How To Ship a Heavy Parcel

Woman handing driver parcel at door

If your parcel is over 25 kg, these rules apply. If your parcel is over 70 kg, it is considered freight.

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Weigh Your Item

If your parcel weighs more than 25 kg, there may be an added fee for heavy or large parcels. For more information go to Costs and Rates.
Remember, if it weighs more than 70 kg, your parcel is considered freight. Click here to calculate how much it will cost to ship it.

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First things first - you need to pack your items in a sturdy box. If you don’t have one, you can order supplies online.
Wrap items separately and use cushioning material. Get packaging tips.
Keep in mind, there are additional rules for special-care and prohibited items.
Seal your box with heavy-duty tape (preferably reinforced), by applying three strips to both the top and bottom of the box, so that the middle seam and the two edge seams are sealed.
You’ll need to know the dimensions and weight of your box. Keep them handy when you create a shipment.

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You must attach a heavy package sticker to all your parcels that weigh more than 25 kg.

Apply the bright yellow UPS heavy package sticker to your parcel at the right of the address label for maximum visibility.
Write the weight of your parcel in the white area on the label.
Using highly visible heavy package stickers allows UPS to give your heavy parcels the special attention and handling that they need and deserve. The stickers alert our employees and your customers that special care should be taken to safely handle these parcels.
You can get heavy package stickers by going to our Order Supplies page.

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Man unpacking a box

Boxes must be strongly constructed, preferably with seams that are stitched or stapled, not just glued.
Weight limits printed on the Box Maker's Certificate (found on the bottom flaps of most boxes) are intended for palletised freight shipments, not for shipments with small parcel carriers.
Use new boxes that are at their full strength and that have not been compromised by humidity or the wear and tear of previous use.
Use only dense cushioning material to protect your heavy package contents.
Use customised corrugated board or engineered foam enclosures to reinforce the rigidity of the outer box.

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Expanded polystyrene peanuts and crumpled paper won't protect your shipment effectively because both materials crush and shift under heavy loads.