A decanter is a vessel used for serving or storing wines and other alcoholic beverages such as cognac and whiskey. It can be made from a variety of inert materials such as glass, crystal, or porcelain and usually comes with a stopper.
There are a wide variety of shapes and forms of decanters from simply blown glass affairs to intricately carved crystal pieces. The numerous interesting designs, colorful history, and sheer beauty make decanter collecting a fun hobby enjoyed by thousands worldwide. The price of decanters varies from cheap to extremely expensive depending on the item’s scarcity, manufacturer, age, and materials used.
When shipping fragile items such as decanters, they must be properly packaged to avoid breakage and other damage such as chipping and scratches. Here are some tips on how to properly pack and ship a decanter to ensure that it arrives in excellent condition.
Remove the stopper and wrap the entire decanter in several layers of bubble wrap. Bubble wrap the stopper separately. Make sure end and top of the decanter is well-protected and add extra padding to protruding parts such as handles, if any. Use packing tape to secure bubble wrap in place.
Place the bubble-wrapped decanter within a sturdy appropriately-sized box with packing peanuts at the bottom. Add more packing peanuts around the object. Place the stopper in the box and fill remaining space with more peanuts. Make sure that the box is well-filled to prevent the items from jostling around during transit. Close and tape the box shut.
Place the box inside a larger cardboard box and surround it all around with more packing materials to keep it from moving around during shipment.
When shipping several decanters in one package, arrange the individually boxed items inside a bigger box with packaging materials at the bottom. Fill any empty space on the sides, between the small boxes, and the top of the box with more packing materials to prevent any movement. Close the box and secure it with tape.
Address and label the package and take to a post office or carrier of your choice. Insure any high-value shipment.