Safe packing and shipping of high dollar shipments

[68Camaro]

Focused on Gold, but equally applicable to anything else of high value. Obviously it is focused on US shipping. Extracted from an article just written by President of Miles Franklin, one of the larger bullion dealers in the US. Emphasis below is mine. Note especially the last sentence.

Packaging is the most important step in the process. It is very important to make sure gold coins are securely wrapped or packaged tightly in tubes. Even with tubes, it is not a bad idea to stuff a cotton ball inside the tube to eliminate rattle. The bottom line is one should err on the side of safety rather than under-protection.

The only way to securely mail gold is through the US post office. The post office offers a program called Priority Flat Rate. With free shipping supplies, Flat Rate options, and no weighing or calculating, the Priority Mail Flat Rate service is a simple way to ship. Delivery times are typically two days [except with registered mail, which this article covers - registered mail may take substantially longer to deliver due to the security requirements -68], and Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are both fast and affordable.

After you seal the Flat Rate box with strapping tape, you will need to cover all the edges of the box top, bottom, and center with postal registered tape. Unfortunately, it is hard to find postal registered tape any place other than behind the counter at the post office; however - like the Flat Rate box - it too is free.

First, cut the registered tape to size, and activate the adhesive on the back with a damp sponge or paper towel. After sealing the box with strapping tape, apply the registered tape over all boxes seams. Anywhere someone could stick an exact-o knife blade into the box must be covered with the registered tape.

The last step involves simply addressing the box, and obtaining the registered receipt. You will declare the value of the contents on the registered receipt, but need not tell the postal employee what you are sending. My personal favorite response is "machine parts," but as long as the package does not contain hazardous material, it is none of their business!

In 23 years of business, we have never lost or not received a sent registered and insured package.

[Morsecode]

Yep. Registered & Insured. Crazy to do it any other way.

Many years ago, I bought a kilo gold bar and naively had it shipped regular 1st Class mail. It got here safely, eventually...but it was a long 5 days

[rexmerdinus]

+1

I ship anything over $1k via registered mail. It costs more and is slow, but it's well worth it for the peace of mind.

[Mossy]

One of the tubes of ASEs I bought came open in the box. Lot's of rattles, none lost.

Tape tubes so the ends don't come off.

[Rosco]

Received a Heart shape pillow in Small flat rate box with the gold pieces securely taped to inside of SFR box no rattles what so ever

I watch for that persons listings here

[creshka46]

I've found that plastic grocery bags are great packing material. They're free, and at least in my house, we end up with TONS of them that we otherwise would have no use for.

[Chief]

I've found that plastic grocery bags are great packing material. They're free, and at least in my house, we end up with TONS of them that we otherwise would have no use for.

+1 on that. I also fill them with half or dime wrappers. They work just as well as peanuts.

[Numis Pam]

I appreciate reading the great information in this thread! Keep it comming... someday I may actually try to sell something instead of hoarding it all, just to prove to my hubby that my 'hobby' is actually a great investment.... right now he says it just costs him money ... all outgo and no income!! lol