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SHIPPING BOX PRICES
How to Save Money The Shipping Environment How to pack for shipping How to ship odd stuff About insurance |
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| HOW TO SHIP ODD STUFF | ||
| Odd stuff is stuff that is large enough, heavy enough or valuable enough to be a problem to ship. | ||
| Large or heavy items are a problem to ship because parcel carriers have size and weight limits. Expensive items are a problem because some carriers severely limit the amount of insurance they will issue for certain items. | ||
| BIG STUFF | ||
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| Both UPS and the US Post office will ship items in excess of the limits above, but they impose a large fee. As far as we know, both are firm on the weight limits -- 150 pounds for UPS and 70 pounds for the US Post Office. Now, here's an important bit of advice. Get the carrier lined up before you pack the item. Packaging requirements will depend on who carries it. |
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| The big and light stuff | ||
| If money isn't too important -- FedEx Air might work. They'll take boxes up to 160 inches (combined girth plus length). So a box 30X30X36 would ship OK. But it would be expensive! Greyhound bus lines will carry some really huge boxes at very low rates. BUT! The service is terminal to terminal. i.e. The sender must take the parcel to a greyhound terminal. Likewise, the receiver must pick up the parcel at a greyhound terminal. The insurance coverage is very limited and the maximum weight accepted is only 100 pounds and the maximum length accepted is only 74 inches. Nevertheless, this is the best deal we know of. Another route would be to try a local air freight company. Air freight companies will carry huge parcels -- but they will charge for the volume (domestically, they charge for 8.91 pounds per cubic foot). So, a 25 pound parcel measuring 24x24x72 might travel as though it weighed 214 pounds! Find air freight companies in the local "Yellow Pages" or online. Air freight rates can vary a lot. Shop around. Some carriers will ship parcels terminal to terminal at quite low rates. Ask about weekend rates which may be even lower. Here in San Diego we've been seeing low rates quoted by a company called Forward Air. These rates are for shipping between terminals. You would have to get the shipment to the nearest Forward Air terminal and it would have to be picked up at a Forward Air terminal at the other end. If this works for you, the rates are very good. If all else fails, try shipping through a truck freight line. Truck freight companies are really set up for dealing with businesses and they are frequently very unpleasant to consumers. We'd start with Viking Freight or ABF -- certainly the nicest of the lot. |
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| Really big stuff | ||
-- say a crate measuring 36 inches on a side and weighing 175 pounds.... Air freight companies might work, but this is something truck freight companies do well. Try ABF or Viking truck freight. Two other large trucking companies are Yellow Freight and Consolidated Freightways. You may have to get the item to the terminal. Ask their advice. They may work with local delivery companies which can pick up. AN IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT SHIPPING HEAVY BOXES BY TRUCK! If the package is too heavy for one man to lift it down off a truck -- say 100 pounds or more, it would be wise to pay for lift gate service. A lift gate is a tail gate that works as a hydraulic elevator. Some companies make them available at an extra charge. Some require them. If the trucking company suggests it -- pay the money. Otherwise your box could be unloaded very roughly (dropped). Movers can also handle large, heavy items and they don't require the item to be boxed. If getting the item into or out of a house is a major concern, a mover may be the best way to go. They can handle the whole deal. |
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| Valuable items | ||
| Having a carrier accept an item doesn't mean it's insured. Even mentioning the value to a clerk doesn't mean it's insured. You need to have the insured value clearly stated on the freight bill. It's essential that you be able to document the value of what you ship. A sales receipt is a good indication of value. Don't be shy about getting a formal appraisel -- in writing. UPS will insure jewelry for up to $50,000 but severely limits it's coverage on art and antiques. The Post Office is a good way to go. They will insure up to $5,000 . FedEx will insure jewelry and art only up to $500 |
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