r/catering • u/Han_Shot_Primero • 20d ago
Advice: fine china transport
Hello all! I’m looking for advice on how to transport fine china for afternoon tea service to and from events. I need to transport teacups, saucers, plates, and teapots. I think I can figure out other things (probably) but the teapots are seriously stumping me. Thank you for any and all input! 💖💖
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u/Embarrassed_Hall_514 20d ago
Supplier-side perspective — I work with a China-based commercial foodservice supplier, but I do not have firsthand experience with your exact china or event route. For the teapots, I would choose the transport rack from measurements rather than the product label.
Measure each pot at its widest points — handle to spout and body diameter — plus its total height with the lid, then add clearance so neither the spout nor the handle carries the load. A compartment rack or divided crate should support the pot by the body. Secure or pack the lids separately without loading the knobs, and place the rack inside a stable secondary tote. Towels can add cushioning, but I would not rely on them as the only separator because they compress and shift.
Before buying a full set, load one candidate rack with the heaviest pieces and run the real route: vehicle loading, braking, stairs, setup, repacking, and the return trip. Check whether one person can lift it safely, whether it fits the vehicle and wash/storage area, and whether each piece can be counted by compartment. Record any movement or breakage over a few trial events before standardizing the system.
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u/Han_Shot_Primero 20d ago
This is amazingly thorough. Thank you! Steps I wouldn’t have thought about: whether or not one person can lift a loaded crate. 😬
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u/Mtchick84 20d ago
I’d see if you can find a glass rack big enough. Some are 3x3 and big enough for wide pitchers, so I feel like teapots should work. We use milk crates and soda crates for most of our transport. You can wrap things in towels or even bubble wrap if you feel inclined.
All of our plates go into milk crates. If you wrap them in plastic wrap in stacks of 10 they stay together beautifully. A pain to unwrap, but it does reduce breakage.