Shipping Oversized Items with UPS: What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever tried to send a furniture piece, a big TV, or a crate of equipment, you know regular parcel services hit a wall fast. UPS offers several ways to move those giant loads, but the rules aren’t always obvious. Below you’ll get the key limits, the best packaging tricks, and a quick look at pricing so you can avoid surprises.
Size Limits and When to Use UPS Freight
UPS treats anything over 165 inches (length + girth) as a freight shipment. For most oversized boxes, you’ll stay under that line, but once you hit a bulky sofa or a pallet of supplies, you need UPS Freight. Freight ships on a truck‑load (TL) or less‑than‑truck‑load (LTL) basis, meaning you share space with other shipments if you don’t fill a whole truck. The biggest advantage is higher weight limits—up to 5,000 lbs per piece—so you can send heavy machinery without breaking the package.
To decide which service fits, measure the longest side (length), then add twice the width and twice the height (girth). If the total is under 165 inches, you can use UPS® Ground with oversized handling. If it exceeds that, move straight to UPS Freight. Keep in mind that freight requires a bill of lading, not a standard airway bill, and you’ll need to schedule a pickup or drop‑off at a UPS Freight facility.
Packaging, Pricing, and Booking Tips
Start with a sturdy box or a wooden crate. Reinforce corners with heavy‑duty tape and use corner protectors for sharp edges. If you’re shipping a pallet, make sure it’s a standard 48" x 40" wood pallet, wrapped tightly with stretch film. Label the top and each side with the UPS freight barcode; this speeds up handling and reduces mis‑routes.
Pricing for oversized items combines dimensional weight, actual weight, and the distance traveled. UPS calculates dimensional weight as (length × width × height) ÷ 139 for shipments in inches. If the dimensional weight is higher than the actual weight, you’ll pay for the larger number. For freight, rates are quoted per hundred pounds and depend on the freight class, which reflects density and handling difficulty. Use UPS’s online freight calculator to get a quick quote, but expect a final figure after the carrier confirms the exact dimensions.
Booking is straightforward online: choose “Ship an Oversized Package” and the system will guide you to the right service. For freight, you can also call UPS Freight to arrange a special pickup, especially if you need a lift‑gate or a pallet jack at the origin. Ask the dispatcher about “consolidated LTL” options—they often lower the cost by bundling your load with others heading the same way.
Finally, keep an eye on insurance. UPS offers declared value coverage, but for high‑value items you might want third‑party insurance that covers up to the full replacement cost. Document the condition of the item before packing, take photos, and store the paperwork with your shipping records.
With these basics, you can confidently ship that oversized couch, industrial equipment, or a bulk order of parts using UPS. Measure, pack solid, check the freight thresholds, and get a quote before you book. The right preparation saves time, cuts cost, and keeps your goods safe all the way to the destination.
July 25, 2025
Evelyn Wescott
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Curious about how big a package UPS will really take? Learn the UPS size and weight limits, plus tips for shipping large parcels through UPS, with real rules and facts.
