How To Ship Fragile Items

PACKING ROOM / PRACTICAL GUIDE

Plan the supplies.
Check the whole cost.

Work out how many boxes and rolls you need, then check current product prices and a combined US shipping estimate. Buy each supply in its actual sale unit.

No email or account needed

Start with the packing steps · Calculate supplies

Draft preview. Saved product prices are shown for layout and calculations. Live estimates and cart actions are disabled.

Loading the supply planner…

01 / YOUR ESTIMATES

What are you preparing?

Box and cushioning quantities are independent. Neither quantity establishes that the materials will protect or fully pack a given number of shipments.

Optional: check the outer box dimensions

Use the dimensions of your already-packed item or inner box. Add your chosen cushioning clearance on every side. This checks geometry only.

Three inches is shown as a starting input based on the linked FedEx guidance below. Your packing method may need a different box or materials.

02 / CHOOSE WHOLE UNITS

Adjust your supply list

These are separate products. Start from your own requirements; no combination is preselected or recommended for lowest delivered cost.

16 × 12 × 12 in shipping boxes

SKU 161212

16 × 12 × 12 in shipping boxes

bundle of 25 boxes

Product details

24 in wide bubble cushioning

SKU BWUP316S24

24 in wide bubble cushioning

pack of two 300 ft rolls

Product details

BEFORE YOU PACK

How to pack fragile items

Choose a packing method first, then measure the supplies it uses.

  1. Wrap each item separately. FedEx recommends at least three inches of air-cellular cushioning around fragile products. Protect items from contact with one another.
  2. Pack the inner box. Center the wrapped item and fill open spaces so it cannot shift. Choose a sturdy carton that supports the contents.
  3. Add an outer box. FedEx’s double-box method uses three inches of cushioning inside and around the inner box. Measure the finished inner package before choosing the outer carton.
  4. Close and label. Tape the center seam and both edges of a corrugated box in an H pattern. Put the shipping label on the largest face, away from taped seams.

Read FedEx’s complete breakables packing guidance ↗

The listed 16×12×12 in carton is one outer-box option. Check your packed dimensions, clearance and product weight before choosing it. Inner boxes, tape and additional cushioning are separate supplies. For cups and drinking glasses, see our glassware packing guide.