Packing proverbs - how to POST china

I have to speak about packing methods as I buy a lot of vintage Noritake and some people have no idea how to pack. IN fairness when I started ebay (selling my un-needed baby goods and buying china instead) I had no idea and I was stunned at the variations in packaging on some of the items I bought. I thought some were excessive and others were (broken) inadequate. Once I found out what happened to parcels via Australia Post I soon understood why things got broken..I'll give you the low-down on that 'cause it is important to understand WHAT your packaging has to withstand. Aussie post use giant industrial skips (large bins) and the parcels are tipped to and from these like garbage. After you have packed anything breakable you should feel quite comfortable in giving it a shove off the kitchen table and onto the floor..'cause that is some of the force it will be subjected to on its journey! BUT do not PANIC... it is not impossible to pack and send safely (despite the best efforts of AU post) the majority of my items have been packed properly and arrived safely.RULES are basically use large sturdy box -something that has had heavy things in it..wine boxes are very good...or boxes that had cans in them. Not the box that has had say, toilet paper or potato chips- they are always weak. ) Allow space around items and edge of box..line with lumps of styrene if you have it (like old fruit box) The object is to ensure that the items can not be impacted from the sides..so a buffer..scrunched newpaper is fine if you do not have styrene. Individually wrap each item..stack plates and saucers OK - but have something in between AND around. I personally always use bubblewrap (cause I buy so much stuff I never run out of it) but if you do not have that, several layers of newspaper (4 ) will suffice. Your aim should be to make each piece look like a mini football -use tape to secure it tightly. Ideally you should not be able to feel any edges, put extra padding around handles. DO NOT nest cups. I got one lot packed in disposable nappies (unusual but effective..I think they were from the seconds shop!) If you have a large box with many items consider double boxing..stacks of heavy plates can crush teacups when box goes upside down. (which it WILL)If it is a single item less effort is required, but still plenty of wrapping and SPACE around item is essential.When loading box with your little footballs, do not bother about up or down (top or bottom) or writing fragile as it will go all ways and no one cares. There is NO FRAGILE SERVICE. Cushion bottom, top and sides (like I mentioned -foam/styrene sheets are good but layers of scrunched newspaper OK) put pieces in and pack in between with firmly scrunched newspaper (foam chips better but OK not everyone has a snow drift of these) Really make it firm..you want zero movement Think of 3b's..if it can not budge, it can not bang and it cannot break :O)OK well I hope that helped, seriously I wish to goodness someone had told me all this when I started..really I do..I had to learn the hard way.