How To Pack a TV

One of the most important parts of shipping a TV is making sure it’s properly packaged to have it arrive the way it was meant to.

Keeping a television set upright during every step of the shipping process is crucial. TVs aren’t designed to be laid on their sides to protect the LCD/LED display from extra pressure. Using the right kind of box is key. If it's a new TV or you still have the retail box it arrived in, that’s your best option. If you don’t have that box still, you should buy a box designed to accommodate televisions. The UPS Store^® packing experts can help find the right TV packing box for you.

Clean the TV to make sure it is free of dust and stains, before removing it from its stand or wall mount. Place any nuts, bolts and other equipment the TV requires in a secure plastic bag that will travel inside the box. Make a quick note of the accessories inside the plastic bag and place that inside the bag as well.

Remove batteries from the remote control, wipe it clean and place the remote in a separate bag that can be shipped inside the box. Don’t forget to include any installation instructions and operating manuals that came with the TV.

Wrap the stand with foam or bubble wrap and secure the padding with ties or tape. Bundle any cables with ties before wrapping. To protect the screen, use a thin sheet of foam that can be taped around the edges with a removable adhesive.

Preparing a TV Shipping Box

Once you have either the TV’s original box, or one suitable to use for shipping, it’s time to make sure you pack it the right way.

Line the bottom of the box with cushioning material, like bubble wrap. Carefully slide your TV into the box, and secure with foam edge protectors. Make sure the TV unit is secure within the box and can’t shift from side to side. Place the instructions, accessories and the stand or wall mount in the box on the rear side of the screen. Any accessories that are placed on the screen-side of the TV could cause damage. Make sure both the stand and screen are secure within the box and aren’t free to move around during transit.

Secure items to the sides of the box or the back of the television unit with tape. Use additional packing material, like bubble wrap or foam inserts, to make sure the contents stay safe inside the box.

Tape the box tightly on all sides. Make sure the shipping label is secured on the box and place directional arrows on the outside of the box to indicate which direction’s needed to keep the TV upright, since it’s important the box stays upright during transit.

Options for Shipping a TV

Now that your TV shipping box is ready, it's time to get your package on its way. For a quick estimate on what it’ll cost to get your TV to where it needs to be on time, use our UPS Calculate Time and Cost Tool.

Consider requiring a signature upon delivery for total peace of mind. If you want to go a step further to protect your delivery, increase the declared value of the shipment by paying an additional protection charge. While declared value isn’t insurance coverage, it does extend protection to your shipment in the event it’s damaged in transit and is found to have been properly packed.

You can also let The UPS Store packaging experts do the packing for you, meaning you could benefit from The UPS Store's pack and ship guarantee.

A television is a large and fragile item that needs to be shipped with the right level of care. With UPS, shipping a TV doesn’t have to be a headache. Trust our vast resources and deep expertise to help get your package safely on its way today.