Rules for sending breakables (china, glass, etc.)?

[davthepunk]

Hello again guys,

Just a quick question. I'm considering eBaying some of my late grandmother's trinkets/ornaments/etc. soon - and I just wanted to clarify the situation with regards to sending easily breakable items such as glass and china through the mail, both domestically and internationally...

I'm aware that I'd need to (very) securely package everything and clearly mark it as Fragile - but would I be correct in saying that any such item must only be sent via Special Delivery within the UK in order to be insured against damage in transit, even if it's a low-value item?

(RM website is down at the time of writing this, but I'm pretty sure that this is what it said when I looked earlier on)

Similarly what are the rules for insuring my items if sending them abroad? Do I need to use International Signed For/Airsure? I couldn't find anything about that on the website...

Thanks.

[Lounge Lizard]

Ask yourself if I throw the parcel for someone to catch a few feet away will the contents be okay ?

[davthepunk]

Ask yourself if I throw the parcel for someone to catch a few feet away will the contents be okay ?

Thanks. Yeah, I'm umming and ahhing about whether it's going to be worth me doing (in terms of cost of packaging/postage vs. value of items), as opposed to selling locally at a car boot sale.

Anyone able to confirm the specific rules about which service(s) I would need to use?

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

Ask yourself if I throw the parcel for someone to catch a few feet away will the contents be okay ?

Thanks. Yeah, I'm umming and ahhing about whether it's going to be worth me doing (in terms of cost of packaging/postage vs. value of items), as opposed to selling locally at a car boot sale.

Anyone able to confirm the specific rules about which service(s) I would need to use?

http://www.royalmail.com/parcel-despatc ... gile-items" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Snaggletooth]

There is no need to use a specific service but you will need to consider using using Special Delivery or Parcelforce services for cover for loss and damage and think very carefully about how you pack it: it's your responsibility to pack it well enough to survive the rough and tumble of transit.

The things you are talking about might be excluded from compensation by Parcelforce but allowed by Royal Mail, it is worth checking both lists, and if that's the case you should try to ensure that the item is within the smaller Royal Mail size limits. For instance, PFW exclude antiques from compensation but RM allow it, so a 50cm antique vase has to be carefully package so it is protected in transit but the overall length of the box does not exceed the 60cm length limit on SD parcels. BTW I haven't checked all the facts in this example, it's done from memory, I am just trying to illustrate the many vectors you need to consider.

[eric the viking]

Parcelforce will not cover for breakages if contents are glass or china.