How to Pack and Ship Antiques When Moving

Moving antiques is a tricky process. These items are often quite delicate and expensive, so you
should give them all the attention and care they deserve when trying to move them. The last thing
you want is for your precious items to get lost and damaged.

There are many things you can do to avoid this and ensure your antiques get to their destination
intact. If you want to learn how to make this happen, have a look at our list of tips and steps to take.

1. Take Inventory of Your Items

Before you’re ready to move your antiques, you must have a system for keeping close track of them.
This is especially true if you have many valuables you’d like to transport. This way, you can check if
all of them have arrived once you’re ready to unload them.

Now, it’s not enough to just list out your items. You must also make a note of their condition to
ensure nothing was damaged during transport. As you unpack your valuables, thoroughly examine
them and compare their condition to your inventory.

2. Get an Appraisal

This step is only necessary if you’re working with a moving company. If you plan on transporting
your antiques yourself, you can skip it (assuming you’re familiar with their precise value and don’t
need an official document).

An appraisal is crucial for communicating your needs to the moving company. They should know the
value of your items before they pack them. Plus, if anything gets damaged, lost, or stolen, an
appraisal helps you file a claim.

The American Society of Appraisers is a great resource for appraisal information and finding a
certified appraiser in your area.

3. Check Your Insurance

Does your homeowner’s insurance cover antiques? If you can’t answer this question, you should
contact your insurer to inquire about it. While your insurance can’t make up for the sentimental
value of an antique, it can compensate you fairly.

If you decide to work with a moving company, ask about their insurance and what it covers. They
should have some liability insurance, but you must ensure the policy can cover an item’s value fully.

Many policies offer 60 cents on a dollar, so quite a bit of the antique’s value could be lost if it’s
damaged. Explore different insurance options to find adequate protection.

4. Find Quality Packing Materials

You can’t just wrap your valuable items in newspaper and load them onto the truck. It’s crucial to
find the right boxes and protective materials.

ThreeMovers.com mentions that antiques should be crated for optimal protection. Other materials
will also come in handy.
                         •  Glassine
                         •  Styrofoam
                         •  Corner protectors
                         •  Moving blankets
                         •  Bubble wrap
Of course, the exact materials you’ll use will depend on the type of antiques you own. Glassine is
excellent for any glass item, as its wax-like finish prevents smudging. Bubble wrap and Styrofoam are
good for cushioning, so make sure to surround your items with them when you pack the item in a
box.

Speaking of which, you should select the right boxes for different antiques. Generally speaking, you’ll
want to use smaller boxes to avoid shifting (as long as the antique can fit into a box without pressure
from the sides).

Certain items like mirrors need specialized boxes, so it pays to invest in them. Your antiques are
likely quite expensive, and you don’t want them to lose value due to damage caused by poor
packaging.

With large antiques like furniture, see if you can assemble them before packing. Wrap your furniture
in moving blankets and bubble wrap, then secure it with packing tape.

5. Take It Slow

Be cautious when loading your items onto a moving truck and avoid rushing. If you move any
furniture, it’s best to clear your space and create a smooth path from your home to the truck.
Otherwise, you risk tripping over something, scratching your furniture, or injuring yourself.
As you move your antiques, take it slow and move one item at a time. Stacking multiple boxes and
moving them together is a recipe for disaster, as it greatly increases the chances of damaging your
items.

If you’re moving any large antiques, never drag them along the floor. This goes for furniture, statues,
or any other items you might find hard to carry. It’s better to ask for help and involve multiple
people than to drag your items. This is because the vibrations caused by dragging can damage your
items, chip the paint, or cause parts of your furniture to break.

6. Work With Professional Movers

Unless you’re an expert yourself, it might be best to leave moving your antiques to professionals. It’s
a more expensive option than doing it on your own, but your antiques are worth the cost.

Many moving companies have lots of experience shipping antiques. They can also help you pack
them properly so nothing gets damaged.
When looking for a moving company, make sure they have the appropriate licenses and
certifications. While scams aren’t common, you don’t want to leave high-value items exposed to any
risk of getting stolen.

Another important factor to consider is the company’s experience with moving specific antiques
similar to yours. If the company has only moved small items in the past, they might not have the
know-how to move furniture. Ask the mover about their previous clients whose moving
requirements were the same as yours.

Finally, see if the company offers any extra services that could be of benefit. Perhaps they supply
their own crates or materials, or maybe they can unpack everything for you.
Protect Your Valuables

Shipping antiques is vastly different from shipping regular items. There are many questions to ask,
and you must prepare for the process properly.
Remember to take inventory of everything and closely examine your antiques before and after
shipping. Use the tips you read here to pack them the right way, and you’ll minimize the risk of
accidents.

If you can’t do it on your own, don’t hesitate to seek help. Even if you pay a bit more for professional
shipping, the peace of mind will be worth the investment.

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