Comments on: Shipping/Posting of ceramics

By: Joy Trpkovic

Joy Trpkovic — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:04:24 +0000

Hi Stephen, details that might be helpful for shipping are : 1stbox. Co.uk who will make double walled flat pack corrugated cardboard boxes to any dimensions to be delivered the next day. For substantial foam lined crates made to measure for shipping, Abrahams. E3 2H, tel. 02089801937

By: Jane Wheeler

Jane Wheeler — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:46:25 +0000

I use special foam packaging (instapack) which blows up inside a plastic bag to the shape of the piece. you put one in the bottom of the box/shape you want to spacefill for the pot, put the pot in as the stuff blows up (it’s hot) and then another blow-up bag on top and close the box (quickly). fantastic safe packaging. not cheap of course. but it means you don’t need the double box.
I did use a company called Art on the MOve to insure things, and send via TNT, but they won’t just insure now, they inform me,they have to ship as well.

By: Christine Hester Smith

Christine Hester Smith — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:59:38 +0000

Pack it in so much bubble and rammed with polystyrene offcuts so that nothing can move and you feel it is safe enough to kick – that is my personal insurance. (It can be plastered with fragile tape and the van driver still throws it into his van).
I did once lose a consignment of pots going to a gallery. When I tried to claim with the carrier they said the box wasn’t insured as it was ‘ceramics’. Well, yes, against breakage, I said, but you LOST it! I eventually received compensation after many letters including one from a solicotor. The solitors fee being the equivalent of the compensation,but it made me feel better. Needless to say I changed carriers but it has made me anxious about the status of ceramics ever since.

By: Sue Paraskeva

Sue Paraskeva — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 08:50:39 +0000

Wrap pots well in bubble wrap, folding it double and wrapping that around the rim. I use a roll of corrugated cardboard, cut as required. I can throw the work round the studio so feel that is ok. This is my inner box on all items, then Eco friendly chips and a strong box. I have started using a courier as next day service should mean less time kicking around in a depo. No movement in the box is important, good luck

By: L Robson

L Robson — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:12:40 +0000

I’ve used Post office to send to USA. All arrived intact. USA returned unsold work to me FedEx intact. The above comments all stress the same thing – Careful packing is the key.
I try and imaging a postal worker with tight deadlines chucking boxes into vans when I’m packing my work. Double box with poly chips in the void. Use sturdy corrugated boxes and tape all the seams to keep rigid. All work needs to sit in its own cocoon of bubbles with no room to move about (fill spaces with bubblewrap) with a further outer layer to take any impact from another box as it bounces around depots.

By: Mark Dally

Mark Dally — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:20:56 +0000

I’ve been using Fed-ex for some time now and they are good value and have not broken a piece yet. 10 kilos is about £9.50 (2 days delivery “economy” ) about £11.50 (for “next day”)
I agree with Phil Rogers… good packing avoids your disappointment…. the galleries disappointment and all it takes is a little longer.
Buy bulk Bubblewrap small bubbles and large bubbles “perforated” (it saves time…trust me)
Free Polystyrene from the local Electrical goods shop fills the big spaces inbetween the pieces.
Fed-ex expect you to set up a direct debit mandate with them. They do insure ceramics.

By: Linda Bloomfield

Linda Bloomfield — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:56:16 +0000

I have come to the conclusion that you should pack ceramics very carefully, making sure nothing in the box can move or touch other pieces or the walls of the box. Use a service where the package stays in the hands of the couriers for the minimum possible time. Even if you do insure, it often takes months to get any money back. I have started to use first class for small orders instead of special delivery and have had no breakages.

By: Phil Rogers

Phil Rogers — Sun, 16 May 2010 07:55:33 +0000

Stephen,
It is true that the Post Office do not insure ceramic other than for the complete loss of the box….not breakage. A lot of carriers have the same policy such as Interlink for instance. The problem is that almost every Post Office counter are not familiar with the rules and are happy to say ‘yes’ it is covered until you press them to look at the rule book!
Shipping abroad is easier and not a lot more expensive except, of course, the insurance is on top and usually is a minimum amount. I use an excellent shipper…Gloucester Freight…they are incredibly good..very professional..and I have never had a problem with them after something like 30 individual shipments sometimes containing as many as 6 large crates. Crtaes leaving the pottery on a Monday are often in the gallery in the USa by Thursday. Gloucester Freight can be googled for their contact details. They will also carry within the Uk but the insurance is a 25 pound minimum premium and covers up to 10,000 I think but one would need to check this.

Packing is the key. Pack really well and don’t be mean with the bubble wrap! If shipping abroad and you are shipping a number of pieces use what is called a 1/2 Europa crate from MacFarlane. It is a self assembly crate with a wooden pallett attached. Means that the box HAS to be lifted properly and can’t be thrown around by the airline.

Phil