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Ship sealed LEGO sets in their original box inside a larger box with padding on all sides, because collectors value a mint box. Ship built sets partially disassembled: break large models into sections, bag each section separately, and pad the bags so nothing shifts. Use a sturdy outer box for both.
There are really two different jobs here. A sealed set is a collectible, and its box is part of what the buyer paid for. A built set is a fragile structure that wants to come apart the first time a conveyor belt drops it. Pack for the one you have.
| Sealed set | Built set | |
|---|---|---|
| What you are protecting | The original box: collectors pay a premium for mint, uncrushed packaging | The model itself, plus loose pieces and minifigures |
| Inner approach | Tape the original box seams so it cannot burst, then place it inside a larger box | Break the model into large sections; each section goes in its own sealed bag with light padding |
| Cushioning | At least two inches of padding on all six sides; corners crush first, so protect them | Bag-and-pad: bags keep pieces together, padding keeps bags from shifting |
| Do not forget | The instruction booklet stays inside; it is part of the set's value | Minifigures in separate small bags; they scratch easily and vanish into box corners |
Never mail the retail box by itself. LEGO boxes are thin display cardboard, not shipping cartons, and one corner hit is enough to knock a collectible-grade box down to played-with condition. Tape the seams of the original box, set it inside a larger sturdy box, and fill every gap with crumpled paper or bubble wrap. The box should not move when you shake the outer carton.
Photograph the sealed box from all sides before you pack it. If the buyer claims box damage, those photos are the difference between a clean insurance claim and an argument. Keep the photos until the buyer confirms delivery.
Be honest with yourself: a fully built set almost never arrives intact. The standard method among collectors is partial disassembly. Break the model into its largest stable sections, put each section in its own zip-top bag with a little padding inside the bag, and label the bags if the set is complex. Small loose pieces go in a separate bag that you tape shut, never loose in the box where they migrate into every corner.
Two things people skip: photograph the built model from several angles before you take it apart, so the recipient can rebuild it, and keep the instruction booklet in its own flat bag rather than wedged against hard pieces. Printed pieces and stickered parts scratch when they rub against bare bricks, so bag those separately too.
For common current sets, the carrier's standard included coverage is usually enough. For sealed retired sets, which can be worth several times their original retail price, declare the real value and keep proof of it: a purchase receipt, a screenshot of the completed sale, or a sold-listing record. Insurance claims ask for two things, proof of value and proof of adequate packing, so the packing photos from the steps above matter as much as the receipt.
In Canada, a Canada Post Xpresspost label from LetterAgent covers the parcel: describe the package to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and print the label PDF. Most LEGO sets fit comfortably within the 5 kg limit.
Ready to ship it? Get a shipping label with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and get your label.
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