Every item is inspected and verified to be undamaged before packaging and shipment. All items’ protective packaging is inspected and verified to be secure and meet freight carrier requirements before transport. We do our best to protect every item from damage during transit, but we cannot control or be held responsible for any rough or abusive handling by the freight carriers during transit. This is why we encourage customers to purchase insurance for each purchase. When receiving the item, the customer is encouraged to inspect the shipment carefully for damage and freight carrier abuse.
The packaging of all items is tailored to the individual item’s attributes and shipping needs. Some items are bagged, others are boxed, and still others are protected in a wood crate.
APPAREL
All apparel is carefully inspected, folded, and bagged for transit. Larger apparel orders are often bagged and/or boxed for transit, depending on the order size.
MODEL SHIPS & DÉCOR
SavyBoat.com employs three primary packaging methods for most non-apparel items. Each method is dependent on size, weight, type, and freight carrier requirements. Each method is professionally developed to provide each item with maximum protection during transport.
LESS INTRICATE AND SMALLER ITEMS
Less intricate and smaller items, such as solid airplane propellers, speed boats, small ships, cases, and tables, are packed in a box containing foam lining, a custom-fitted foam insert or filler packing, as needed. Each item is wrapped in protective bubble wrap or plastic for added protection. Please see the example below. Some models are flat-packed to reduce the box size and reduce freight costs. These items/models may require slight assembly of small details, such as a bow pulpit, mast, or flag staff (for models) or legs, supports, or uprights (for décor).
INTRICATE AND LARGER ITEMS
Most intricate and larger items, such as Tall ships, Cargo ships, Ocean Liners, Battleships, are fitted with and fixed to a wooden crate that is custom-built for each specific model. The crate is often fitted with foam inserts, ties, plastic covering, and other materials to protect the model from movement and damage during transit. The crate is combined with a fitted outer cardboard box that allows for easy removal of the crate from the box. Please see the example of a crated tall ship inside a wooden crate, below. Crates are intended to support and protect the model during transportation and ensure the model is as safe as possible if accidentally turned upside down, dropped or experiences a heavy object being placed on the shipping box.
Depending on the distance of transport and/or fragility of the item, additional boxing and other packaging may be used.
EXTRA LARGE ITEMS
Items that are dimensionally too large or too heavy for common carrier transport are shipped using an appropriate freight forwarding or truck freight service. These items (generally large museum models) are loaded into an extra-large custom-built palletized crate that employs similar packaging to that used for intricate model packaging. These crates are enclosed with an outer skin of plywood or planks and mounted/strapped to a pallet for transport.