Do you regularly need to ship large boxes? Or is this the first time you have to do it and you’re looking for tips? We’ve all sent small packages and that is fairly simple and straightforward to do. Just put the item inside the box, wrap it up, close up the box and drop it off at your local post office or courier office. Then, voila! Your package is on the way.
When you ship large and heavy boxes, it becomes a little more complicated. Most courier companies have strict weight and size limits, making sending large boxes a challenge. Add in having to send the boxes large distances and things can quickly add up price-wise.
The following are seven ways on how to ship large boxes, which will hopefully make the process a little easier for you going forward.
1. Measure the Boxes
Before you ship large boxes, make sure you measure your box before you drop it off at the post office or courier office. Knowing exactly the size and weight of your shipping boxes will help you figure out the best option. Here’s how to measure the large boxes for shipping:
- Measure the length (longest side)
- Measure the girth (thickest part)
- Length + girth = total size of the box
Having this information handy will make sure the worker at the postal or courier office gets the measurements right and doesn’t over-charge you. Knowledge is power!
2. Be Aware of Dimensional Weight
If you’re planning on using a courier service to ship large boxes, you’ll need to be aware of dimensional weight. This measurement more accurately reflects the density of your shipment.
In other words, dimensional weight means the amount of space your box takes up in relation to its actual weight. This is important because shipment pricing is frequently determined not only on how much your package weighs but also on the amount of space they take up in the truck. This is something that may never have crossed your mind before.
3. Get Multiple Shipping Quotes
Before choosing a courier company to make your deliveries (if you chose to go that route) we recommend doing your research. Spend some time getting quotes from all of the popular courier companies. This will take some time but could save you loads of money in the long run so it’s definitely something to consider if you plan to ship large boxes frequently.
4. Courier Shipping
Now that you have the total size of your box, are aware of dimensional weight, and have many quotes in hand, you can bring it to your local courier office like FedEx, DHL or UPS (depending which one offers you the best quote). As a good rule of thumb to remember, most of these couriers will accept packages that weigh up to 150 lbs, measure up to 108” long, or are 165” in combined length and girth. If you have an oversized package, you will likely need to pay additional charges, so be prepared for that.
If you need to ship the large boxes as soon as possible, you may need to opt for express delivery. Keep in mind that these types of deliveries also come with extra costs.
5. Rent a Truck and Move the Boxes Yourself
Of course, this option is not always feasible. But if the boxes don’t need to go terribly far, or you have many boxes that need shipping, and you have the time, this may be the option for you. All you would need to do is rent a truck or van from a local truck rental company like U-Haul, load the boxes on yourself, drive them to their destination, and unload them. Usually, renting trucks is quite affordable and may save you big bucks if you need to ship large, heavy boxes regularly.
6. Consolidated Freight
With consolidated freight, you can combine multiple shipments from different shippers in one truck that is heading to the same destination. A large bonus of this type of transportation method is that it allows the shipper to take advantage of preferred shipping rates. It also optimizes supply chain logistics by both reducing costs and saving time (not to mention it’s better for the environment!). It’s a win-win for everyone!
7. Hire Movers to Help You Move
Moving away from shipping boxes for commercial reasons, you may also need to ship large, heavy boxes for personal reasons like if you’re moving from one house to another. One of the best ways to do this is to hire movers to move the boxes for you. If you’d rather go with a cheaper option, see if your friends and family are willing to help you move your stuff. You’ll most likely need to rent a truck for this option as well, but as we mentioned in point #5, renting a truck can be very affordable.
We hope these seven ways to ship large boxes will help you navigate this sometimes challenging scenario and find a solution that works best for you.
