What to Do When Shipping Large and Heavy Items?

Whether you’re dealing with oversized furniture, heavy machinery, or bulky products, what can you do when faced with high shipping costs, damage during shipping, and complex logistics? How to effectively ship large items is essential to maintaining profitability and ensuring customer satisfaction?

In this blog post, we’ll address these pain points and provide effective shipping strategies for shipping large items.

Common Pain Points of Shipping Large Items

Many sellers worry that the shipping costs of shipping large or heavy items will be too high, which will greatly reduce their profits. Or they need to bear the risk of damage. Heavy items are more likely to be damaged during shipping, leading to customer complaints and returns.

Complex logistics, especially when size and weight restrictions vary, can make coordinating the shipping and delivery of large items time-consuming and complicated.

How to effectively ship large items?

Choose the right carrier

Freight vs. Parcel Shipping: Understand the difference between freight and parcel shipping. Items that weigh more than 150 pounds or exceed a certain size usually require freight services. Choose a carrier that specializes in shipping large items and has experience handling oversized shipments.

Use Heavy-Duty Packaging

Protect your items with sturdy packaging materials. Use strong boxes, reinforced tape, and appropriate padding to prevent damage during shipping. Be sure to choose boxes that fit your items properly to minimize movement.

Consider Less-Than-Truckload Shipping

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping allows you to share truck space with other freight, significantly reducing costs compared to full truckload options. This is ideal for businesses that need to ship large items but are not large enough to fill an entire truck.

Calculate Shipping Costs Accurately

A 3PL can provide expertise in shipping large items, negotiate favorable rates, and manage the entire logistics process. Use online calculators provided by carriers or third-party platforms to estimate shipping costs based on weight, size, and distance. This will help you budget more effectively and avoid unexpected costs.

Large Item Shipping Services

FedEx Freight

For heavier shipments that exceed standard package limits.

UPS Freight

Offers a variety of options tailored for large shipments, including LTL services.

Third-Party Fulfillment Services

Working with a third-party logistics provider can streamline your shipping process by managing everything from warehousing to delivery.

How can you ensure that your large items arrive in one piece? 

1. Use heavy-duty packaging materials

Choosing the right packaging is essential to protecting large items during shipping. Use sturdy materials such as:

Corrugated cardboard boxes: Make sure they are double-layered for added strength.

Reinforcement tape: Use H-tape to secure all seams with heavy-duty tape to prevent the box from opening.

This method minimizes the risk of damage from impact or rough handling.

2. Add enough cushioning

Cushioning materials are essential to absorb shock and prevent movement within the package. Consider using:

Bubble wrap: Wrap items individually with multiple layers of bubble wrap.

Foam inserts: Molded foam provides excellent protection for heavy items.

Styrofoam or air cushions: Fill any gaps in the box to prevent movement during shipping.

Make sure the cushioning reaches the corners of the box, as these areas are particularly susceptible to damage.

3. Choose the right size box

Choosing the right size box is essential. A box that is too large will allow items to move around, while a box that is too small may not provide enough cushioning. Try to choose a box that fits tightly, leaving at least a few inches of cushioning on all sides.

4. Securely seal your package

Proper sealing is essential to prevent your package from opening during shipping. Use multiple layers of tape on all seams and edges to ensure that every part of the box is securely closed.

5. Clearly label your package

Clear labeling helps ensure that your package is handled correctly throughout the shipping process. Include:

Recipient address

Any special handling instructions (such as "fragile" or "this side up")

Tracking information

This reduces the risk of mishandling and delays due to labeling errors.

6. Consider insurance options

For high-value or fragile items, purchasing shipping insurance can provide peace of mind. This can act as a financial safety net if your shipment is damaged or lost during shipping.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage when shipping large items. Proper packaging, cushioning, and labeling are important components of a successful shipping strategy that protects your products and ensures customer satisfaction.

Work with Shopv to Ship Large Items

Global Network: We have a large network of carriers and partners to ensure efficient and reliable shipping.

International Shipping Expertise: Our team excels in handling complex international logistics, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing costs.

Customized solutions: Whether you are sending bulk shipments or a single order, we can customize shipping solutions to your specific needs.

Cost reduction strategies: By leveraging our established relationships with carriers and understanding market dynamics, we can help you find the most economical options for shipping heavy items.

End-to-end solutions: From packaging to delivery, we provide comprehensive services for a seamless experience.

On the journey of large and heavy goods delivery, Shopv is willing to be your most solid backing. Whether you are a B2B enterprise or an e-commerce seller, as long as you have large and heavy goods transportation needs, please feel free to contact us.