Moving house with a figurine collection

A figurine is light and rigid, which means it does not cushion anything and does not need much cushioning itself. What it needs is separation, because the damage in a moving box comes from pieces grinding against each other.

The method

• Wrap each piece in a single sheet of tissue or newspaper. One layer is enough; the point is separation, not shock absorption.
• Pack in a small box, not a large one. A box that is light enough to lift with one hand will not be dropped.
• Fill the gaps. Small boxes with empty space let pieces slide, which defeats the wrapping.
• Label it. A box marked figurines gets handled differently than a box marked books.

What not to do

Do not use a vacuum bag, and do not leave pieces loose in a box with anything metal. Do not pack them in a car trunk in July, where heat alone will soften thin parts even without any impact.

Pack small and pack separated. Everything else is detail.

For the pieces you care about most, carry them yourself in a shoebox. It is the one category of object where the personal carry is genuinely worth it.