How to ship formal china & crystal??

Although we now live in the UK, we were married in the US and received several bone china place settings and Waterford crystal glasses. When we first arrived here, we managed to bring 3 place settings and a couple of glasses over in our carry-on luggage. However, we still have 4 more place settings at my parents' house and 10+ glasses.

Do we risk having it shipped? Also, how do you ship stuff overseas? UPS? Post office? I was so paranoid about things getting broken or lost that I brought as much stuff as I could fit on the plane with me. There's just still so many wedding presents back in the US that I would love to have here with us for Thanksgiving Dinners, etc.

I would really appreciate any advice anyone might have to offer.

I am worrying about this too...still have loads of stuff in storage in Florida.  It's not bone china & crystal, but antique Art Deco-style pottery (dinnerware) I inherited.  Totally freaked on how to get it over here without it breaking.

Worried about shipping it.  Wondering if I should just piece it over among trips to the US -- carrying it in my hand luggage, 'cause TSA TRASHED some breakable (and irreplaceable) sentimental items I tried to bring over in checked luggage.

 

That's exactly my fear. Like you, I decided to just bring a few items over one at a time in my hand luggage rather than risk it getting broken.

Ummmm, I was hoping y'all would have some ideas. I have service for 12 in my china and crystal that I want to bring over but am totally terrified about breakage! I'm thinking about doing a drop shipment. My brother is confident he can pack it, build the pallette and shrink wrap it so that I won't lose anything (he used to work for a moving company).

Let you know what I come up with!

Ummmm, I was hoping y'all would have some ideas. I have service for 12 in my china and crystal that I want to bring over but am totally terrified about breakage! I'm thinking about doing a drop shipment. My brother is confident he can pack it, build the pallette and shrink wrap it so that I won't lose anything (he used to work for a moving company).

Let you know what I come up with!

Yes please let us know how it works out!  So far, I've been just letting my stuff sit in storage, unsure as to what to do.  (Plus finding room for it here! )

I have moved my china and crystal for the 5th time now and even though we've always packed our stuff ourselves, I have always had professional movers pack my china.  that way, they do a much better job than I ever could and also, it is insured against breakage.  I have never had a broken piece in all the times i've moved.  and the pieces have always been packed tightly in newsprint in a china barrel. 

I have moved my china and crystal for the 5th time now and even though we've always packed our stuff ourselves, I have always had professional movers pack my china.  that way, they do a much better job than I ever could and also, it is insured against breakage.  I have never had a broken piece in all the times i've moved.  and the pieces have always been packed tightly in newsprint in a china barrel. 

I've moved tons and tons of time, as well. Some do-it-yourself and some professional moves. I have never lost a piece of my china or crystal. But, I'm a little nervous about the rough care given to overseas shipments. My china is no longer made so replacing a broken piece would be extremely difficult if not impossible. I just want to be as sure as I can before shipping.

When I moved here I had professional movers pack everything for me. I have a full service for 12 Rosenthal bone china with completer set and a set of 10 Mikasa bone china plus some antique crystal. Everything arrived safe and sound with not so much as a chip! If you value your things and dont want to take risks then call a moving company!

Any recommendations for moving companies? I want to know that I'm trusting my possessions to someone reputable.

I used a company called Sterling International. Google it and give them a ring or email them. They are very good!
Best of luck!

i used to work in the china department of a department store.

when wrapping delicate things like teacups, i always twist tissue paper around the handles to cushion them separately before i wrap the whole thing.

i'm starting to pack up my portmeirion for the big move in may & have been using strips of fleece left over from some blanket-making. it seems to be perfect so far. i've also been using pieces of fleece as cushions in between pieces, like saucers.

good luck!