Struggling to move large, heavy items from your factory to your customers? You’re not alone—choosing the right shipping partner can make or break your business. With so many companies promising speed and savings, how do you find one that protects your products, delivers on time, and keeps costs in check? Discover how picking the best shipping company can boost your reputation, streamline operations, and give you peace of mind.
Read on to find out which top suppliers stand out—and which are right for your business.
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Shipping large items: How to ship big packages | FedEx
Product Details:
FedEx offers shipping solutions for oversized and freight packages within the U.S., including packing tips, cost estimation tools, and convenient drop-off/pick-up options.
Technical Parameters:
– Oversize charge applies to packages with a girth of more than 130 inches.
– Freight classification: weight heavier than 150 lbs. or combined length and
– Strong, sturdy boxes and heavy-duty packing tape recommended for heavy/large
– Option to use shipment calculator for estimated shipping costs and print
Application Scenarios:
– Shipping individual oversized packages within the U.S.
– Sending freight items that exceed standard dimension or weight limits.
– Businesses or individuals needing to deliver large or heavy products safely.
– Situations requiring shipping of multiple smaller packages to reduce costs.
Pros:
– Provides clear dimensional and weight thresholds for oversized and freight
– Offers practical packing tips for protecting large items during shipment.
– Convenient online tools for cost estimation, label creation, and scheduling
– Flexibility to choose between standard, oversized, or freight shipping based on
Cons:
– Oversize and additional handling surcharges can increase shipping costs for
– May require extra effort and materials (e.g., strong boxes, heavy-duty tape) to
– Dividing shipments to avoid surcharges could result in higher total costs from
8 Best Companies for Shipping Large Items – FreightWaves
Product Details:
uShip offers an online marketplace connecting individuals and businesses to feedback-rated transporters for shipping large items, providing transparent pricing and shipment tracking from pickup to delivery.
Technical Parameters:
– Services all 50 states and international destinations
– No stated weight or fragility limits
– Average pickup within 3 days; transit time varies by distance
– Average pricing: $1.81 per mile for short hauls, $0.59 per mile for long hauls
Application Scenarios:
– Shipping oversized items, such as furniture or vehicles, across country or
– Ecommerce businesses or brick-and-mortar stores delivering large packages to
– One-off or regular shipments requiring cost-effective transport matchmaking
Pros:
– Transparent rates and tracking technology
– Ability to compare feedback-rated transporters for best value
– No strict weight or fragility limits, offering high flexibility
– Suitable for both individual and business needs
Cons:
– Shipping speed may vary depending on transporter availability and route
– Direct delivery times not guaranteed and can fluctuate based on location
Shipping Heavy Items | UPS – United States
Shipping Heavy Items and Large Packages – Parcel Monkey
Product Details:
Parcel Monkey offers an online shipping price comparison tool that allows users to get instant quotes for shipping large and heavy parcels both within the US and internationally. The platform provides access to discounted rates with leading courier services like USPS, FedEx, and UPS, as well as support for customs documentation and options for both drop-off and collection services.
Technical Parameters:
– Supports shipping parcels weighing from 1 lb up to 50 lbs (and likely higher,
– Price examples: Shipping a 50 lb parcel with USPS Ground Advantage from $44.06,
– Service coverage includes over 240 global destinations
– Customs documentation provided for international shipments
Application Scenarios:
– Domestic shipping of large or heavy parcels within the US
– International shipping of packages to over 240 countries
– Bulk shipping or booking multiple shipments
– Comparison shopping for the lowest shipping rates for heavy items
Pros:
– Enables users to compare shipping rates from multiple major couriers instantly
– Provides discounted rates with premium-brand couriers
– Easy-to-use shipping calculator with instant quotes
– Customs forms and documentation handled for international shipments
Cons:
– Shipping heavy items is inherently more expensive than sending light parcels
– Actual prices vary based on size, weight, and destination, so quotes may change
– Only as cheap as the available deals—may not always find the absolute lowest
Large Item Shipping – Compare Quotes to Ship Large Items – Shiply
Product Details:
Shiply is an online platform that connects customers who need to ship large items with transport providers, allowing users to receive and compare personalized shipping quotes for large, heavy, or awkwardly sized items. Shiply enables affordable, reliable, and convenient large-item shipping by leveraging available transport capacity through a bidding/quote comparison process.
