Shipping large items can get costly if you don’t know what to look for when choosing a partner. Whether you’re an ecommerce merchant or a brick-and-mortar store that delivers goods to customers, cost is always a concern for the heavy or oversized items you send. Here’s a guide to the eight best companies you can use to delivery large packages across the country or locally!
Quicklook: Best Companies for Shipping Large Items
- uShip
- USPS
- Pitt Ohio
- ABF Freight System
- XPO
- UPS
- FedEx
- DHL
8 Best Companies for Shipping Large Items
Each of the following companies offers something different to its clients, so let’s look closer at them one by one.
uShip
uShip, Inc is a logistics company that offers an online marketplace for delivery services. This allows individuals along with businesses to ship large items efficiently. They make it quick and easy to ship everything from furniture to vehicles with a freight option that is transparent and straightforward.
Locations: Services all 50 states and overseas
Contact Info:
- Phone: (800) 698-7447
- Website: www.uShip.com
Weight: None
Fragility: N/A
Average shipping speed for heavy items:
- Most shipments get picked up within three days and are delivered directly. Some shipments may take longer depending on location or distance shipped.
Pricing:
- Average large, short distance shipments cost $1.81 per mile
- $0.59 per mile for longer distance shipments
USPS
The United States Postal Service offers several options through its flat rate delivery program. This is perfect for handling small but dense items at a low cost. Competitors’ rates for the same weight classes are usually much higher, so check with your local post office for small items weighing 70 pounds or less before choosing another carrier.
Locations: Services all 50 states
Contact Info:
- Phone: (800) 275-8777
- Website: www.usps.com
Weight: 70-pound limit
Fragility: $11.15 per package
Average shipment speed for heavy items:
- Ground: 2-8 days
- Priority Mail: 1-3 business days
- Priority Mail Express: Overnight
Pricing:
- Ground: $8-$67
- Priority Mail: $6.95-$17.60
- Priority Mail Express: $22.50 and up for flat rate boxes
Pitt Ohio
Pitt Ohio is the answer if you need a reliable ground service. They have customized solutions to ensure your packages reach their destination undamaged. Take advantage of consolidated shipping and deliver your large shipments safely and on time.
Locations: Services the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest
Contact Info:
- Phone: (800) 426-9129
- Website: https://pittohio.com/myPittOhio/
Weight: 2,500-pound limit for pallets
Fragility: No
Average shipping speed for heavy items:
- Ground: 1-9 business days
Pricing:
- Shipping 100 pounds across the country costs between $800 and $900
- Prices vary by weight and zone
- Contact Pitt, Ohio for an accurate quote
ABF Freight System
ABF will transport your less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments anywhere they need to go in North America. You can schedule, monitor, reroute, expedite, and merge shipments all from your ABF account.
ABF’s innovative technology allows you to stay in control of your shipment while it’s on the road. Your clients will remain satisfied and happy with this delivery company’s service as customers are their number one priority.
Locations: Services all 50 states
Contact Info:
- Phone: (800) 610-5544
- Website: https://arcb.com/abf-freight
Weight: 300-pound limit
Fragility: No
Average shipping speed for heavy items:
- Ground: 1-6 days
Pricing:
- Prices vary by weight and zone
- Contact them for an accurate quote
XPO Logistics
As an LTL provider, XPO Logistics will securely move your big, bulky items across the country. They also make deliveries to Canada and Mexico as well as overseas to Europe and Asia. No matter what you’re shipping, XPO has plenty of premium service options to handle your packages and remain flexible as your business grows.
Locations: Services all 50 states
Contact Info:
- Phone: (844) 742-5976
- Website: https://www.xpo.com/
Weight: 2,000-pound limit for pallets
Fragility:
- Yes
- $6 special handling fee per package
Average shipping speed for heavy items:
- Ground: 2-6 business days
Pricing:
- Prices vary by weight and zone
- Contact them for an accurate quote
UPS
UPS offers some of the most competitive rates for shipping large or heavy items. You can use one of their hundreds of drop-off locations or have the package picked up for added convenience. They have numerous service options to choose from and provide quotes online. UPS is a name known for its dependability and great customer service, so you won’t go wrong with them as your partner.
