Packing breakables 101

Breakable products need the most care during packaging

Investing in packaging up front and making sure you’ve followed our recommended best practices are the best ways to ensure your fragile items are delivered safely.

Six key tips from our FedEx packaging experts:

1. Choose the right box

The right box does more than just fit tightly around your product. Your box should be sturdy enough to support your product’s weight and large enough to accommodate cushioning material.

2. Pack safely

Double-box fragile items within a larger box and include 3” of cushioning in and around the interior box. 

3. Restrict product movement

The correct placement and amount of cushioning is critical if you want your product to withstand events that can happen during shipping. Place the product in the middle of the box with ample cushioning on all sides. Use filler like crumpled newspaper, peanuts, or other cushioning material to keep your product from moving around.

4. Pack fragile products individually

Wrap fragile products individually in a minimum 3" thickness of air-cellular cushioning material, and then fill any empty spaces with loose-fill peanuts or other cushioning material.

5. Seal tightly

For a standard corrugated box, create an "H" by taping down the middle seam and on each edge. See our infographic for the best way to tape your package.

 6. Always mark “Fragile!"

Properly place the shipping label on the package’s largest surface; this will increase your chance for the preferred orientation.

If you’d like more detailed information on packaging various types of breakable items, explore our How to Pack guide.