shipping a large package

[tspaw]

Hi, I have a large package (18lb, 13oz) that measures 19 X 19 X 22. I'm shipping via USPS. When I fill in the shipping information on IF, I put in the weight, the box size, and then do I choose oversize 1 or 2? I originally choose Oversize 2, but when I went to check for errors it would not accept it. I've also have both parcel post and priority checked. Thanks in advance for your help.

[itzbruce]

Not sure for USPS, however, for UPS, the Length + Girth is 98 for that package, which makes it an OS1.

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Bruce

[Floridachickadee]

I've also have both parcel post and priority checked

I believe it would be an OS1 you can check usps for sure, but also I don't believe an OS2 size package can be sent via Priority mail, so that could be the reason... I could be wrong though I didn't verify with the website before posting...

Either way if you check USPS dot com it'll tell you there for sure which size your package is and if it's able to go Priority or not.

[tspaw]

Thanks so much!

I seem to be making a lot of mistakes on shipping lately. Should I be filling in the size of the box regardless how large?

[itzbruce]

Should I be filling in the size of the box regardless how large
Depends.....

I never fill in the box size because most boxes I send are under all the limits.

Personal preference, really. If you limit what choice the buyer has on shipping (UPS or USPS) and you know the box restrictions, then you can save yourself lots of time by leaving that section blank and simply setting the weight. Remember that an OS1 for UPS is the same as 30lbs, so simply enter 30lbs into the weight (even though it is only 19lbs).

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Bruce

[biggfredd]

Fill in the dimensions, it'll go possum post OS1.

It can also be sent priority, but there's a catch. If it's going to zone 5 or farther, it will go as dimensional weight. Dim wt is lwh/194, in this case, #41, which is even higher than the #30 OS1 rate.

In fact, it's only slightly more expensive to ship it Express, and cheaper if you consider free insurance.

We'd need destination and source zip codes for an exact number.

[cjturtle]

Should I be filling in the size of the box regardless how large?

When using USPS:

If your box size is 12 x 12 x 12 (1 cubic foot) or under, then you don't need to worry about it for USPS. If it's over and you have the option for priority shipping, then you need to put the size in case the package goes to zone 5 or farther as it will go by dimensional weight.

If your package is 84" and over total girth (girth + length), then you need to put in the size also regardless of whether you're using parcel or priority.

For larger packages measuring total girth will tell you if it's OS1 or OS2. To measure total girth, think of the box like a person; measure around the middle and then the length (width + height + width + height + length). 84 - 108 girth = OS1 (balloon rate) and 108 - 130 girth = OS2 (over-sized rate).

For your box 19x19x22, it would be 19+19+19+19+22 = 98 total girth (girth + length).

For Parcel Post, the maximum
length + girth is 130".

For other services, the maximum
length + girth is 108".

Here's the link (page 17):

http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm100/dmm100.pdf


For domestic postal rates and fees:

PDF Link:
http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/ratesandfees.pdf


HTML Link:

http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/ratesandfees.htm


International PDF Link:

http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub51/pub51.pdf



Disclaimer: This is id (cjturtle) is not my eBay id. Someone else on eBay already had this id. My eBay id is not even close to this one.

[oldstufftwo]

It's oversize 1. anythign over 108 will be oversize #2. Don't ship that big of a package by USPS. They really nail you. Use one of the other shipping companies.

[paradise326]

I agree with oldstuff...never ship anything heavy (unless it fits in a flat rate box) or large via the PO.

I just shipped a Tony Little Gazelle machine that measured 56" by 32" by 12" and weighed 58 pounds from Michigan to Texas yesterday at 6:30 last night via DHL and it cost me $19.75!!

I was THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!

Best part was...they accidently marked it express and they got it today.

[tspaw]

Thanks for all the advise. I put the the option of Fed Ex in the auction. I forgot about DHL. I'll look into that too.

Since the postal rate change I just seem to be making mistakes on shipping. I'm not sure why. I hardly had any trouble before...

Again, thanks!

[timelessrelics]

I am trying to determine shipping options for a large fragile painting. The length + girth = 134" and the weight is approx. 25 pounds. I may need to ship it International or National. Is that too large for USPS? What is DHL? Does anyone have advise for me? Thank you in advance for your help!

[dennyxl]

The numbers I have in front of me are: USPS max length + girth = 108"; UPS max L + G = 165" (not sure what DHL does). Just go to the carriers' respective web sites and find their calculate shipping section. There you can enter package weight & dims as well as origin & destination info and get an exact answer.

[sunflower555]

Best thing to do is call a local art gallery and find out who they use.

I have a painting to sell but the only safe way to ship is in a special painting box with inserts that costs a lot of money. :rolleyes:

[daniel3320]

I used to run several art galleries and we did allot of shipping all over. We used to use mat board boxes to ship with and many times made our own boxes. If it is a painting without glass that is much easier. You can pad the corners well with pieces of folded cardboard and then cut other pieces of cardboard a few inches larger than the frame and then encase the entire item with additional cardboard and you should be fine.

If you have an item with glass we would double box the item. Pack it well and then put the entire item in an additional box. A key is to leave empty space between the glass and the box itself. If you pack cardboard tight to the glass you have a much better chance of ending up with broken glass.

One thing we did as well if it was an expensive item is replace the glass with plexiglass. You can get regular, non glare or conservation grade plexi at larger framing shops or even order it from framing suppliers. Plexi is much better for higher quality artwork and no chance of damage.

We always used UPS for all of our shipping. On a rare occasion FEDEX. The key is it must be packaged well.

Figure your time and materials as well in the shipping charges.

Good luck!