How You Can Save on Large Packages
The popularity of online shopping has given new meaning to oversize and large packages. From a week’s groceries to refrigerators, consumers can order and receive just about anything from the comfort of their own home. To keep up with these massive packages, Fed Ex® and UPS® are adding surcharges to handle what are often cumbersome and heavy deliveries.
There are two ways carriers are changing the way they think about the size of packages:
- Volume: Reducing standard dimensions (DIM) of a package that focuses on the size of a package and the space it takes up
- Additional handling: Reducing qualifying sizes for Additional Handling and Large or Oversize Packages
Fed Ex and UPS have both made the following standard rate increases among others:
- Additional Handling minimum length fee is now $12 for packages that are 48” or more along the longest side
- Oversize Packages now have a $90 surcharge for packages exceeding 96” in length for both US air and ground services
And, UPS made some additional changes: Any package with an actual weight over 70 pounds will incur an Additional Handling fee of $19, and all residential shipments in the category of Large Package will now include a $90 surcharge.
Before you ship:
- Get familiar with all of the carrier size and weight requirements
- Assess the DIM and actual weight of your package. Read our story, When Smaller (and Greener) is Better, and check out our easy-to-use Dimensional (DIM) Weight Calculator and Resource Center.
- Look for local or regional shippers who may have lower fees or are willing to negotiate
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