Shipping & Packaging

Pack it like it cost what it did.

Every piece on The Glass Exchange has real dollar value and real collector significance. This page covers exactly how to package, ship, document, and insure your piece so it arrives right and the transaction closes cleanly.

1

Start with a hard case whenever possible

For high-value pieces, a Pelican or Apache hard case is the gold standard. The rigid shell protects against drops, crushing, and pressure. Include a foam insert that holds the piece firmly without flex or rattle.

For pieces without a hard case, use a purpose-built foam cradle inside a sealed bag before boxing.

Pelican 1200 and 1450 fit most recyclers and rigs. Apache 3800 and 4800 work well for larger sculptural pieces.
Recommended cases

Pelican 1200, 1300, 1450, 1500 · Apache 3800, 4800 · Custom foam-fitted cases

Foam standard

Pick-and-pluck or custom-cut foam. The piece should not shift at all when the case is shaken.

2

Wrap joints, slides, and fragile attachments separately

Remove any detachable components — slides, downstems, accessories, marbles — and wrap them individually in bubble wrap or foam pouches before placing them in the case or box.

Never pack loose glass against glass without a full barrier between each piece.

A loose slide rattling against a joint is the single most preventable source of damage. Wrap everything individually.
Per-item wrapping

2–3 layers minimum of bubble wrap per accessory. Secure with paper tape or a rubber band, not adhesive tape touching glass.

Marble pouches

Cloth bags or foam pouches. Never loose in the case without a soft barrier.

3

Double-box the hard case or wrapped piece

Place the hard case or wrapped piece inside a cardboard box with at least 2–3 inches of packing material on all six sides. Crumpled kraft paper, foam peanuts, or air pillows all work. Avoid newspaper alone — it compresses too easily.

The outer box should feel firm when you press on any face. If you can feel the inner case or package through the box wall, add more fill.

The double-box method is required by most shippers for full insurance claim eligibility on fragile goods. A single-wall box is not sufficient.
Outer box rating

Use a heavy-duty double-wall corrugated box rated for at least 65 lbs. Single-wall is not adequate for glass.

Fill materials

Foam peanuts, air pillows, crumpled kraft paper. Fill every cavity. The piece should not shift even if you shake the box hard.

4

Seal and label clearly

Tape all seams — including the top, bottom, and all four side edges — with heavy packing tape. Run a strip along the center seam and reinforce the corners. Do not rely on flap friction or a single strip of tape.

Affix the shipping label flat and flush. Cover it with a strip of clear tape to protect against moisture. Write a secondary address on a card and include it inside the box as a backup.

Tape standard

2–3 inch wide packing tape. Seal every seam. Fragile stickers are optional but do not reduce handling roughness.

Inside address

Include a card with buyer name, address, and transaction ID inside the box in case the label is damaged or lost.

5

Ship fully insured with signature confirmation

Declare the full transaction value when insuring. Do not under-declare to save on insurance cost — this creates problems for claims and for the buyer's verification process.

Signature confirmation is strongly preferred for any piece valued over $500. For pieces over $2,500, it is required by The Glass Exchange standard.

FedEx, UPS, and USPS Priority all support declared value insurance. FedEx and UPS allow higher declared values more reliably. Avoid basic USPS for higher-value pieces.
Carrier recommendation

FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Ground/Air for high-value pieces. USPS Priority Mail is acceptable for lower values with appropriate insurance.

Insurance standard

Insure for the full transaction value. Signature confirmation required over $2,500. Retain your shipping receipt and tracking number.

6

Document everything with photos and video

Before sealing the outer box, take photos or video of the following: the piece inside the case or foam, all accessories wrapped and positioned, the full open box before sealing, and the sealed and labeled box ready for shipment.

This packaging documentation is not required but is strongly encouraged. In the event of a dispute, clear packaging photos are often the single most important factor in resolution.

A 30-second phone video of the packaging process is often more useful than photos alone. Capture the piece, the foam, the accessories, and the seal in one continuous take.
What to capture

Piece in foam, accessories wrapped, box filled and sealed, outer label clearly visible.

Video tip

Keep the video as evidence. Share the tracking number with The Glass Exchange as soon as it is generated.

7

Upload tracking and notify promptly

Once the shipment is in carrier hands, upload the tracking number through your seller dashboard or provide it directly through the transaction. Tracking should be shared within 24 hours of auction close under normal circumstances.

The buyer's 72-hour verification window begins at confirmed delivery, not at shipment. Keep the tracking visible and reachable in your records through the full verification period.

Delays in sharing tracking create unnecessary uncertainty for buyers and can affect resolution timing if issues arise.