How to ship · household
How to ship a mirror
Mirrors are among the most commonly broken shipments. The trick is a rigid box plus foam-board on both faces, plus corner protectors. Never use just bubble wrap against glass.
- Typical weight
- Small wall mirror: 2-5 lb, Full-length: 10-25 lb, Vanity: 15-40 lb
- Rate band tracked
- 5 lb
- Cheapest option
- UPS Ground with heavy-duty padding
Live rates
What it costs to ship a mirror, right now
A 5 lb parcel from New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA. Actual cost for your mirror varies by ±10-30% with its specific weight and destination zone.
- 01
Ground FedEx 4d $23.33 +$14.15 - 02
Ground Saver UPS 5d $9.18 cheapest - 03
Ground Advantage USPS 5d $9.65 +$0.47
Close call Only $0.47 (5%) separates the cheapest from the runner-up. Free USPS home pickup or a closer drop-off can erase this gap. Pick by convenience, not price, at this margin.
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Before you pack
The box and materials
Box
Double-wall corrugated, heavier than normal
4 in larger than the mirror on each side
Mirror-specific shipping boxes from U-Haul or glass suppliers include foam inserts.
Checklist
- Double-wall box
- Foam-board (1/2 in, both faces)
- Bubble wrap
- Corner protectors
- Packing tape
- Fragile labels and This Side Up stickers
The process
Pack a mirror in 5 steps
01 of 05
Wrap face in a soft cloth
Old t-shirt or a large piece of fleece. Directly against the mirror glass.
02 of 05
Add foam-board on both faces
Cut foam-board to exact dimensions. One piece each side of the mirror.
03 of 05
Wrap the whole assembly in bubble
Two full layers. More if the mirror is ornate.
04 of 05
Corner protectors
Cardboard protectors on all four corners.
05 of 05
Box with 4 in clearance and fill
Box 4 in bigger per dimension. Fill with foam-board scraps or loose-fill foam around the mirror.
Carrier notes
Which carrier to use
USPS
Ground Advantage up to 70 lb. Smaller mirrors fit easily.
UPS
Ground with This Side Up. Stand up in transit.
FedEx
Home Delivery; ask for fragile handling at drop-off.
Insurance + declared value
Protecting the package
Insure for full replacement. Mirror glass is relatively cheap to replace; antique frames are not. Declare based on frame value.
Specialty shippers are usually not worth it here.
Parcel carriers handle mirrors fine if packed correctly. Specialty shippers for $500+ antique mirrors only.
FAQ
Common questions
Q01 Should I remove the mirror from the frame before shipping?
No. Ship as-is. Disassembly risks more damage than it prevents.
Q02 What if the mirror does not stand vertical?
Circular or oval mirrors ship fine laid flat, with double-padding on both faces.
Q03 What about bathroom-vanity mirrors with built-in lights?
Drain any liquid from the lighting assembly. Tape down all movable parts. Pack separately if possible.