How We Packed and Shipped an Oribe Stone Lantern to Canada by UPS from Japan

Product Size

At a Glance

Materials Used for This Shipment

How We Packed It

1) The first layer is paper wrapping

We begin by wrapping each stone part in paper. It is a simple step, but an important one. Instead of placing bubble wrap directly on the stone, we first protect the surface with paper to reduce light rubbing and minor contact damage. Because stone products are heavy, even slight contact during transit can put stress on edges and flat surfaces. This first layer helps reduce that initial friction.

2) We add multiple layers of air-cushion wrap, especially on corners and edges

Next, we wrap each part in multiple layers of air-cushion material. The most vulnerable areas are the corners, edges, and projecting sections. With stone lanterns, force tends to concentrate on those points rather than on broad flat surfaces. If a carton is dropped or compressed, that concentrated force can easily cause chipping. So we do not just wrap each piece once. We add extra protection where the shape is more fragile and where direct impact is more likely.

3) Corrugated cardboard gives the package shape and prevents movement

Padding alone is not enough for heavy stone products. That is why we add corrugated cardboard to create structure around each part. The goal here is not softness. The goal is to create a form that does not shift during transport. The moment a heavy item starts moving inside the box, the risk level goes up sharply. That is why this step is especially important for international shipments of stone products.

4) We divided the shipment into 5 boxes to spread the weight

For this Oribe Stone Lantern, we divided the shipment into five separate boxes after considering the shape and weight balance of each part. A stone lantern may look like a single object, but in practice it is made up of different pieces, including the top, middle section, fire box, shaft, and base. If these are packed together too aggressively, the heavier pieces can press on the lighter ones, and too much weight can concentrate on the bottom of the box. So for this shipment, we prioritized keeping each carton from becoming excessively heavy and making sure each part remained stable inside its own package.

5) We reinforce the carton bottoms with hot glue and double-box when needed

With heavy stone products, the bottom of the carton becomes the weak point before the sides do. That is why we reinforce each carton bottom with hot glue to reduce the risk of sagging or bottom failure under weight. For pieces that are more vulnerable to impact, or that require thicker protection, we also use a double-box structure with an inner and outer carton. Instead of just adding more material outside, we focus first on making the inside stable. That gives better protection against breakage during transit.

6) We inspect all 5 boxes before handing them to UPS

After packing is complete, we check each carton one by one for rigidity, bottom stability, seal strength, and balance when lifted. If everything looks good, we add final reinforcement such as stretch film when needed and ship the order to Canada by UPS. With stone products, the final inspection matters. Safe packing is not determined only by the amount of material used. What matters is whether the contents remain stable and controlled all the way through the shipment.

Why We Chose 5 Boxes

The main reason we used five boxes was simple: to reduce the load on each carton while improving safety. Packing heavy stone products into fewer boxes can sometimes look more efficient from a shipping-cost standpoint. But it also increases the risk of weight concentration on the carton bottom, imbalance when lifting, impact damage if dropped, and contact between parts inside the box.

By dividing the shipment into five boxes, we can stabilize each part according to its shape and reduce movement inside the carton. Stone is strong, but it can still chip if force is applied the wrong way. For an international shipment like this Oribe Stone Lantern, we believe it is more important to prioritize the safety of each part than to force everything into fewer boxes.

FAQ

After Delivery

The shipment arrived safely in about one week, which is why we decided to document it here. This experience confirmed again that even with a heavy stone lantern, international shipping risks can be reduced by stabilizing each part, reinforcing carton bottoms, and spreading the load across five separate boxes.

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