Locations: Services all 50 states
Contact Info:
- Phone: (800) 742-5877
- Website: www.ups.com
Weight: 150-pound limit
Fragility:
- Yes
- No extra fee
Average shipping speed for heavy items:
- Ground: 1-6 days
- Air freight: 1-3 days
- Ocean freight: 1-4 weeks
Pricing:
- Prices vary by weight and zone
- Contact UPS for an accurate quote
FedEx
FedEx is another trusted and well-known name in the shipping industry. They’re fast and reliable with online tools that keep you connected to your shipment. Customs won’t be an issue with FedEx’s effective and quick clearance if you’re shipping to another country. When you want to get your shipment to the delivery locations fast, hassle-free, and reliably, choose FedEx.
Locations: Services all 50 states
Contact Info:
- Phone: (800) 463-3339
- Website: www.fedex.com
Weight: 15-pound limit
Fragility:
- $15 per package for dimension-based shipping
- $24 per package for weight-based shipping
Average shipping speed for heavy items:
- Ground: 1-7 days
Pricing:
- Prices vary by weight and zone
- Contact FedEx for an accurate quote
DHL
DHL is a popular company for international shipping, and they have an expedited option for those packages with urgent delivery needs. If you’re looking to expand globally, DHL is the right shipping partner for your business.
They make deliveries to over 220 countries daily, so they’ll be able to reach your clients no matter where they are in the world. Take advantage of DHL’s strong logistics system and use it to grow as you move into more markets.
Locations: Services all 50 states
Contact Info:
- Phone: (317) 554-5191
- Website: https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home.html?locale=true
Weight:
- 150-pound domestic limit
- 66-pound international express limit
Fragility:
- Yes
- No additional fee
Average shipping speed for heavy items:
- Ground: 3-8 days
- Air Freight: 1-3 days
- Ocean Freight: Contact for quote
Pricing:
- Prices vary by weight and zone
- Contact them for an accurate quote
What Is Considered a Heavy Item?
Each carrier has different standards for what it considers a heavy shipment. For instance, 90 pounds is the minimum billable weight with UPS and FedEx, and anything more is considered overweight. The USPS has a limit of 70 pounds, so it’s best to check with the carrier to determine what they consider heavy shipments to help choose the best company for your package.
What To Consider With Shipping Heavy Items
A few factors play a key role in determining your shipping costs, like weight, special handling, and a few others we’ll cover below.
Cost
Weight limitations vary from carrier to carrier. Typically, the heavier the item, the more you’ll pay. Each carrier has a different price structure for anything over the specified weight limits.
Price fluctuations are also based on whether we’re in a peak shipping season. If so, you’ll be charged an overweight fee and peak season surcharge.
Fragility
Delicate valuables require extra loving care when being prepared and handled for shipping. Companies that handle fragile items typically attach a surcharge to ensure your package arrives safely and in one piece.
Also, the packing materials you need to use may cost more and add additional weight to the package, increasing the shipping costs. Keep these factors in mind and look for shipping companies that specifically handle fragile packages.
Carrier Rules
Carriers have their own set of rules for large shipments. Some have dimensional limitations, which may require an extra fee to ship. Others have restrictions on what kind of items they ship. Verify that the carrier permits the shipping of the items you want to send. Otherwise, you will face returned packages and major delays.
Shipping Zones
Where the package is shipped from, and its final destination will influence your shipping costs. Carriers have shipping zones, and the further the zone your package travels to the higher your cost.
Shop Around When Shipping Large Items
The way to find the best option for large items is to shop around and compare. Please do your research and find companies that don’t have any restrictions for the goods you want to ship, and then compare the pricing tiers and extra services offered to choose the one that fits your needs.
If you’re sending large items regularly, you’ll need a trustworthy shipping partner to deliver them safely and on time. Don’t just go with the first good quote you get; dig a little deeper and make sure the company is right for you.
FAQ
It depends on what you’re shipping, its dimensional weight, and how far it’s traveling. The best shipping company is the one that meets your unique needs for a reasonable fee.
Each carrier has different pricing based on the distance of the shipment’s destination and speed of delivery. Inquire with the shipping company as to their pricing.
Compare different companies to find the best option for your particular item as pricing varies.
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