shipping antiques

Shipping Antiques the Right Way

December 4, 2018 by shipsafe

Your extended family in France just asked for a family heirloom that they want to display in a wedding. Doesn’t sound that difficult, right? All you need to do is wrap it up and send it to a reliable shipping company. Wrong! Sitting here in the US, you might think that it’s easy but there a lot of things you need to consider before shipping. Mainly – How the packaging should be done.

The heirloom in question, shall we say is a huge glitter globe, one that many have never seen before. We all know how delicate glitter globes are and how a piece of your heart breaks even when a faux one breaks. However, here we are talking about an heirloom that is worth thousands of dollars. So, before you bring out the cardboard boxes and tape, there is one other thing that you need to focus on first:

Insuring Your Antique

Antiques usually require an appraisal, in order to determine that the heirloom in question is worth the money that you have quoted. Once the company has given the word that your antique is one of a kind, you can seek insurance for it from the shipping company. There are various insurance plans such as automobile insurance, dealers insurance, and owners insurance. The insurance gives you a safety net that if the heirloom gets damaged or misplaced during shipping, the company will be responsible for it. They will either pay you back in cash the entire amount or replace it with an equally priced and important antique.

How to Package Antiques

Talking about an antique that has handles attached to, it is one of the most difficult heirlooms to pack. Reason – You cannot overwrap it for extra protection or under-wrap it. The overwrapping will make it difficult for the receiver to open the package and in cutting the layers with a scissor, they might accidentally nick it.

Here are 5 steps on how to package your antique:

Wrap individual parts of the antique with bubble wrap and then wrap the whole antique again with bubble wrap
Find a box that is just a little bit larger than the antique and stuff it with packing peanuts
Place the antique in the middle leaving six inches of space in all directions (make sure that the packing peanuts are stuffed tightly so that the antique does not jostle)
Place a bubble wrap on the top and close the lid. Tape it twice from both sides to make sure that the box does not accidentally open
Paste a sticker on the top and sides that has the following words written in bold letters:

ANTIQUE – HANDLE WITH CARE

In regard to an antique, shipping is the easy part if you have chosen a reliable company. The hard part is packaging, which can be quite time-consuming. If you feel that you don’t have the right materials and the expertise to pack an antique, it is better to ask your shipping company if they provide packing services too.

How to Pack and Ship Large Antiques Successfully

July 1, 2018 by shipsafe

When moving, taking care of your belongings is important. But when it comes to successful shipment of antiques, it’s a whole new ball game. Antiques are valuable, rare pieces that cost a fortune which is why it is essential to ensure that they are shipped successfully to the destination. Antiques are the kind of valuables that you can never replace once they are broken. We understand how scary even the thought can be, and that is exactly why we are here to help.

To help you with your packing, Pak Mail Santa Fe, NM experts have given a few tips and tricks to ensure safe shipment of your valuables and collectibles while you move.

Know your antiques
In order to make sure that you have packed it right, you must know the kind of packaging your antique will require. Are you valuables small in size like coins and jewelry or are they large in size like furniture, artwork or souvenirs? Either way, it is important to first know the packaging requirements before you start packing.
Packaging of your antiques is important
After knowing the size and requirements of your antiques, it is time to choose the right box for packaging. If you’re packaging small items which are likely to be broken or lost, pack them in a big box and fill it up with Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap.

If your valuables are large in size, choose the right vessel for shipment. No matter how you pack them, make sure that the empty spaces between and around the antique piece are filled with Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap so the piece won’t budge.

Put another box inside the box
To ensure optimal security of your valuables, put the packaged and secured item inside another box and fill the empty areas of the box with Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap so that the object does not move.

Get your valuables insured
You lose everything your valuables are damaged or broken during transit or shipping. However, if they are insured, you can easily get some return on your damaged items.
Hire a professional for help
It is economically recommended to pack your items yourself but in the case of valuables, it’s better not to take a risk. You might assume that you have packed the antiques right, but they might end up getting damaged. Therefore, it is best to take help from professional shipment companies like Pak Mail Santa Fe, NM.

To make sure that your items are securely delivered, get in touch with a Pak Mail representative today and find out all the details about their services. The service provided is trustworthy and they will inform you about all the important details related to your packaging and shipment. Happy shipping!

4 Tips on How to Pack Expensive Antiques for Safe Shipping and Storage

May 10, 2018 by shipsafe

Antiques can be extremely valuable and shipping them can be nerve wrecking for everyone involved. One slight chip or dent and you instantly depreciate the value of the item. On the other hand, sometimes shipping is inevitable since sellers and buyers do need to move the antique every now and then. If you are wondering how to pack expensive antiques safely for safe shipping and storage, the following are a few tips that you should consider

1. Approach the Professionals

Unless you are a seasoned pro, don’t try to look up how to pack expensive antiques since you will get access to a number of packaging techniques. On the other hand, a professional shipping company knows to pack expensive antiques and you can be sure not to expect any rookie mistakes from them. Eliminate the risks associated with packaging and shipping of expensive antiques by opting to get the help of professional shipping experts. Usually their vast amount of experience ensures that they know how to handle these antiques with ease.

2. Look for Custom Packaging

When you’re looking at how to pack expensive antiques, you are going to benefit more from opting for custom packaging. This is largely because there is no knowing how fragile and durable an antique is. Many have weathered through years but they tend to still be weak. A good knock or rough handling could leave you with a broken or damaged antique that is not worth anything. Custom packaging is crafted specifically to meet the shape, size and weight of the object being transported. This option also includes providing a double layered box, a crate or some other box that can easily accommodate the antique product.

3. Different Mediums, Different Requirements

Another thing to consider when working out how to pack expensive antiques is by opting to pay attention to the kind of medium or material it is made out off. For example: Antique paintings will require packaging that can not only accommodate its shape, they also end up being resistant to liquids, have a liner that is resistant to punctures and more. For items that are made of ceramic or bronze such as sculptures and vases, there are different things to consider such as support, foam inserts, foam peanuts and more.

4. Look for Certification and Validation

If you are thinking of opting for a professional shipping expert to help you with packing expensive antiques, look for different certification or other proof that gives validation, to their services. For example: we are the exclusive service providers for the Santa Fe SWAIA Indian Market, Folk Art Market, and Spanish Market, Altermann and Allard Auction and the Altermann, Tansey, and Mountain Trails Galleries. Our experience in handling expensive antique products gives us a great understanding of how to pack expensive antiques. If you want to find out more regarding our services and packaging options or have any other questions related to shipping, you can easily contact us and find out more regarding it.