Ecommerce is an essential component of almost any retail sector. Even if you have physical stores, providing your customers with an online alternative will boost sales. Small boxes and packages are easy to mail or ship—in most cases, you can quickly drop them off at your nearest post office or courier. Oversized box shipping, on the other hand, is a little more complicated.

There are many problems associated with such massive and heavy-weight shipping. To name a few, complex weighing and calculating the estimated shipping cost, packing, physical removal of the product from the factory, and the lengthy transit period to the customer’s doorstep.

However, suppose your eCommerce company deals with heavy-weight and bulky packages. In that case, you should not be discouraged from delivering goods to customers on time or expanding your business into new markets by using pallet delivery. You must determine the best shipping option for your company to alleviate the pain by not breaking the bank.

As an eCommerce merchant, you should be aware that making these types of shipments does not have to cost a lot. If you’re shipping across the country or the border, this article will share the easiest way to ship oversized packages. You’ll learn how to dispatch bulky items at a discount using trustworthy couriers such as USPS, UPS, and DHL and FedEx.

What Is Considered A Heavy Item?

Before you can decide the right way to ship heavy items, you must first understand what courier companies perceive to be heavy objects. Various couriers have different requirements for heavy-weight shipments. We’ll share with you a brief rundown of UPS, USPS, DHL, and FedEx.

USPS

If your box is longer than 108 inches or has a total length and girth of fewer than 130 inches, USPS will charge you a regular Parcel Select oversize fee. The majority of USPS programs have a weight limit of 70 lbs.

Things that are heavier or larger than the average oversized rate can incur very high costs, and you will need to negotiate a special rate with USPS.

UPS

UPS can ship large and heavy goods, but the minimum billable weight is 90 pounds, and large packages with lengths exceeding 96 inches or 130 inches combined would incur an additional charge.

Any package weighing more than 150 pounds, measuring more than 108 inches in length, or measuring more than 165 inches in length and girth combined exceeds UPS’s overweight limits and must be shipped via UPS’ freight service.

FedEx

If your package is more significant than 96 inches or 130 inches total, it is considered an overweight package by FedEx. You’ll still have to deal with a minimum billable weight of 90 pounds. The oversize fee is $90 per package, with an additional oversize peak surcharge of $37.50 per package during peak annual shipping periods.

Cheapest Ways To Ship Heavy Boxes

There are numerous ways of reducing shipping costs if the goods are large. You would almost definitely want to prefer ground delivery over air delivery. On packages weighing up to 70 pounds, USPS Parcel Select provides competitive commercial shipping rates. FedEx Ground also offers retail discounts with a weight limit of 70 pounds.

UPS Ground is an option for even heavier objects. The service accepts packages weighing up to 150 pounds. FedEx Freight can save you money on shipping for vast and bulky items such as furniture.

Heavy items must be shipped in more robust cardboard boxes to ensure their safety in transit. This can result in extra weight and expense. Palletizing and delivering goods in bulk to a pickup place will help you save money. This could be at your physical store or a third-party receiving venue. Give your customers a discount for completing the last mile to their homes. Shipping costs can be reduced for both you and your customers.

Negotiated shipping rates are essential for commercially shipping big or heavy boxes. Check with your eCommerce delivery partner if your company does not have enough volume to apply for discounted rates. Some distribution firms, such as Red Stag Fulfillment, have volume delivery deals with large carriers to carry on to their customers.

What To Do Before Shipping Large And Heavy Items

Things that are lost or destroyed are the worst-case scenario, but they are unavoidable. So, how do you reduce the risk while also lowering the replacement product and shipping cost? Shipping insurance. It’s not that costly when you consider the benefits, and it’s well worth it if you ship a lot of goods.

TRACK IT

Remember the last time you ordered something online, and it didn’t come with order tracking? It’s been a while, I’m sure. The bottom line is that when consumers demand a certain level of service, it is your responsibility to provide it. Aside from the fact that it is planned, it fosters confidence and generates a higher perceived value — plus, you can monitor all of your shipments.

CONFIRM IT

Delivery verification is essential for tracking the package and assisting you with your insurance claim — it’s a win-win situation. When the product is shipped, you will be notified (as will your clients), and you will use the details not just for their advantage but also to support you if the package is lost.

Conclusion

Shipping large products are often more complex than shipping small and light ones. Accounting for all of the various factors and fees added on, from weight limitations to dimensional weight, may be difficult, but hopefully, this article has helped guide you. Working with professionals is one of the easiest ways to ship heavy and oversized packages at a low cost. Inquire about a distribution company’s experience dealing with large boxes when selecting one.

Shipping costs will eat away at your earnings, whether you’re a small business or a multi-chain corporation. Shipping prices fluctuate and can easily affect your bottom line if you don’t keep an eye on them, so it’s always worthwhile to do your homework to determine which carrier will be the best match for your business.