Stone Owl to the UK — How I Make International Shipping Safe and Visible

My hand-carved Stone Owl granite statue has just flown from Japan to a customer in the United Kingdom. Sending a heavy stone sculpture overseas is never as simple as putting it in a box. Weight, fragile details, and long transit routes mean that packaging must be treated as part of the product itself. This article shows exactly how I prepare and ship a Stone Owl with DHL, and how I make the whole process visible to the buyer.

Why I Photograph Every Step of the Packing Process

For every international order I carefully photograph the item and all packing stages, from bare sculpture to finished shipping box. These photos are always shared with the buyer.

• Visible safety: Overseas buyers can see the real condition of the Stone Owl before shipment and how it is protected inside the box.
• Proof of careful work: Detailed photos demonstrate that heavy stone products are packed with professional care, not just thrown into a carton.
• Evidence for carriers: In the rare case of transport damage, DHL or other international shipping companies request proof of the original packing. My photo record is ready as official evidence for any claim.

By turning the invisible part of logistics into clear images, I give the buyer peace of mind and protect the shipment at the same time.

Step 1 — Inspecting and Cleaning the Stone Owl

Before packing, I inspect the Stone Owl carefully and remove dust from the surface. At this stage I take clear photos of the sculpture from several angles. These images confirm the condition of the granite statue before shipping and are sent directly to the customer together with the tracking details.

Step 2 — Inner Protection: Air Cushions, Kraft Paper, Stretch Film

The Stone Owl is heavy, so the inner protection must absorb shocks from every direction.

• The statue is wrapped in thick bubble wrap or air cushions so that no stone is exposed.
• Next, I cover the whole piece with strong kraft paper to add another layer of cushioning and to keep the wrap tight.
• Finally, I secure everything with several layers of stretch film. This fixes the shape, protects against moisture, and prevents friction inside the box.

Each of these stages is photographed, creating a visual record of how the sculpture is protected before it even touches a carton box.

Step 3 — Double Box Method for International Shipping

For safe international delivery I always use a double box method, which is strongly recommended for heavy and fragile items.

1. The wrapped Stone Owl is placed into an inner carton that is just large enough to hold it with extra padding on all sides.
2. This inner carton is then placed in a second, outer carton. The gap between the two cartons is filled with more bubble wrap or air cushions.

This structure works like a shock absorber during long flights and truck transport. If the outer carton is hit, the inner carton and the Stone Owl still remain well protected. Of course, I also photograph the inside of both cartons before closing them.

Step 4 — Final Sealing and “Fragile” Marking

After confirming that there is no movement inside the outer carton, I seal all seams with strong packing tape. Then I wrap the entire box with stretch film to protect against humidity, dirt, and friction on conveyor belts.

A large red “FRAGILE / HANDLE WITH CARE” label is added to the top and sides of the box so that every handler can clearly see that the contents must be treated gently. The finished package is photographed from multiple angles and these images are also sent to the customer.

Step 5 — DHL Express to the United Kingdom

For this shipment I use DHL Express, which offers reliable tracking and fast transit times from Japan to the UK. As soon as DHL collects the parcel, I share the tracking number and packing photos with the buyer so they can follow the journey of their Stone Owl in real time.

• Fast delivery, usually within a few business days once dispatched
• Online tracking from pickup to final delivery
• Proper documentation for customs and insurance handled on my side

Because I keep a complete photo log of the packaging, I am always prepared to cooperate with DHL in the unlikely event of a damage investigation or insurance claim.

Making Safety and Craftsmanship Visible

Shipping a hand-carved Stone Owl across continents is a collaboration between artisan, seller, carrier, and buyer. By documenting every step with photos and sharing them directly with the customer, I transform “trust me” into “see for yourself.”

For me, safe international shipping is not only about strong boxes and high-quality tapes. It is about transparency, responsibility, and respect for the stone sculpture and for the customer who chose it. When this Stone Owl finally arrives in the United Kingdom, the buyer receives not only a beautiful granite statue but also the story of how it was protected all the way from Japan to their home.