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Fragile item shipping and transport experts

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Shipping Fragile Items Cross Country with TSI

Fragile items can be especially daunting to ship long distances. Whether you’re moving one item or an entire home’s worth of belongings, TSI makes shipping fragile items long distance easy. TSI’s expert problem solvers specialize in creating customized plans for moving or shipping fragile items. 

All of TSI’s fragile item shipping solutions include the preparation of furniture items to ensure your pieces arrive undamaged, including custom crating and climate-controlled trucks if needed. We can also help with packing boxes of smaller items if needed. Shipping fragile items from multiple origins to a single destination, or from a single origin to multiple destinations? We can help with that too. Request a fragile item shipping quote for more information. We move or ship fragile items cross country - or any distance longer than 150 miles - every day, including:

Furniture

Furniture

Dining room furniture, bedroom furniture, living room furniture, office furniture, and more. Learn More ›

Artwork

Artwork

Paintings, prints, framed art, stretch canvas, sculptures, heirloom art, and more. Learn More ›

Antiques

Antiques

China cabinets, chests, furniture, fine art, heirlooms, and other large items. Learn More ›

Clocks

Clocks

Grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, restoration clocks, and custom clocks. Learn More ›

Heirlooms

Heirlooms

Small or large heirloom items with financial and/or sentimental value.

Estate Distributions

Estate Distributions

Ship fragile estate items from one location to multiple destinations. Learn More ›

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Which Items Are Considered Fragile?

Fragile items are those at an increased risk of breaking or warping during packing, transit, and move-in. Many people also include sentimental items in this list, even if they're not made of traditionally breakable materials. A good rule to follow is that if the item would be expensive or impossible to replace, treat it as fragile. Typical fragile items include:

  • Glass or china kitchenware
  • Antique furniture and decor
  • Artwork
  • Lamps and chandeliers
  • Vases
  • Musical instruments
  • Mirrors
  • Collectibles
  • Some electronics
  • Items that are delicate or oddly shaped

Get a Fragile Item Shipping Quote

Request a fragile item shipping quote online to see your moving options and get instant pricing for fragile shipping. One of our logistics experts in Wayne, PA will reach out to you to get all the details about your move or fragile items, including details about each piece, final destination requirements, pickup conditions, and more.

How Shipping Fragile Items Works

A professional moving company like TSI lets you take a more hands-off approach while ensuring the utmost care for breakable goods. The best company to ship fragile items will offer different services to meet your budget and needs — for example, our on-site crating is ideal for large fragile goods, like instruments and expensive artwork.  If you are shipping fragile items long distance, our White Glove Consolidated shipping service is often the best option. If you need a faster delivery or have an large number of items to ship, our logistics specialists may recommend Full Service Expedited moving service. The exact cost of your shipment will depend on the size and number of fragile items you’re shipping, the distance they will travel, and any special considerations such as glass or delicate components.

White Glove Consolidated

Includes: 

  • Professional preparation of the furniture
  • Indoor pickup and delivery
  • Limited liability coverage

Full Service Expedited

Includes: 

  • Expedited timing
  • Full professional packing
  • Indoor pickup and delivery
  • Full valuation protection insurance

Customize Your Fragile Shipping

Insurance For all fragile shipping, we highly recommend purchasing full valuation protection insurance that can cover the value of the item (ask your logistics specialist for details).
Organizing Need help downsizing or planning your new space? Ask about our Professional Organizer services.
On-site Crating We can build a custom crate to safely transport especially fragile items such as artwork or antiques.
Packing & Unpacking We can help you pack boxes, furniture, and fragile items before you move, and even unpack when you reach your new home.

Invest in Insurance

Moving insurance provides peace of mind in case something happens. It will help offset the cost of repair or replacement in the uncommon but possible event of damage, loss, or theft. Common options include:

Basic Carrier Liability
Complete Value Protection
Assessed Value Protection
Declared Value Protection

If you're working with a professional moving company, ask them what coverage is already provided. Consider adding supplemental insurance to that basic coverage for fragile shipping. Remember to take pictures of each item in case you need to file an insurance claim later. NOTE: insurance providers often will not provide coverage for self-packed items.

