Whether it comes to moving home, selling furniture via online marketplace or sending a gift, shipment of large items can feel like an overwhelming task. But if you can plan accordingly and execute it properly your items will arrive safely and cost-effectively at your destination. This comprehensive step-by-step guide will walk you through the essential phases and considerations when shipping large items.
Inspect the Item
Inspect the merchandise carefully before starting shipment. Consider size, weight, fragility and value. Take a length, width and height measurement of the item and weigh if possible. This information is useful in determining which shipping method to use along with estimating cost. Any merchandise that is highly valuable or irretrievable may be considered for additional insurance. For irregularly-shaped items, take measurements to the widest, tallest and longest. Most of the carriers will have size limits on their packages, which you should know in advance. If your item happens to be bigger than common-size limits, then you may want to consider freight shipping options.
Select Right Packaging
This is important because big items need greater care in how you pack them. It needs to keep the object safe from potential damages due to movement, while at the same time being small and not too heavy. For larger, stiffer items such as furniture, then a layer of bubble wrap or foam sheeting at the bottom will prevent nasty scratches and some protection from slight knocks. Similarly, for things that are perhaps a tad too extensive, one should think about custom crates. For items with fragile parts or protrusions, additional padding is required; you must disassemble the item if this can be done. Every removable part should be taken off and packed separately, labelling each component unmistakably. This not only protects every one of your parts but tends to minimise the outside dimensions of your shipment.
Choose a Shipping Method
Your options for shipping are going to depend widely on the size and weight of your item. For greatly oversized or heavy items, a freight shipment is often your best bet. LTL (less than load) freight allows you to ship large items without having to pay for an entire truck. If you have several large items to ship, or a really large piece, full truckload shipping may be the more economical way to go. Specialty shipping services can be used for truly one-of-a-kind items, such as works of art, antiques, or even vehicles. Most specialty shipping services will provide custom crating and white-glove service to ensure that a priceless or fragile item arrives safely.
Compare Costs and Services
After you have a few potential methods of shipping, you will need to figure out the associated costs and what each is offering. Remember that the cheapest option is not always your best, especially if what you are shipping has anything of value or fragile. Check the time frame, tracking availability, insurance options and the reputation of the carrier that you plan to use for heavier items. The majority of carriers have online quoting functionalities that you can use by punching in the length, width, height and weight of your package (if you know), to get a quote — give it a try!!
Prepare for Pick-up or Drop-off
This is a general guideline and will vary according to what shipping option you choose, and the carrier. Kerbside pick-up is generally for large items that are difficult to transport. Have your item ready for collection at the time pickup is scheduled with all required paperwork completed. Several carriers have pack-and-ship offerings so that you can let them manage your packaging, especially when dealing with items that are complicated or fragile.
Insurance and Tracking
You want insurance when you are shipping large or expensive items. They give you the basic coverage but high value items are not enough with this. Purchase extra insurance to insure your shipment in full, if available. Always keep detailed records of the item condition before shipping it, and this usually includes photographs to assist a claim. You give your customer peace of mind by letting them know their large item is on the way, and it also acts as protection for you since delivery tracking can solve disputes. The majority of carriers will give you tracking numbers so that you can check the status of your shipment. Use services which have signature confirmation upon delivery for important items.
International Shipping Considerations
If you are shipping large items overseas, then there is something else to take into account. Exporting by country involves different customs regulations, all of which may require you to fill in specific documentation such as customs forms and commercial invoices. Note down whether you can ship the things that you are including in the package as it happens that there are a few countries where some materials or products are prohibited. Because of the long shipping times and extra handling that happens with international, strong packaging is even more important. Keep in mind that there will likely be customs duties and taxes, which might have to be paid by your recipient upon arrival.
Eco-Friendly Shipping Practices
With sustainability on the rise, think of bio-alternative methods to ship large parcels. Opt for packaging materials that can be reused or recycled Some carriers provide shipping where the net carbon dioxide means out of a shipment is neutral; hence it will have zero impact on climate change. If you are shipping more than one item at a time, this may mean trying to combine them into larger shipments as opposed to multiple smaller ones. This can save costs and reduce their impact on the environment. If you can, always opt for slower ground shipping methods like LTL instead of expensive air freight since they are usually more carbon-efficient.