Technical Parameters:
– Average shipping cost: approximately $1.81 per mile for short distances, $0.59
– Supports shipping for a variety of large items including furniture, vehicles,
– Discounts of up to 75% off standard shipping rates
– Utilizes a feedback and rating system to help users assess shipping providers
Application Scenarios:
– Moving or selling large household items (e.g., furniture, pianos)
– Commercial freight shipments requiring item transport across city, state, or
– Shipping vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats) and large vehicle parts
– Facilitating relocations or home moves involving heavy or oversized items
Pros:
– Potential for significant cost savings (up to 75% less than standard rates)
– Simple quote comparison process and easy-to-use online platform
– Ability to select transporters based on ratings and reviews for increased
– Eco-friendlier option by filling spare vehicle capacity and reducing
Cons:
– Cost varies depending on factors like item size, timing, pickup/destination
– Faster delivery or remote pickups may incur additional fees
– Requires preparation such as documenting, cleaning, and packing items before
Air and Motor Freight Shipping – The UPS Store
Product Details:
The UPS Store offers freight shipping services, including air and motor freight, as part of its pack and ship solutions for oversized, large, or heavy items that cannot be shipped through standard small package services.
Technical Parameters:
– Offers both air and motor freight shipping options
– Capable of handling items too large or heavy for typical parcel shipping
– Freight suitable for larger shipments, including furniture, antiques, and
– Supports both domestic and international freight shipments
Application Scenarios:
– Shipping heavy, oversized, or large items such as furniture, artwork, antiques,
– Business relocations or large merchandise deliveries
– Individuals or companies needing to ship multiple boxes or palletized goods
– Shipping items not eligible for standard package delivery
Pros:
– Convenient freight solutions through local UPS Store locations
– Multiple freight options (air and motor) to suit urgency and budget
– Expert packing services available to protect valuable or fragile items
– Can ship domestically and internationally, covering a wide service area
Cons:
– May have higher costs compared to standard parcel shipping
– Pickup or drop-off at a store may be required for some shipments
Shipping Heavy Items: Cheap & Best Carriers Compared
Product Details:
ShipBob offers fulfillment and shipping services for eCommerce businesses, specializing in the storage, packaging, and shipping of heavy and bulky items.
Technical Parameters:
– Supports shipping items over 50 lbs or over 30 inches in size
– Integrates with major eCommerce platforms
– Provides rate shopping for carriers that handle heavy items (e.g., UPS, FedEx,
– Warehousing in multiple locations for distributed inventory
Application Scenarios:
– eCommerce stores selling heavy or oversized products (e.g., gym equipment,
– Businesses needing to outsource logistics for large shipments
– Retailers requiring faster shipping zones for bulky goods
Pros:
– Leverages multiple carrier options to reduce shipping costs for heavy items
– Streamlines order fulfillment process for large and bulky products
– Helps manage logistics complexity of heavy and oversized item shipping
Cons:
– Higher shipping costs for overweight and oversized items compared to standard
– Carrier surcharges, dimensional weight pricing, and packing requirements can
Large Item Shipping Quotes | Ship Large Items with TSI
Product Details:
TSI provides professional shipping services for large items that are too big for standard parcel carriers but do not require a full truck. Services include custom packing, crating, climate-controlled transport, white glove handling, and logistics solutions for shipping various items across long distances (150+ miles). Specialty shipping is available for furniture, boxes, artwork, antiques, crates, pallets, rugs, instruments, appliances, and more.
Technical Parameters:
– Minimum shipment distance typically over 150 miles (long-distance/interstate)
– White Glove Consolidated and Full Service Expedited shipping options
– Custom crating, climate-controlled trucks, air-ride suspension available
– Shipment cost based on item size, weight, special requirements, and distance
Application Scenarios:
– Shipping large or heavy household items (furniture, appliances) across states
– Moving antiques, artwork, or fragile valuables that require professional packing
– Consolidated shipments from multiple origins to a single destination, or vice
– Palletized or crated shipments (e.g., bulk boxes, commercial goods)
Pros:
– Nationwide network with expert logistics and professional packing services
– Specialized handling for fragile or valuable items (e.g., custom crating, white
– No hidden fees when accurate information is provided
– Flexible shipping options including economy and expedited/white glove
Cons:
– Lowest-cost options may require customer to pack items and coordinate curbside
– Service may not be cost-effective for short distances or very small shipments
– Pricing and available services depend on accurate item details and may vary by
Shipping Large Items: How To Ship Bulky Packages – Shopify
Product Details:
Shopify provides guidance and solutions for shipping large, bulky, or oversized items through its ecommerce platform, offering integrations with shipping carriers and logistics apps.
Technical Parameters:
– Supports integration with third-party logistics (3PL) providers and freight
– Allows use of shipping apps for real-time shipping rates and bulk label printing
– Handles items exceeding standard postal limitations (often over 150 lbs or with
Application Scenarios:
– Ecommerce merchants selling furniture, gym equipment, appliances, or other
– Businesses needing to manage freight shipping for heavy or bulky inventory
– Online stores looking to streamline complex shipping logistics for large goods
Pros:
– Streamlines logistics management for large or heavy products
– Access to discounted freight rates through integrated carriers and apps
– Facilitates calculation of real-time shipping rates at checkout
Cons:
– Shipping large items can result in high shipping costs for merchants and
– Managing returns or damages is more complicated and expensive for oversized
Shipping Big Items Made Easy With Roadie | Roadie
Product Details:
Roadie offers a national same-day and next-day delivery network for big, bulky, and oversized items, providing flexible, scalable delivery solutions for large or irregularly-sized goods.