Tips for Shipping Fragile Goods

You can do a few things to keep your items safe during the move and simplify the transport process:

Choose the Right Packaging
The best thing you can do to protect your breakables and sentimental items is to choose the right packaging — not just any old box or packing peanuts will do. Consider the following:

Dimensions: Your box or crate should match each item's dimensions, including its height, length, width, and weight. Avoid packing small items into large containers, as the excess room leaves more space for movement and damage. You also want to leave enough room in the box to add the appropriate filler to protect your item from impact.

Filler: Choose a filler material that molds to the shape and mass of each item without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. Some popular options when shipping fragile items include foam, padding, corrugated wraps, and bubbled plastic sheets. Remember to add filler in layers, and place extra in areas surrounding particularly breakable components.

Labeling: While labeling a box as “fragile” doesn't guarantee its safety, it does let everyone who comes into contact with that box know to handle it gently. 

 

a box full of fragile items ready to ship

Customer Opinions Matter

They help us serve you better. See what our customers have to say about our services below. You can read more reviews here. 

I found TSI on-line and read the reviews, which were positive. That is why I decided to send my favorite piece of furniture from Indiana to California. We were totally satisfied and Transit Systems lived up to its reputation.

Phyllis G. tsi

I had a lot of questions going into this, because it was a partial move of a few items, not a full truckload. I've relocated a lot over the course of my career and know things can go terribly wrong sometimes. TSI exceeded my expectations.… More ›

Diane K bbb

Great service from one remote location to another across country. Everyone was most helpful and the results were amazing!! Very professional.

Sharon K bbb

Frequently Asked Fragile Item Shipping Questions

How do I package fragile items for shipping?

There are multiple ways to pack fragile items for shipping. The best packing method depends on the size, weight, and value of what you are shipping.

Large fragile items like artwork or furniture are most securely packed into crates. Smaller fragile items can be packed safely into cardboard boxes with sufficient padding. For even extra security, you can double box small items by packing them into a box, then packing that box into a second larger box with extra padding. 

If you are shipping fragile items in boxes, always use new boxes made of heavy corrugated cardboard. Choose a box that is large enough for the item you wish to ship and its packaging material. There should be at least two inches between your item and the box on all sides. If multiple items will be packed in a single box, there should be two inches of packing material between each item.

 

Can I write “FRAGILE” on a package?

Yes, you can write “FRAGILE” on a package, but it does not guarantee that your package will not be dropped or damaged on its journey. Labeling your package as “FRAGILE” or “handle with care” is always a good idea, but the best protection you can give a fragile item is to pack it properly into a secure crate or strong box with adequate padding.

Is extra insurance available for shipping fragile items?

Yes, extra insurance is available for fragile item shipments, including artwork, antiques, and large or small fragile items. All fragile shipments transported by TSI include federally mandated limited liability coverage, which pays out at 60 cents per pound. For high-value, one-of-a-kind, original, or highly sentimental items, we strongly recommend purchasing supplemental insurance.

Fragile shipping for your treasured items

Give us a call at 1-800-626-1257 to get started. Or request a fragile item shipping quote online to see your moving options and get instant pricing for fragile shipping. One of our logistics experts in Wayne, Pennsylvania, will reach out to you to get all the details about your move or fragile items, including details about each piece, final destination requirements, pickup conditions, and more. We service the entire continental US.

Our expertise is in personalized long-distance small moves and specialty shipments — let us help with your fragile and sentimental items! Request your quote today.

Request Online Quote

MOVING & SHIPPING RESOURCES

Get moving advice & shipping tips in the TSI Resource Center, and subscribe to our informative blog, Outside the Box

Shipping Antiques

How to ship antiques properly

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Box Shipping

Shipping boxes to another state

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Small Item Shipping

Cut fragile item shipping costs

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