How to Ship Large & Heavy Items in Australia

No matter the size, you'll save time and money on large parcel delivery when you book with Interparcel

We have over 15 years of experience sending to 250 destinations and territories, and we've negotiated the best large parcel postage prices to keep delivery affordable!

In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about shipping heavy items, the top courier picks found on our platform, and how you can get a custom strategy created uniquely for your business.

What are the Benefits of Shipping Heavy Items with Interparcel?

Shipping heavy items can be a significant challenge for small to medium-sized businesses, often leading to high costs and logistical headaches. Interparcel transforms this daunting task into a streamlined, cost-effective process. Here’s how:

1. Cost-Effective Pricing:

   Interparcel acts as a courier aggregator, which means we negotiate cheaper rates with individual couriers on your behalf. This unique position allows us to offer small and medium-sized businesses the competitive rates typically reserved for large enterprises with high shipping volumes. Additionally, our diverse range of courier partners ensures that you can choose the best shipping solutions tailored to your specific business needs without the hassle of managing multiple accounts.

2. Seamless eCommerce Integration:

   Interparcel integrates directly with your eCommerce platforms, allowing you to connect all your online stores to our centralised platform. This integration means that orders from different eCommerce sites are automatically populated in our system, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors. This seamless integration saves time and simplifies the shipping process for heavy items, which often require more detailed information and handling instructions.

3. Dedicated Customer Service Team:

   Our customer service team maintains a direct line of communication with couriers, enhancing our ability to quickly address and resolve any queries or issues that arise. This direct communication streamlines interactions and provides faster resolutions than businesses might achieve on their own. This service is invaluable when shipping heavy items that may require special handling or encounter unique challenges during transit.

4. Advanced Automation Tools:

   Our sophisticated automation tools significantly reduce the time it takes to fulfill shipping orders—by up to 85%. These tools automate various steps in the shipping process, from label printing to scheduling pickups, making it easier and quicker to manage and dispatch heavy items.

5. Customisable Branded Tracking Portal:

   Interparcel provides a free branded tracking portal that can be customised with your logo and website colors. This personalization not only enhances your brand’s presence but also creates opportunities for additional revenue through upsell offers displayed on the tracking page. The branded tracking experience not only reassures customers about their shipment’s status but also enhances their overall post-purchase experience.

6. Proactive SMS/Notifications:

   We understand the importance of keeping your customers informed. Our system sends automated SMS messages and notifications to update customers at every step of the shipping journey. These updates build trust and transparency, key factors in customer satisfaction and loyalty, especially when dealing with the complexities of shipping heavy items.

How to Pack Heavy and Large Items

If you want to ship bulky, large, and heavy items, there are different methods to consider depending on the size and shape of your parcels. For items below 25kg, it's recommended to use a double corrugated cardboard box, and for parcels over 25kg we recommend using a pallot. However, each method requires adequate packaging to keep the items secure and safe for travel. Here's the steps to follow for each method.

Using a Cardboard Box

1. Size, Shape, Weight:

• Ensure the box is appropriately sized for your oversized package.
• Verify that the box is strong enough for durable protection during transit.
• Your box should be slightly bigger than the size of your product in order to leave 3 - 5 cm (2 inches) between your product and the sides of the box.

2. Choosing the Right Material:

• For heavy items (over 5kg), use a double or triple-walled corrugated box.
• Opt for boxes with stitched or stapled seams, not glued seams.
• Choose new boxes over old ones for better strength and weight support.

3. Internal Protection:

• Pad the inside of the box with materials like packing peanuts, inflatable bags, crumpled paper, thermocol, or bubble wrap.
• Aim to minimise movement within the box during transit.

4. Sealing the Package:

• Once padded, seal the box with strong packing tape.
• Avoid using masking tape; opt for duct tape or a similar strong adhesive.

Using a Pallet

It’s advised that for all items over 25 kg you use a Pallet, especially if you have multiple orders.

Pallets are not only a fast and straightforward solution for packing a large number of goods, but they also offer significant advantages in terms of cargo security and cost-effectiveness.

By stacking your regular boxes on the pallet, you ensure that your goods will always be transported in the correct orientation, preventing any confusion about the top and bottom of the load. This method protects your items from mechanical damage, weather conditions, and significantly reduces the risk of deformation and impacts from dropping, a common issue with goods shipped in cardboard boxes only.

Ensure you follow these steps when loading up your pallet.

1. Select the Correct Pallet

• Ensure the pallet is large and sturdy enough for your shipment, with no broken boards or protruding nails.

2. Stack Items Carefully

• Use new, strong cartons.
• Close and seal cartons securely.
• Stack boxes in aligned columns.
• Keep boxes within pallet edges and the top layer flat.

3. Secure Your Shipment to the Pallet

• Wrap goods with quality stretch wrap (at least five revolutions).
• Include wrap around the top and bottom, adding corner boards and banding for stability.
• Place cardboard layers between freight layers.

4. Label Your Shipment

• Attach address labels on each side and top of every pallet.
• Include complete delivery information and contact numbers.
• Securely attach any shipping labels specific to your pallet service.

5. Collection of Your Pallet

• Ensure large trucks can access your premises for collection.
• Complete all packaging and labeling before the driver arrives to avoid delays and extra costs.

Shipping Insurance Details

When sending oversized packages of substantial value, covering the cost of loss or damage is essential. Consider getting a transit warranty to cover the potential damage of your products. Interparcel provides a free transit warranty of up to $100. For higher value items, additional cover is available and is calculated at 2% of the item value, up to a maximum of $2,000. If your products exceed this value, consider getting a third-party warranty before using our platform.

Be aware that the authority to leave services is excluded. Also if your product is on the prohibited items and restricted list, it will not be covered by our transit warranty.

Examples Of Packing Large & Heavy Items

How to Ship a Pram

• Fold the pram up so that it is as flat as it can be.
• Secure all loose parts.
• Wrap every part in protective material.
• Place the pram inside a double-corrugated cardboard box.
• Fill the space inside the box with additional protective materials.
• Tape to secure the box closed.

How to Ship a Bike

• Use a double-corrugated cardboard box to protect the bike.
• Dismantle all parts that are detachable (saddle, pedals, wheels, handlebars).
• Deflate each wheel.
• Wrap all loose parts in protective material.
• Place each item inside your box.
• Fill the space in the box with protective materials.
• Tape the box closed and seal all edges.

How to Ship a Fishing Rod

• Dismantle the fishing rod and make sure it's as short as it can be.
• Wrap each part separately in protective materials.
• Place the elements into a cardboard box or tube.
• Pad any empty space inside the box with protective materials to minimise movement.
• Tape the box up to secure the fishing rod inside.

Ready To Try The Platform?

Reading about the benefits of itnerparcel can only take you so far! The next step is to create a free account and try the platform out for yourself. We invite you to create a free account and start integrating our solutions into your business today. It's simple, quick, and requires no upfront commitments. All you pay for are the shipping costs!

If you're looking for a more tailored approach, why not book a call with one of our shipping experts? Our team is ready to work with you to develop a a customised shipping strategy that meets your unique business needs. Whether you're dealing with heavy items, require specific courier insights, or need help optimising your logistics, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.

Don't let complex shipping needs slow down your business growth. Join Interparcel and discover how easy and efficient shipping can be.