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How To Ship a TV

If you’re planning to ship a television, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure to get a shipping container that’s large enough to fit your television and all of the accompanying hardware and accessories. Then, get an electronic bill of lading from the shipping company.

What is the Cost of Shipping a TV? 

The cost of shipping a television depends on the size and weight of the television and the shipping method you choose. The most common shipping methods for shipping a television are freight shipping and parcel shipping. Freight shipping is more expensive, but you will have more flexibility when it comes to choosing a delivery method and schedule. Parcel shipping is typically less expensive, but you will not have as much flexibility with delivery scheduling. 

Packing Materials and Supplies Needed for Shipping a TV

When shipping a TV it’s important to use the proper packing materials to ensure the product arrives undamaged at its destination. Various types of material can be used to package your television securely in a wooden crate with foam padding to ensure it isn’t damaged during transport. But there are a host of other TV shipping boxes that are suitable, and your TV manufacturer may recommend using specific types of packing materials to ship your product. Always follow their instructions carefully.

Options to pack your TV for shipping include:

  • Bubble wrap
  • Packing peanuts
  • Something soft to cover the screen
  • Styrofoam cups or containers (any pieces that are missing or broken)
  • Foam spray (if you’ve filled the box with packing peanuts and then filled it with air)

5 Simple Steps for Shipping a TV

When shipping a TV, there are a few things to keep in mind. The steps you need to follow when shipping a TV are outlined below.

Step 1: Compare at Shipping Quotes

The first step is to get a quote for shipping a TV. You can easily obtain quotes online from companies like uShip Inc., FedEx Corp., United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) or the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). If you already receive deliveries from these companies, it may be easier for you to contact them directly to get quotes for shipping your TV as well. 

Step 2: Get the Correct Packing Supplies

Now that you’ve found your shipper, you need to find a box that is as close to the size of the TV as possible, this will help minimize any empty space in the box and reduce the overall size of the shipment. It’s also a good idea to try to find a durable box that can take a lot of abuse during the move so you don’t need to worry about it getting crushed or damaged during transport. Keep in mind that you’ll need something soft to cover the screen of the TV when you ship it. Also, use plenty of padding to make sure that the TV is well-protected.

Step 3: Pack the Television for Shipping

Make sure your TV is packed correctly to ensure it reaches its final destination. Having the correct packing materials listed above is a great place to start. Once you’ve wrapped the TV with bubble wrap and sealed the box, you’ll need to tape up all the seams and make sure that everything is locked in place so it doesn’t shift during the trip. Finally, make sure to fill the box with lots of extra padding to ensure there’s enough protection for the TV. It’s important to use the correct size box to ensure the TV is packaged properly and doesn’t shift around during transit. It can help to mark the box “Fragile” so the people handling it will treat it more carefully.

Step 4: Set Your Pickup Location

This is usually determined by the delivery service you use to ship your package. When you use services like UPS or FedEx, they will usually pick up your package at your home or business. If you prefer to have your package picked up at a location other than your home, contact the carrier you chose.

Step 5: Insure Your Shipment

The worst-case scenario for you doing all of this work to ship your TV would be if it arrives damaged, and that’s why you should insure your TV’s shipment. The insurance cost of shipping a TV will be nominal compared to buying a new one.

Choose the Right Channel to Ship Your TV

Shipping a TV can be a hassle, but now that you know how to pack and ship your TV you’ll have no problem sending it on its way! The most important thing to remember when shipping anything is to use plenty of padding and enough bubble wrap to ensure the protection of the item during transit.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to ship a flat-screen TV?

For a moderate-size TV, parcel shipping is the most cost-effective.

Can you ship a TV with USPS?

You can ship a TV with USPS, but like most shipping services it is experiencing a staffing shortage.

 Do TVs get damaged during shipping?

 Even if packed correctly, TVs can get damaged during shipping. That’s why it’s important to get insurance.

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