How to Ship an Antique Doll

Avoid heartache, tears and regrets by packing and shipping your antique doll to ensure safe arrival.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cardboard Boxes
• Address Labels
• Bubble Wraps
• Packaging Tape
• Packing Peanuts

1. Get a cardboard box that is big enough to hold your doll, with 3 to 4 extra inches on all sides.
2. Wrap your doll carefully and securely in bubble wrap, paying special attention to the extremities - head, hands and feet. Depending on how fragile the doll is, you may want to wrap the hands and feet separately before wrapping them with the body.
3. Put a 3- to 4-inch layer of packing peanuts in the box.
4. Place the doll carefully on the peanuts.
5. Fill around the doll with additional peanuts - on the sides, at the top and bottom and all the way to the top of the box walls. Fill the box completely.
6. Put a copy of your name and address and the recipient's name and address inside the box, just in case it opens in transit.
7. Close, seal and address the box.
8. Ship it, making sure to fill out all necessary forms for insurance (and customs, if applicable). Don't forget to ask for an approximate arrival date so that you can warn the recipient to be on the lookout.

Tips & Warnings

• If your doll has movable eyelids, remove the wig and pate before packing. Put tissue paper inside the head to secure the eyelids so they can't flutter (and get damaged).
• Disposable diapers make great packing material, especially for dolls' heads.
• If the doll is very old or very fragile (or if it's setting out on a particularly onerous journey), pack as directed above, then put the box in a bigger box with a layer of peanuts all around for extra protection.