If you are planning a long-distance move, proper packing is very important to ensure your fine china is well protected from damage while in transit.  After all, these pieces can be expensive and oftentimes sentimental so you want to be sure they arrive safely at your destination.  In order to keep your fine china in great condition across the miles, try following these important packing steps.

Step 1: Start with an Open Work Space
Fine china is delicate so you want to be extra careful when packing them.  Clearing off a large area such as a dining room table or open floor area will allow you to spread out your china and packing materials while limiting damage from other items.  It is also best to work on a soft surface to reduce the chances of damage.  Lay some thick blankets across your table or consider working on a carpeted space.  Once you have selected a good work space, carefully lay all your pieces out in front of you so you can easily keep track of them.

Step 2: Use the Right Materials
The right packing supplies can make all the difference in the safety of your china.  The following materials will be needed in order to properly pack your fine china:

• tape gun
• tissue paper
• large bubble wrap
• small bubble wrap
• packing peanuts
• inner boxes (14”x14”x20”)
• double walled dish pack boxes (18”x18”x27”)

Step 3: Group Like Items
You will want to start by sorting your china and grouping like items- plates with plates, bowls with bowls, saucers with saucers, etc.   If you have any pieces that are different or extremely fragile you will want to pack them in individual boxes. 

Step 4: Wrap Each Piece
Using tissue paper and scotch tape, neatly wrap each item, keeping them organized by size and type.  Note: tissue paper works better than newspaper for long distance moves.  Once the pieces are wrapped with tissue, wrap each piece with bubble wrap with the smaller bubble wrap making sure to cover every exposed area.  You can tape the bubble wrap with packing tape.  Next, you are going to bubble wrap again but this time using the larger bubble wrap and tape with the packing tape.  Most dishes break because they bump into each other and this double wrapping should prevent your dishes from moving around. 

Step 5: Pack Your China
When packing china plates, you can stack them and then wrap the entire stack with additional bubble wrap.  If the plates are heavy, do not stack more than 5 at a time.  Only stack pieces that are alike. Fill the bottom of the inner box with 3 inches of packing peanuts and place one layer of items along the bottom.  Now add another layer of packing peanuts and gently shake the box to settle the packing peanuts before adding another layer of items.  Continue this process until you are about 2 inches away from the top of the inner box.  Once you have placed your final layer in the box, pour packing peanuts over the top layer.  Do not over pack your boxes or apply too much pressure to each box, as this could break your china.  Place 3 inches of packing peanuts on the bottom of your double walled dish pack box and gently place the inner box on top.  Fill the void space with additional packing peanuts and secure the box with packing tape.