How to Ship Super Heavy and Large Items

The larger the package you want to ship, the greater the challenge you must face.

It's not easy to move cargo with very large sizes. Special permits are required, there are time restrictions, etc.

Companies that ship heavy items and large products to customers far away can face significant costs. 

Shipping items, or transporting large packages, is far more complex than shipping small packages. The density and dimensional weight of the package, plus the type of vehicle used to ship the items, will all affect your profit margin.

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What is Cargo Shipping?

Cargo shipping is the process of shipping or delivery of items that are too large or heavy to be shipped through traditional parcel delivery services.

It's important to note that weight limits and size restrictions specific to each shipping category  vary between each shipping company. 

Cargo shipping is typically transported in large quantities by truck, train, ship, or airplane.

So, cargo shipping is when you transport merchandise, goods, and large cargo via land, sea, or air.

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Differences Between Cargo Shipping and Parcel Shipping 📦

Cargo shipping is very different from sending smaller packages. Here are some of the differences:

Bill of Lading

You must clearly and in detail declare what you are shipping. Cargo shipping is usually accompanied by a bill of lading (BOL), which is basically a cargo manifest that tells the courier what they are transporting. 

The shipper needs to know what's inside the box (or on your pallet) to ship items safely. 

BOL serves as a contract. If something is damaged or lost during shipping, that document is what you'll use to settle any disputes, so make sure you fill it out completely and accurately.

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Density and durability matter. 

One of the largest differences between parcel shipping and cargo shipping is the density of your items, not just the size and weight, that affects your shipping rate. 

When you send non-cargo parcels (assuming they don't contain hazardous or prohibited materials), shipping heavy items costs more than shipping light items. 

But with cargo shipping, heavier doesn't always mean more expensive. Ping-pong balls, for example, are charged higher shipping rates than bricks because they are less dense, less durable, and therefore more likely to be damaged in transit.

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Types of Cargo Shipping

Less-than-truckload (LTL) 

Less-than-truckload, also known as less-than-load (LTL), is designed for freight or shipment quantities that are relatively small compared to other types. 

Each cargo shipping service typically has its own rules and limits for LTL shipment dimensions. 

With LTL, your shipping service combines multiple items from different customers to be delivered to their respective destinations.

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Full Truckload (FTL) 

Full Truckload means an entire truck will be dedicated to delivering one shipment. This shipping method is often the most expensive. However, your shipment will arrive faster with minimal damage during shipping.

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Partial truckload (PTL) 

Partial truckload is a mix between LTL and FTL. This option can be more cost-effective than FTL because you don't need to pay for a dedicated trailer. It also allows you to ship freight larger than what's allowed with LTL. 

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Expedited 

Expedited shipping ensures that your items are shipped faster than regular transit time. This type of shipping is most often transported by truck or air. Trucks carrying expedited shipments move directly from pickup to delivery with almost no stops along the way.

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Methods for Shipping Heavy and Large Cargo

There are four ways to ship your heavy and large items.

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1. Land Shipping 🚛

Land shipping, or moving goods by trailer, is the most popular way to ship large cargo domestically.

Advantages: Land shipping offers more flexibility than other modes of transportation. Trucks can go anywhere as long as there are roads, so drop-off points are not limited to train stations, ports, or airports.

Disadvantages: The downside of using trucks to ship packages is that it takes longer than other methods and presents greater security risks. If you want to get a large package shipped in as few business days as possible (e.g., next-day delivery), then land is not the right way. Trucks often stop multiple times along the route, which means more opportunities for items to be damaged or stolen. Truck tires can also go flat, get stuck in traffic, and be delayed for various other reasons.

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2. Ocean Shipping 🛳️

Ocean shipping is the most popular method of transporting goods globally. The Maritime Executive reports that 70% of global shipping is transported by ship.

Advantages: The popularity of ocean transport is mainly due to the fact that 71% of Earth's surface is covered by water. Because of this, land transport and rail are not options for most international shipping options — only ships and planes are. And ocean shipping is significantly cheaper than air transport. Shipping cargo by plane can cost five times as much as shipping via cargo ship.

