How to Safely Move Collectibles and Memorabilia

Collecting is a popular pastime. Nearly two-thirds of Americans describe themselves as collectors, normally focusing on one or two favorite items such as coins, toys, records, jewelry, or trading cards. Most collectors accumulate items not only because they’re passionate about them, but also because they expect their collection will grow in value. Indeed, some personal collections are worth a substantial amount of money. To preserve your investment, we’ll explain how to safely move collectibles and memorabilia – sharing the best tips and strategies we’ve developed over the years as one of America’s most trusted moving companies.

Gather Your Moving Supplies

Collectibles and memorabilia are often delicate and can be difficult, if not impossible, to replace. Professional movers understand this and offer a number of packaging materials designed to keep your valuables safe during transport. These include:

Corrugated Moving Boxes. Ordinary boxes are made from a single sheet of cardboard. Professional moving boxes, on the other hand, are made from three: two sheets of standard cardboard with a layer of fluted cardboard between them for added strength and durability.
Acid-Free Packing Paper. Standard tissue paper contains sulphur and lignin, which are slightly corrosive and can damage sensitive items over time. Acid-free tissue paper uses alkalines like calcium carbonate to neutralize caustic substances, so they won’t harm your belongings.
Bubble Wrap. Its flexible structure allows it to protect nearly any item, regardless of shape. When wrapped around objects, it absorbs bumps, jolts, and vibrations, preventing damage from every angle.
Packing Peanuts. These not only soften impact, they prevent objects from shifting during transit. In many cases, a box’s contents aren’t damaged by falls, but when they collide with other items packed alongside them.
Packing Tape. Adding a double layer of tape to the top and bottom seams of your boxes keeps the contents from spilling out. It can also be used to seal the edges, if you’re worried about water damage.
Plastic Liners. Provide a waterproof barrier that keeps your valuables dry in wet, humid environments. They’re especially useful in winter, spring, or autumn, when there’s a high chance of snow and rain.

When purchasing boxes, focus on small ones rather than large ones. They’re easier to handle, limit internal movement, and are less likely to rip due to overloading.

Follow Safe Packing Techniques

No matter how tough your collectibles and memorabilia are, boxing them up without any padding or protection significantly increases the risk of damage. To safeguard your valuables:

Add a layer of bubble wrap or packing peanuts to the bottom of each box for cushioning. If you’re running low, use towels instead.
Wrap each item individually before boxing it up. Packing paper will protect your items from scuffs, while bubble wrap will shield them from impact. Always make sure the bubbles are facing out.
Fill empty space between objects with packing peanuts.
Leave 1-2 inches at the top of each box, so you can add another layer of bubble wrap or packing peanuts for additional cushioning.
Seal the top and bottom seams with two layers of tape. Make sure the tape extends halfway up each side. This anchors the tape and minimizes the risk of the box bursting open.
Write “FRAGILE” in clear letters on every side of the container, so your movers know it contains delicate items.

While movers do their best to protect your belongings during a long-distance move, moving trucks are not always the best environment for collectibles. If your collection is small enough, consider transporting it in your personal vehicle rather than a moving van. If it’s too large, choose a few of the most valuable or delicate items to keep with you for safekeeping.

Tips for Specific Items

While following the guidelines above will protect most items, some collectibles benefit from extra care. Here is our advice for preparing:

Sculptures and Figurines. Wrap them in packing paper, then cover them with bubble wrap. You may need to cut the bubble wrap into smaller pieces to cover the item entirely. If your plastic figurines aren’t in their original boxes, place them in a resealable plastic bag after wrapping them up.
Coins and Cards. Purchase plastic sleeves from a hobby shop or comic book store. They’re also available online. Coin collectors should consider buying anti-tarnish strips as well. Store the sleeves in binders once you’ve filled them up.
Framed Artwork. Buy a picture box, a telescoping container designed to fit snugly around picture and poster frames. You should also consider purchasing corner protectors, which reinforce the most vulnerable parts of the frame.
Vinyl Records. Stack them upright in LP storage boxes. Since they’re sensitive to heat, transport them in your car rather than a moving van, since cargo trailers aren’t air conditioned.
Rare Books. Wrap each one in packing paper. Then place them upright in the box with their spines aligned. Placing them flat can warp their covers. Add silica gel packs to absorb moisture. Don’t wrap them in plastic, since it traps condensation.
Sneakers. Clean and dry them before packing. Stuff them with packing paper to help them retain their shape, then wrap them in packing paper or bubble wrap to prevent scuffing. Place them in individual shoe boxes if you can. Otherwise, place them in small to medium boxes with the heaviest shoes on the bottom.

If you’re uncertain how to pack a specific item, consult a professional. White glove moving services have experience handling fragile, expensive, and sensitive objects and can help prepare your collection for its journey to your new home.

Purchase Supplemental Insurance

Basic movers insurance, also known as Basic Liability Coverage, compensates customers for lost or damaged items at a rate of sixty cents per pound. In other words, if your movers misplace a 100-pound sofa, you’re only entitled to $60. Homeowners who don’t consider this adequate protection often buy additional coverage for their belongings, either from their moving company or a third party.

Because their collections are so highly valued, many collectors benefit from additional insurance as well. Contact your moving company to ask about supplemental coverage or reach out to insurance providers that specialize in interstate and international relocations. Third-party insurance normally charges 1.5-2.5 percent of the total declared value of your belongings ‒ a small price to pay for security and peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Even if you don’t regard it as a collectible or memorabilia, anything you own that’s brittle, signed, vintage, discontinued, or irreplaceable needs extra protection and more padding isn’t always the answer. These types of items also require:

Smaller Boxes. Small boxes are light, even when fully packed, which limits force of impact if dropped. They’re also easier to carry, which lowers the risk of mishandling.
Tight Packs. Filling empty space in your boxes prevents items from rattling around and banging into one another. It’s one of the main sources of chips, cracks, and breakage.
Clear Handling Instructions. Labeling boxes helps ensure they’re lifted, stacked, and stored correctly during the relocation process.
Insulation. Extreme temperature swings cause materials to expand or contract rapidly, increasing the chance of warping, splitting, or cracking. Padding helps, but anything sensitive to heat and cold needs to be transported in a climate-controlled vehicle.

Collections are more than just accumulations of stuff. They’re an investment representing years of hard work, discovery, and passion. Relocating them can be a challenge, but with time, effort, and the right supplies, you can ensure they’re delivered safely to your new home.

North American Household Moving Services

North American Van Lines provides personalized relocation services. From planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery, we tailor our support to your needs, schedule, and budget. Whether you’re transporting a valuable collection or simple household goods, we’re here to help every step of the way. Contact us today for a free quote!