How To Ship a Heavy Package

Woman handing driver package at door

If your package is over 70 lbs, these rules apply. If your package is over 150 lbs, it’s considered freight.

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Weigh Your Item

If your package weighs more than 70 lbs, there may be an added fee for heavy or large packages. For more information go to Costs and Rates.
Remember, if it weighs more than 150 lbs, your package is considered freight. For information about shipping freight go here.

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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 or buy one at The UPS Store.
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 packages that weigh more than 70 lbs (31.5 kgs).

Apply the bright yellow UPS heavy package sticker to your package at the right of the address label for maximum visibility.
Write the weight of your package in the white area on the label.
Using highly visible heavy package stickers allows UPS to give your heavy packages 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 packages.
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 palletized 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 customized 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.