How to Pack China for Moving or Storage

Made from fragile materials like clay, bone ash, and porcelain, china can easily crack, chip, or shatter if not handled properly. Whether you’re moving out of state or simply relocating nearby, it’s important to take extra care when packing fine china to protect these delicate pieces. For a stress-free move, follow this step-by-step guide filled with packing tips for fine china!

Gather Packing Supplies

Before you can begin working through your packing checklist, you need to collect the proper packing materials. With the right supplies, you can better secure your china pieces and help prevent damage. These are the supplies you’ll need when packing china:

• Bubble wrap

• Dish packs or in-box dividers

• Markers

• Packing paper

• Packing peanuts

• Packing tape

• Small moving boxes

Prepare Your Fine China Sets for Packing

Ensuring your pieces are in the proper condition and getting them all organized can make packing and unpacking both safer and easier. Here are the best ways to prepare your chinaware to be packed:

• Start by washing and drying each piece, making sure no moisture is left behind.

• Inspect your chinaware for cracks, chips, or other signs of wear. If any of your china pieces are damaged, make a note to take extra caution when packing them.

• Group similar items together, creating separate stacks for your dinner plates, salad bowls, and other pieces. Not only do like-items fit better into boxes together, but this also allows you to locate your pieces more easily when unpacking.

Carefully Wrap Each Piece of China

Once you’ve prepped all your plates, bowls, drinkware, and serving dishes, it’s time to start packing your chinaware. Avoid stacking items and wrapping them together like you would when packing dishes that are more durable. Instead, each piece of china should be wrapped individually to prevent contact that can result in scuffs or breakage during transit. It’s also best to add a layer of bubble wrap between your wrapped dishes to give them some extra padding. Follow these steps to properly wrap your entire fine china set:

• Plates: Lay a piece of packing paper down on a flat surface, then place a plate face-down in the middle. Fold the paper to the plate’s shape, and secure it with packing tape.

• Bowls: Place a bowl in the center of a sheet of packing paper, facing up. Fold each corner into the center of the bowl until the piece is fully covered, then tape it down. For additional padding and protection, crumple an extra sheet of paper into a ball and place it in the opening.

• Drinkware: Lay your cup or glass on its side at the corner of a sheet of packing paper—and if the cup has a handle, fold the corner of the paper around it to provide some extra padding. Then, roll the china down the length of the sheet. Stuff the excess paper on top into the opening of the cup and fold the paper at the bottom to gently wrap it around the base.

Securely Pack Your Moving Boxes

After each individual piece of china is wrapped, you can start packing them into boxes. Be sure to use separate boxes for plates, bowls, and drinkware—packing like-items together helps them fit more securely and minimizes the risk of damage. Additionally, avoid overpacking your boxes so they’re easier to carry. These are the best tips for packing a moving box with china:

• Start by lining the bottom of each box with a layer of densely-packed paper or packing peanuts for added cushioning.

• If you’re using a dish pack, put one of your packed china pieces within each individual section.

• If you’re using a standard moving box, stack plates and bowls vertically (on their edges) to reduce the risk of breakage. Set drinkware upright to reduce pressure on the rims. Add a layer of cardboard, bubble wrap, or packing paper between each item to prevent them from touching.

• Once everything is placed in the box, fill any gaps with packing paper or packing peanuts to ensure everything is tightly packed and there is no movement.

• Seal all the edges of the box with tape and use a marker to label the box with its contents—as well as “Fragile” and “This Side Up” designations so the boxes will be handled with care.

• For added protection, you can wrap your box inside packing blankets to further prevent damage to your china while moving.

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