Shipping heavy items can be a challenging task because you have to go beyond the standard packaging and shipping to ensure that the packages are delivered securely to the customers. Understanding the right techniques, packaging material, and carrier options when it comes to shipping heavy items is very important. Improper handling of heavy items can cause severe damage and high shipping costs, which will also affect the business.
If you’re someone who wants to know how to ship heavy items securely while reducing the shipping cost, then look no further. In this article, we have mentioned everything that you need to know when it comes to how to ship heavy items. So let’s jump right into the article and have a look at it so that you can ship heavy items with confidence.
Heavy Items and Freight Definition
Heavy items generally refer to the packages that exceed the standard weight limits of the regular parcel services. Generally, if an item weighs more than 70 LBS or 32 kg, it is considered a heavy item. Machinery, appliances, building materials, and bulk product shipment, I consider it a heavy shipment. Due to the size and increased weight of this heavy item, it requires special handling, packaging, and transportation methods.
When you need to ship a heavy item, you need to find a special way to do it. Parcel delivery for heavy items falls under the category of freight shipping. Freight shipping refers to the transportation of goods through train, ship, air cargo, or even truck in large quantities or oversized dimensions. Shipping heavy items, via freight can be quite cost-effective for bulk transportation. However, it is important to know that it involves logistic planning, proper documentation, and coordination with the carrier to ensure smooth delivery and handling of the large items.
Tips for Shipping Heavy Items
If you are wondering how to ship heavy items, then below we have mentioned some tips through which you can make the entire process much easier for yourself.
Heavy Duty Packaging
First, ensure that you have all the materials that are needed to pack a heavy item. Try to use packaging that will properly protect the package and is not susceptible to breaking. Get boxes that are stapled so that the seams are properly sealed during shipment.
Choose a Carrier
It is important to pick the right carrier to ship the large and heavy items. Opt for someone who has experience in shipping heavy items and knows how to protect them properly during shipment. Also, ensure that they have good customer reviews so that your customers can get the products on time and securely.
Get Insurance
Lost and damaged items can be a worst-case scenario for a company. This is why, to reduce the risk and also lower the amount that you have to pay for the replacement of the product and shipment, getting an insurance can be quite beneficial. Shipping insurance is not that expensive and has a lot of benefits, especially if you have a high volume of shipment products.
Split the Shipment
When the shipments become too heavy or large, it is often beneficial to split the shipment. Sometimes it can divide the weight and reduce the price when you are trying to ship it in one package. This can be an issue when the package is over the limit, and then you have to split the package to keep it under the weight.
What to Consider When Shipping Heavy Items
The following are a few things that you must consider when it comes to shipping heavy items.
Dimensional Weight
This is a new concept in which the carriers are using dimensional weight because the shipping companies were losing money on large but extremely light items. This means that, based on the volumetric space of the packages and the density, the amount for the shipment will be calculated.
Fragile Items
Another thing is that if the item is delicate and it needs a little extra care, it is important to choose a carrier that prides itself on taking care of fragile shipments. Choose OK, dear, that focuses on handling and taking care of the parcel instead of faster transit times.
Origin and Destination of the Package
When it comes to the shipment and the cost, it also depends on the origin and destination of the package. Therefore, it is important to know that if the destination is further away from the origin, then there will be a higher cost of shipping.
Carrier Rule’s
Each carrier has its role, and it highly influences the cost based on what you are shipping. Therefore, it is important to learn the rules so that you can ship the parcels accordingly and avoid any hidden fees.
Type of Service
It is also important to consider the type of service you want. This means if you’re going national shipping, next to delivery or overnight, all of this will play an important role in the pricing, and also picking the right carrier for yourself.
How to Calculate the Shipping Fee for Heavy Items
Now you might be wondering how to calculate the shipping fee for the heavy items. There are a lot of different factors that are involved when it comes to the calculation of heavy items, such as weight, dimension, shipping distance, speed, and even the carrier rates. Most of the carriers are now using dimensional weight, which is a better way to determine the cost. Another factor that plays an important role is the freight class.
