How to correctly package glass

Posted 3rd September, 2018

Glass is possibly the most difficult material to ship, due to it being so fragile.

It is important for everyone to know how to package glass correctly. Even if you aren’t going to ship any, it is useful to know how to for house moves.

Packaging your glass items incorrectly will most likely result in breakage, even if that is a small chip or crack.

The good news is, there are a few simple steps you can follow which will ensure your glass items are kept in one piece throughout shipping.

Choose a box

A good, sturdy cardboard box is the most important part of packaging glass. We would recommend using a new box, however, you can use an old one if it is reinforced with parcel tape. Make sure that your box has plenty of room around the item itself to allow for packaging materials. For heavier glass objects, a double-walled corrugated cardboard box adds extra support.

Packaging it

Once you’ve chosen your box, you need to think about what will be best to package the glass with. It is important to make sure it is protected from any impact including being dropped or squashed. The packaging materials that we would suggest are bubble wrap, kraft paper and polystyrene wedges for items like mirrors as this protects the corners. You should avoid using newspaper as this isn’t thick enough to protect the glass. We also don’t recommend using airbags, as the sharp edges of glass can puncture them.

You do not want to overfill your box, as it can burst open during shipping. However, it should be filled up enough for the glass object to be held in place. Gently shake the box, if you can hear it, it is not protected enough. Your parcel should be silent when it is moved.

Seal the box

This may seem a simple step, but we see many parcels and packages that aren’t sealed correctly. Seal the box using either pressure sensitive tape, reinforced filament tape or vinyl tape. The tape should be at least 5cm wide to prevent the box from opening. Place a strip of tape along the edges of the flaps, and then create an ‘H’ shape using 2 further strips of tape. This makes sure the edges are secure.

It is also advisable that you add a ‘fragile’ label on all sides of your parcel. This makes sure the delivery drivers are aware that extra care should be taken when handling your parcel.

Station Couriers are experts in sending a range of different types of freight, including breakable glass items. We are able to advise you further on the best way to package your specific item, ready for shipping. Call us on 01686 621 190 for more information.