Shipping Glass and Glass Products

How to Ship Glass and Glass Products

Shipping glass successfully starts with the right prep work. The goal is to protect the item and prevent it from shifting in transit. Here’s what to know:

• Always use custom crates or reinforced boxes for shipping.
• Double-box smaller glass items and label them clearly.
• Add padding to absorb vibration and impact.
• Securely fasten crates to pallets to prevent tipping.

Each type of glass item may require its own strategy. For instance, a single pane of laminated glass will need more shock absorption than a box of stained-glass tiles.

Packaging Tips For Glass and Glass Products

Packing glassware can be a real challenge—it’s like walking a tightrope! One wrong move, and you might be left with a pile of broken pieces. However, with a little care and some simple steps, you can ensure that your fragile items arrive at their destination safe and sound. Just take your time, and you’ll be fine!

First things first: if any of your glass pieces contain liquid, slip it into a seal-top plastic bag. This isn’t optional. A leak inside your box is the nightmare carriers want to avoid, and you don’t want to be that shipper who causes it. Double-check the seal before wrapping anything.

Once your liquids are bagged, turn your attention to each glass item:

1. Lay down a base layer of wrapping paper.
2. Cradle the piece in at least two or three sheets. This gives you a soft cushion against knocks.
3. Roll the item up, then wrap it tightly in bubble wrap. Three full layers are the rule of thumb.
4. Secure everything with tape to prevent it from unspooling in transit.

Think of the paper as your foundation and the bubble wrap as your shock absorber. Together, they keep the glass from directly hitting the box walls.

Choose a sturdy corrugated box that’s larger than your wrapped items. You’ve got two good options here: custom foam inserts or simple corrugated dividers. Foam inserts absorb shocks best, but sturdy cardboard partitions work in a pinch, especially when shipping multiple pieces at once. Whatever you pick, leave about two inches of space between the glass and every box side. If you’re grouping multiple items, dividers, or individual compartments, stop them from bumping into each other.

Next comes the stuffing. Use packing peanuts, air pillows, or crumpled kraft paper to fill gaps. Here’s a quick guide:

• Add at least 5 cm of padding on the bottom of the box.

• Place your wrapped items on top.

• Then sprinkle about 10–15 percent of the box’s remaining volume with your chosen filler.

This layering helps absorb shocks and prevents shifting when the box gets jostled.

Before sealing, apply a “Fragile” sticker to the first box and secure the flaps shut with high-quality shipping tape. Even though this box is being placed inside another, carriers may sometimes damage the inner package if it’s not marked correctly.

For your outer box, aim for about six inches of clearance on all sides around the first box. Fill that gap with more peanuts, pillows, or paper so the inner box can’t slide. A neat trick is to tape the inside seams of both boxes. It reinforces the corners and keeps everything in place snugly. Finally, label the outer box “Fragile” or “Handle With Care” so that everyone along the way treats it with care.

You’ve done the hard work. Now sit back and breathe easy—you’ve packed like a pro.