There are a lot of companies that are offering online calculators, such as USPS, FedEx, DHL, and UPS. Hence, you can use all these calculators, add the dimensional weight and other important information to get an estimate of the shipping fees for the heavy items that you want to ship.
Cheapest Way to Ship Heavy Items
| Carrier | Service Type | Weight | Delivery Speed | Best For |
| UPS Ground | Ground, Parcel, Shipping | Up to 150 lbs | 1-5 business days | Domestic and heavy packages |
| FedEx Ground | Ground, Parcel, Shipping | Up to 150 lbs | 1-5 business days | Business-to-business (B2B) shipping |
| USPS Retail Ground | Ground, Parcel, | Up to 70 lbs | 2-8 business days | Cost effective shipment for lighter and heavy items |
| DHL E-Commerce | Intl. & domestic express | Up to 150 lbs | 2-4 business days | International heavy packages |
| FedEx Freight | Shipping | 150+ lbs | 1-7 business days | Large, palletized, or commercial freight |
How to Ship Heavy Items over 70 Pounds?
Now you might be wondering how to ship heavy items that are above 70 pounds, and what are the cheapest ways to ship heavy items. Below, we have mentioned a few options that you can consider.
UPS
If you want to ship items that are over 70 lbs but under 150 lbs, then UPS might be a good option for you. UPS requires that the package that you want to ship meet their guidelines and that the box have a heavy package sticker with the weight of the package written on it. However, if the package is weighed over 150 lbs, then UPS Take Pride might be a good option for you. They have their pricing and regulations, which you need to know before going for this service.
FedEx
FedEx is another company that is offering the service to ship items that are over 70 lbs but are over 150 lbs. For this, you can use the FedEx Ground service, which requires safety labels so that they can get shipped directly from FedEx. If you want to ship items that are over 150 lbs, then you can use the FedEx Freight service.
USPS
If the items are around 70 lbs then USPS can also be a candidate however it is important to know that they are not suitable for items over the limit of 70 lbs. this option is not as great as UPS or FedEx so make sure you check them out first when it comes to how to ship heavy items.
Is Shipping Heavy Items from China to the USA Feasible?
If shipping heavy items from China to the US is feasible, then the answer is yes. A lot of businesses send their products from China to the USA very easily. A lot of companies work in bulk products such as machinery and raw materials that are shipped from China to the USA. This can be quite cost-effective, and the robust manufacturing of China offers the companies much more beneficial products. However, it is important to know that shipping heavy goods internationally needs proper planning, documentation, and choosing the right logistics method.
There are two common types of shipping methods through which a lot of shipments from China to the USA are made. Sea freight and air freight are two common methods that are cost-effective when it comes to heavy or bulk shipments. The transit times of sea freight can be about 20 to 40 days longer, but the price per kilogram is much lower. However, if you want much quicker deliveries, then air freight is the option, as it can typically take 3 to 7 days for your item to be delivered.
It is very important to work with a reliable freight forwarder or a logistics company in China. They can handle all the customs clearance, the documentation tracking, and even the packaging of the products to make the entire process much smoother. Hence, shipping heavy items from China to the USA is very practical and economical, and it is very common nowadays.
Shipping Heavy Items from China Directly with NextSmartShip
Now that you know how to ship heavy items, we have another smart solution for you. NextSmartShip is an amazing solution that will streamline your operation and even deal with shipping heavy items directly from China to global destinations.
They specialize in e-commerce fulfillment and international logistics, which means they can handle the packaging, order picking, shipping, and even inventory management. Another great thing about this company is that they offer cost-effective methods to ship the heavy items to ensure that the customers get their orders on time. NextSmartShip is a flexible and reliable service that is an ideal option for businesses to manage heavy shipments from China efficiently.
Conclusion
A lot of businesses wonder how to ship heavy items, but now shipping heavy and large packages is much more manageable and efficient. There are a lot of carrier options and improved logistics technology that have made this entire process much smoother. Ground freight and international shipment have become much more cost-effective, and delivery success has also improved. Also, if you want to enhance your company’s entire logistics, then partnering with NextSmartShip can be a great option. So make sure to check them out as well.
