--- title: How to Pack China: Plates, Cups and Serving Pieces url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-china/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack fine china # How to pack china Pack china in seven steps, and stand every plate on its edge, because a plate packed flat breaks and a plate on edge survives. Wrap each piece alone, cushion the box and fill every gap. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## Seven steps to pack china - Prepare the box. Use a small, sturdy box or a divided dish pack, tape the bottom and add three inches of crushed paper. - Wrap each plate alone. Place the plate on a sheet of clean packing paper, fold the corners over, and wrap the plate in a second sheet. - Bundle plates. Group three to five wrapped plates and wrap the bundle once more for extra cushioning. - Stand them on edge. Place the bundles on edge, never flat, along the sides of the box. - Wrap cups and bowls. Stuff cups with paper, wrap each one and pack them upright, with heavier items on the bottom. - Fill the gaps. Add crushed paper until nothing moves, and add a layer on top. - Seal and label. Tape the box, mark it Fragile and This Side Up on all sides and write the room. China is thin, hard and brittle, and it breaks from pressure and from pieces touching one another. The remedy is individual wrapping, an upright position and a firm, full box. Take your time here; a rushed china box is a broken one. ## Why on edge A plate is strongest across its width, and weakest across its face. Packed flat, the weight of the plates above presses down on the plate below. On edge, the rim takes the load. This is the reason that professional packers always stand plates upright. ## Paper, not newsprint, for fine pieces Newsprint ink can stain porcelain, so use plain packing paper for the first layer. A newsprint outer layer is fine for filler. Bubble wrap works for delicate rims, with paper under it to protect surfaces. ## Cups, glasses and serving pieces Gravy boats, teapots and tureens have handles and lids that snap off easily, so wrap the lid apart from the body and pad the handle with a folded sheet. Wrap each cup separately, with the handle padded. Stems of glasses need extra care; see [how to pack glasses](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/) and [how to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/). Platters and large pieces are best packed upright in a box by themselves. ## When to hire a packing crew Heirloom sets and large collections are often worth handing to professionals. O'Brien's offers full packing, partial packing and box packing only, with an itemized inventory and condition report before packing. See [full packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/full-packing/) and [partial packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/partial-packing/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [Library of Congress, Preservation: Caring for Your Collections](https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) - [How to pack glasses and stemware](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/) - [How to pack plates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-plates/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to move a fish tank or aquarium](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-fish-tank/) - [How to move a freezer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-freezer/) - [How to move a stove or range](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-stove/) - [How to move a dishwasher](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-dishwasher/) - [How to pack vinyl records](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-records/) - [Moving with a newborn](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-a-newborn/) - [Moving after a divorce](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-after-divorce/) - [Moving in together](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-in-together/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I stack china boxes? Keep them on top of other boxes, never beneath heavy ones, and mark them Fragile. ### Is a dish pack worth it? A divided dish pack gives extra strength, and it is sold at the O'Brien's Sparks office. ### What about china in a cabinet? Empty the cabinet before moving it. Wrap and pack the pieces separately. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070