There are two types of soap powder available in the U.S.  The dense heavy soap powder cakes together and can still damage spines if the box takes a hit on the outside; as Stanley says, the shock can transmit through the rigid material, and this includes the dense soap powder.  A lighter, less dense soap (Ivory Soap Powder) used for washing baby clothes is much more effective and does not clump together.  It is more effective in protecting the spines as a shock to the box will dissipate through the soap; and the lighter weight will save significantly on postage costs.

Another, and even more effective material for wrapping Spondylus and other spiny species such as Murex pecten is plastic dry-cleaning bags, the thin gauge plastic bags that dry cleaners use to cover cleaned garments.  The immediate advantage over soap powder is a much reduced weight and there is no need to wash the shell clean of the soap powder. It is also a good way to recycle the plastic that ends up filling out land fill dumps.

Cut the fused hanger end off the bag and open the plastic to one layer.  Loosely wrap the plastic around the shell until the spines are covered over and not poking through the plastic.  Two or three bags may be necessary to cover a large Spondylus.  The shell will be held firmly, yet will not tug on the spines.  Then a layer of 1/2" large size bubble wrap with secure the shell for shipment.  I find this method works best with Spondylus having more dense spines such as S. linguaefelis or multimuricatus.  A species like S. regius or americanus with longer more space between the spines still can benefit from being intertwined with toilet tissue between the spines to the thickness of the spines in combination with a secondary layer of the dry cleaner plastic and then bubble wrap.

Stanley's advice about the type of box and techniques for securing the shell in the box are right on the mark and will ensure a smooth trip for the shells through the shake-rock-and-roll treatment in the postal services.

Rich
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