Disadvantages: The downside of ocean shipping is that it's slow. It takes approximately fifteen days for a cargo ship to travel from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, whereas an airplane can make the same journey in less than fifteen hours. Ocean shipping also comes with many security issues. Rough seas can cause damage to cargo, fires are very common on cargo ships, and although piracy has declined over the past 10 years, it remains a concern for maritime shipping.

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3. Rail Shipping 🚂

Rail shipping, or transporting cargo by rail, is most often used for bulk goods such as wood, paper, grains, and raw ore.

Advantages: If you need to ship heavy goods in large quantities (more than one truckload) by land, rail shipping is almost always your best choice. Railcars can hold four times as much cargo as standard trailers, and bulk shipping costs are much lower.

Disadvantages: The biggest drawback of rail shipping is physical travel limitations. Trains can only go as far as the tracks, so they can't deliver cargo to the final destination. For this reason, many shipments rely on a multimodal combination of rail shipping and land shipping.

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4. Air Shipping ✈️

If you want your cargo shipped quickly, you'll definitely want to send it by airplane. But that will cost you dearly.

Advantages: The clear advantage of air shipping is its speed. If we refer to the time comparison from ocean shipping, cargo shipping by airplane is twenty-four times faster. Compared to other shipping methods, air shipping is extremely fast.

Disadvantages: Unfortunately, speed almost always comes with an expensive price tag. 

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Factors Affecting Shipping Rates 

There are many factors that affect shipping rates besides the weight of the items. Understanding shipping rates can be a major stumbling block for many business owners. However, don't overthink it. Here are some factors you need to consider:

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Dimensional Weight 

Cargo shipping services will calculate how heavy your package is based on how much space it takes up. Therefore, whichever is higher will be charged — actual weight or dimensional weight. 

So, if you're shipping a large box that's fairly light (like ping-pong balls), make sure you get a quote from a shipping service with fair rates.

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Special Services

Items that require special handling, such as fragile items or hazardous materials, will be charged at a higher rate.

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Origin and Destination of the Package 

Besides size and weight, how far your shipment has to travel also affects the shipping rate. The farther the distance between your package's origin and destination, the higher your shipping cost.

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Shipping Method 

The mode of transportation you use to ship your shipment also affects its price.

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Tips for Shipping Large-Sized Items ✅

When it comes to large shipments, some tried-and-true methods will help ensure your product reaches its destination in pristine condition. Use the following tips:

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Use Strong Boxes 

The heavier the shipment, the stronger the box needs to be. Use new boxes because used boxes may already be thin or damaged. If possible, it's highly recommended to pack that box inside another box to provide an extra layer of strength and protection. If you use box-in-box to ship your package, make sure to include padding between the boxes for additional protection.

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Use Heavy-Duty Packing Tape

After you've securely placed items in the box, seal it with reinforced packing tape, following the "H" technique along the seams. Don't use regular, duct, or scotch tape for shipping.

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Determine Shipping Method Based on Weight and Size

Weigh and measure your package to determine the shipping method, which might be standard delivery, oversized shipping, or freight. You can use a tape measure to calculate the overall length and width of the box and weigh the package with a standard scale.

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Conclusion 🗒️

Shipping heavy and large items is very different from regular parcel shipping, so it's important to understand all the ins and outs. We hope these tips will help you ensure your shipment goes as smoothly as possible.

The best way to safely ship heavy and large packages is to work with the experts. When you choose a fulfillment company, ask about their experience working with large products. 

ABC Express is a cargo shipping service that specializes in large and heavy items, delivery to remote areas in Indonesia, and fast arrival.

With an extensive network covering the entire territory of Indonesia, ABC Express is able to provide fast and safe shipping to various destinations. Whether it's intra-city shipping, inter-island shipping, or international shipping.

Supported by a professional and trained team, ABC Express offers responsive customer service and solutions tailored to each business's needs. With advanced technology and state-of-the-art tracking systems, customers can monitor their shipments in real-time and ensure their items arrive on time.

ABC Express is here to help you expand your business activities to various regions of Indonesia, especially the most remote and farthest areas.

AirNav Indonesia, POS Indonesia, Kimia Farma, IKEA, and dozens of other major companies trust ABC Express with their shipping.

Grow your business with ABC Express, reach customers wherever, and we guarantee reliability, comfort, and security in your shipments. Contact us here

Learn more about ABC Express services!

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