absorbs the shock, and the inner box keeps the item held. It costs a little more in materials and is far cheaper than a claim.
Packing methods by item
Glass and glassware
Wrap each piece on its own, never two together. Stuff the inside of glasses, jugs and vases with paper so the walls are supported from within. Wrap stems of wine glasses separately before wrapping the whole glass. Bottles and sets of glasses travel best in boxes with cell dividers, packed upright, with a layer of cushioning above and below.
Ceramics, china and pottery
Treat handles, spouts and lids as separate items: wrap them first, then wrap the whole piece. Plates and saucers should stand on edge in the box, like files in a drawer, rather than lying flat in a stack, because flat stacks crack under vertical shocks. Put heavy pieces at the bottom and lighter ones on top, with a layer of cushioning between each layer.
Electronics and IT equipment
Use the original packaging if you still have it. If not, wrap the item in an anti-static bag, then in foam or bubble wrap, and box-in-box it.
- Shut computers down fully rather than leaving them in sleep mode.
- Back up data before sending anything containing a drive.
- Remove printer toner and ink cartridges and bag them separately; lock print heads or transport screws where the manual says to.
- Protect monitor and laptop screens with a rigid sheet of card, and keep monitors upright.
- Bag and label cables and power supplies so they do not scratch the equipment.
- Do not send a device with a swollen or damaged battery. That falls under dangerous goods rules, which we do not carry.
For office moves, server swaps and repair returns, our IT equipment courier page covers how those jobs are planned.
Framed artwork and canvases
Never put bubble wrap directly against a painted surface: it can leave an imprint and trap moisture. Cover the face first with glassine or acid-free tissue, then wrap. On glazed frames, apply a grid of low-tack masking tape or glazing film across the glass so that if it cracks, the shards are held rather than cutting into the artwork. Fit corner protectors, sandwich the piece between two sheets of rigid board slightly larger than the frame, and mark which side is the face.
For canvases, avoid anything pressing on the back of the canvas, which can leave a dent visible from the front. Valuable or irreplaceable pieces suit our fragile and high-value courier service, where the vehicle and handling are planned around the item.
Mirrors and glass panels
Mirrors and sheet glass should travel on their edge, never flat, because a flat panel flexes and cracks under its own weight on a bumpy road. Fit cardboard corners, wrap in two layers of bubble wrap, then protect both faces with hardboard or heavy corrugated sheet. Mark the package "glass" and with arrows showing which edge goes down. In a van, the driver will stand it upright against the side wall and strap it.
Label it so handlers know
Labels do not protect anything by themselves, but they tell everyone who handles the box what it needs.
- Use the internationally recognised symbols: a broken wine glass for fragile, two upward arrows for this way up, an umbrella for keep dry.
- Put orientation arrows on at least two opposite sides, not just the top.
- Add "do not stack" if the box cannot take weight on top.
- Mark which piece is which on multi-piece consignments, such as 1 of 4.
- Keep labels away from seams, where they tear when the box is opened.
When you book, describe the contents rather than just saying "fragile". A driver handles a box of wine glasses differently from a box of ceramic tiles, and knowing what is inside helps them place it correctly in the van.
What courier terms usually say about inadequate packaging
Almost every UK carrier's terms put responsibility for packing on the sender. The typical wording requires goods to be packed adequately for carriage, and excludes liability for loss or damage caused by insufficient or improper packing. Goods in transit insurers take the same view, so a claim for a broken item in a thin box with no cushioning is likely to be refused.
In practice, that means:
- A driver may decline to load goods that are obviously inadequately packed, or note the packing on the collection record.
- If damage happens, the first question asked will be how the item was packed.
- Photos of the packing, taken before sealing and at handover, are your best evidence that it was done properly.
Our terms and conditions set out how our cover works, including limits and exclusions. Tell us the value when booking and we will confirm the cover, or arrange additional cover for high-value goods.
Why good packing still matters in a dedicated van
Good packing still matters because a dedicated van removes repeated handling but not vibration, braking forces or the moment a box is lifted down at the delivery end. There are no conveyors, chutes or sorting cages, and the same driver loads and unloads, but the goods still have to survive the road.
That difference in handling is a theme in our comparison of dedicated couriers and parcel networks. Even so, pack as if the van will brake hard once on the way, because at some point it probably will.
Final check before the courier arrives
Fragile packing check
- Each item wrapped individually, with protruding parts wrapped first
- No movement or rattling when the box is tilted
- At least 5 cm of cushioning on every side, including top and bottom
- Rigid outer box, with all seams taped
- Fragile and orientation labels on several sides
- Photos taken of the packing and the sealed boxes
- Contents and value described at booking
Once packed, the rest of the handover routine, from labelling to paperwork and a named contact, is set out in our guide to preparing goods for an urgent collection.
FAQ
Common questions
Is a fragile sticker enough to protect an item?
No. A fragile label tells handlers to take care, and it helps, but it does nothing if the item can move inside the box or the box is too weak to take a knock. Treat the label as a message, not as protection. The packing itself has to be good enough that the item survives a firm bump or a short drop without relying on anyone's goodwill.
Should I keep the original manufacturer's packaging?
Yes, for electronics, instruments and equipment it is usually the best option. The moulded foam inserts are designed for that exact item and hold it at the right points. If you use the original box, consider putting it inside a slightly larger outer carton with fill around it, because retail packaging is often printed to show the contents and is not always strong enough on its own.
Can a fragile item travel unboxed in a dedicated van?
Some items can, such as furniture or large equipment, protected with blankets and secured with straps. It depends on the item and the route, so describe it when you book and we will confirm how it will be carried. Cover limits and exclusions are set out in our terms, and unwrapped items are more exposed to scuffs, so photograph their condition at collection.
What should I do if a fragile item arrives damaged?
Write a short description of the damage on the proof of delivery if you are the recipient and can see it at the door. Keep all the packaging, photograph the box and the item before moving anything, and report it to the courier straight away, because claim periods are often short. Our guide to proof of delivery explains why the delivery record matters.