To ship fragile items, wrap each piece in at least 3 inches of cushioning, double-box it, fill every gap, and buy coverage for its value.
A "Fragile" sticker helps, but it does not replace packing: FedEx, for example, will not be deemed at fault for damage to a shipment that was improperly packed. USPS no longer sells a fragile handling service, so packing and coverage are what protect your item.
What counts as a fragile item?
A fragile item is anything that can break, crack or be damaged by a drop, pressure, vibration or moisture in transit.
- Glass and crystal: wine glasses, vases, perfume bottles, ornaments.
- Ceramics: porcelain figurines, antique china, pottery.
- Electronics: laptops, phones, tablets and anything with sensitive internal parts.
- Artwork: paintings, sculptures, delicate frames.
- Larger goods: furniture, musical instruments and appliances.
- Food such as cookies, covered in how to ship baked goods.
How do you pack fragile items for shipping?
Use a strong box, wrap each piece, keep it away from the walls, double-box, fill the gaps and tape with the H method.
- Pick a strong box. FedEx says it must support the product's weight and leave room for cushioning. A new corrugated box is safest; reused boxes lose strength.
- Wrap each item separately. FedEx recommends at least 3 inches of air-cellular cushioning, such as bubble wrap, around each fragile product. Tape the wrap so it cannot unroll.
- Cushion the bottom first. Place the item so it does not touch the bottom, sides or corners of the box, and keep several pieces apart.
- Fill every gap. Use packing peanuts, air pillows, crinkle paper or crumpled paper so nothing can shift.
- Double-box. FedEx advises double-boxing fragile items in a larger box with 3 inches of cushioning in and around the inner box.
- Seal with the H method. Tape the middle seam and both edges on the top and bottom, using strong packing tape.
- Label it. Put the shipping label on the largest surface, not across a taped seam. Add "Fragile" and "This Side Up" labels on several sides without covering the shipping label.
- Test it. Shake the box gently: if anything moves, add more fill.
Paper void fill is explained in what is Ranpak.
How do you pack specific fragile items?
Glassware and ceramics
Wrap each glass or plate on its own, stuff hollow pieces with paper, and use dividers or cell inserts so pieces never touch.
Perfume and glass bottles
Boxes with custom inserts hold bottles in place. They cost more, but they pay off if you ship the same bottle often.
Light jewelry and thin pieces
Padded paper or a bubble mailer is often enough for light, thin items; anything breakable still belongs in a box.
Large or heavy fragile items
Take off removable parts and wrap them separately. For furniture, artwork or rugs that do not fit a box, use a custom wooden crate lined with foam; see crate shipping. Shipments over 150 lbs go as freight shipping.
Do carriers charge extra to ship fragile items?
Not as a separate fragile fee: you pay the normal rate, plus any coverage you add.
USPS discontinued its Special Handling: Fragile option on July 10, 2022, so the old USPS fragile fee no longer exists. What raises the price of fragile shipments is the extra packaging: a bigger, double-boxed parcel can be billed by dimensional weight, so use the smallest outer box that still leaves 3 inches of cushioning.
Should you insure a fragile shipment?
Yes, if the item is worth more than the coverage the service already includes, which is usually $100.
| Carrier | Included | Note |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail | Up to $100 of insurance with most shipments | Restrictions apply; buy more for valuable items |
| FedEx | $100 standard limit of liability | Declared value is not insurance; maximums apply to artwork, jewelry and antiques |
FedEx reimburses only when the shipment was properly packed, and claims must be filed in writing with proof of the loss or damage. Keep photos of the packed box and the receipt. More in our shipping insurance guide.
Which shipping option is best for fragile items?
Match the option to size and value: parcel carriers for boxed items, crates and freight for large pieces, white glove for setup.
- Boxed items up to parcel limits: UPS, FedEx or USPS, packed as above, with declared value or insurance.
- Oversized or heavy pieces: crated freight, which can also be handled by a freight forwarder.
- High-value items that need unpacking or installation: white glove delivery.
How do you ship fragile items internationally?
Pack them the same way, double-boxed, and declare the contents and value accurately for customs.
International parcels travel further and change hands more often, so double-boxing matters even more. Check the destination country's import rules, and describe each item and its true value on the customs form; see how to fill out a customs form. An undervalued item is also undervalued for a claim.
Shipping breakables for your business? See Fragile Item Shipping with Shipixy: discounted UPS, FedEx and USPS rates of up to 75%, no subscription fees. Compare prices in the Shipping Calculator or read more packaging and label guides.
Sources
All sources were checked on October 25, 2026. Carriers change their rules and prices; the official pages below always win.