Technical Parameters:
– Handles items up to 300 lbs and 60” in length, width, or height
– Coverage in over 20,000 U.S. zip codes
– Same-day, scheduled, and next-day delivery services
– Real-time tracking, photo confirmations, and signature capture
Application Scenarios:
– Delivering furniture, mattresses, and appliances to residential or business
– Retailers and e-commerce businesses needing last-mile delivery for large items
– Transportation of oversized goods that do not fit standard parcel networks
– In-home delivery for items that require two-person handling
Pros:
– Nationwide coverage with flexible delivery options
– Ability to handle large, heavy, and irregularly shaped items
– Real-time tracking and delivery confirmation features
– Can scale quickly to meet customer demand, including surge periods
Cons:
– May not support extremely specialized freight or highly time-sensitive medical
– Dependent on available driver network, which could affect rural area coverage
Comparison Table
| Company | Product Details | Pros | Cons | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shipping large items: How to ship big packages | FedEx | FedEx offers shipping solutions for oversized and freight packages within the U | Provides clear dimensional and weight thresholds for oversized and freight | Oversize and additional handling surcharges can increase shipping costs for |
| 8 Best Companies for Shipping Large Items – FreightWaves | uShip offers an online marketplace connecting individuals and businesses to | Transparent rates and tracking technology Ability to compare feedback-rated | Shipping speed may vary depending on transporter availability and route Direct | ratings.freightwaves.com |
| Shipping Heavy Items | UPS – United States | |||
| Shipping Heavy Items and Large Packages – Parcel Monkey | Parcel Monkey offers an online shipping price comparison tool that allows users | Enables users to compare shipping rates from multiple major couriers | Shipping heavy items is inherently more expensive than sending light | www.parcelmonkey.com |
| Large Item Shipping – Compare Quotes to Ship Large Items – Shiply | Shiply is an online platform that connects customers who need to ship large | Potential for significant cost savings (up to 75% less than standard | Cost varies depending on factors like item size, timing, pickup/destination | www.shiply.com |
| Air and Motor Freight Shipping – The UPS Store | The UPS Store offers freight shipping services, including air and motor freight | Convenient freight solutions through local UPS Store locations Multiple freight | May have higher costs compared to standard parcel shipping Pickup or drop-off | www.theupsstore.com |
| Shipping Heavy Items: Cheap & Best Carriers Compared | ShipBob offers fulfillment and shipping services for eCommerce businesses, | Leverages multiple carrier options to reduce shipping costs for heavy | Higher shipping costs for overweight and oversized items compared to standard | www.shipbob.com |
| Large Item Shipping Quotes | Ship Large Items with TSI | TSI provides professional shipping services for large items that are too big | Nationwide network with expert logistics and professional packing | Lowest-cost options may require customer to pack items and coordinate curbside |
| Shipping Large Items: How To Ship Bulky Packages – Shopify | Shopify provides guidance and solutions for shipping large, bulky, or oversized | Streamlines logistics management for large or heavy products Access to | Shipping large items can result in high shipping costs for merchants and | www.shopify.com |
| Shipping Big Items Made Easy With Roadie | Roadie | Roadie offers a national same-day and next-day delivery network for big, bulky, | Nationwide coverage with flexible delivery options Ability to handle large, | May not support extremely specialized freight or highly time-sensitive medical |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I find reliable shipping companies for large items?
Start by researching shipping companies that specialize in transporting large or bulky items. Check online directories, industry forums, and recommendations from other manufacturers. Always look for companies with positive customer reviews, a strong safety record, and proven experience in handling shipments of your size and type.
What factors should I consider when choosing a shipping company?
Consider the company’s experience with large shipments, their equipment, service coverage area, insurance and liability policies, pricing, and customer service reputation. It’s also important to ensure they have the required certifications and can meet your specific deadlines.
How can I ensure my large items will be transported safely?
Ask potential shipping companies about their packaging, handling, and loading procedures. Choose a company that offers comprehensive insurance and has a track record of safe transport for goods similar to yours. Good communication and clear documentation also help guarantee safe arrival.
Are there special permits or documentation required for large shipments?
Yes, oversized or heavy shipments often require special permits and documentation, especially for interstate or international transport. Reputable shipping companies can guide you through these requirements and manage the paperwork to ensure your items are shipped legally and efficiently.
How do shipping costs for large items get calculated?
Shipping costs are typically based on the size, weight, distance, required handling, and any special requirements (like temperature control or expedited service). Get detailed quotes from several companies and make sure you understand what’s included in each quote to avoid hidden fees.
