Innovations like flat-pack furniture—pioneered by companies like IKEA—revolutionized the industry by enabling cost-effective, efficient global shipping and easier handling.
Ecommerce sales required further transformation. Now furniture makers optimize packaging for individual shipping rather than bulk, adapt to faster delivery expectations, and focus on the sustainability of their packaging and transport methods.
The challenge has been balancing the integrity and quality of your products with the practicalities and costs of shipping—not to mention finding a furniture shipping service that can send items long distances at an affordable cost while keeping the furniture pristine for customers.
Here are some cost-effective ways to ship furniture pieces, with tips on packing and choosing the best shipping solution.
Table of contents
How to pack furniture for shipping
- Disassemble the furniture if possible
- Bag any small parts
- Protect any fragile spots
- Wrap larger pieces
- Use cardboard or corrugated sheets
- Select the right shipping box
- Secure the package with packing tape
- Label the package clearly
- Hand off the package to a shipping company
Packing furniture for shipping requires careful disassembly, preparation, and shipping materials to ensure it arrives safely. Here’s how to pack furniture for shipping:
1. Disassemble the furniture if possible
When designing and building furniture for shipping, prioritize features that facilitate ease of transport and assembly. Lightweight furniture reduces shipping costs and simplifies handling. Designing pieces that are collapsible or easily disassembled makes them more compact for shipping. This not only reduces carrier costs but also ensures efficient packing.
Furniture that’s easy to assemble may appeal to customers looking for convenience, minimizing the effort and tools needed for setup. If your furniture has detachable parts like table legs, shelves, or drawers, disassemble them before packing.
2. Bag any small parts
Bag small hardware, screws, and other detachable parts in labeled plastic bags so that essential pieces don’t come loose during transit. Tape the bags securely to the furniture or place them in a clearly labeled box.
3. Protect any fragile spots
Use foam or bubble wrap to protect any delicate or fragile parts of the furniture, such as glass panels or ornate decorations. Tape the padding to secure these fragile items and prevent damage during the delivery process.
4. Wrap larger pieces
Wrap larger furniture pieces in moving blankets or furniture pads. Blanket wrapping prevents scratches, dents, and other damage. Secure the blankets with packing tape to keep them in place.
5. Use cardboard or corrugated sheets
For more protection, place large corrugated box sheets between the layers of furniture to provide cushioning and stability. This helps prevent shifting and reduces the risk of damage during transit.
6. Select the right shipping box
If you’re shipping relatively small furniture pieces or parts, choose a sturdy cardboard box slightly larger than the item. Reinforce the bottom of the box with packing tape and add extra padding—such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts—to fill the space and provide cushioning.
The right-sized shipping box isn’t too snug or loose. If the box is too small, the furniture can burst through the container and chip or break. If the box is too large, the furniture can move around, causing similar damage.
7. Secure the package with packing tape
Once furniture is packed and wrapped, use heavy-duty packing tape to secure all the layers and seams. Apply the tape tightly to prevent the furniture inside from shifting during transit.
8. Label the package clearly
Label each box carefully with the contents, destination address, and any special handling instructions to ensure your shipment is delivered with care to the right location and unboxed correctly when it gets there.
9. Hand off the package to a shipping company
As for a shipping service, you have many options. You can work with a furniture delivery specialist, like a moving company, or use freight shipping companies like UPS or FedEx.
Choosing a carrier for shipping your furniture
Many factors can influence your choice of furniture shipping companies, including furniture shipping costs, delivery times, special offerings like white glove services, and the carrier’s experience with furniture transport. Here are four shipping options for furniture order fulfillment:
UPS
UPS offers various shipping services suitable for furniture, including UPS Ground, UPS Freight, and UPS Worldwide Express Freight.
- UPS Ground. UPS Ground is arguably the best way to ship small furniture items that fit in standard-sized boxes. It’s an especially cost-effective option for domestic shipments within the United States.
- UPS Freight. UPS Freight is suitable for larger furniture items or multiple pieces that require palletizing or crating and heavier items that exceed UPS Ground’s size and weight limits.
- UPS Worldwide Express Freight. UPS Worldwide Express Freight provides international shipping services for furniture to destinations around the world, offering fast and reliable delivery with customs clearance and tracking options.
UPS shipping rates are based on shipment distance and weight metrics, among other factors.
FedEx
FedEx offers similar shipping services to UPS, including FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx International Freight.
- FedEx Ground. FedEx Ground is suitable for smaller furniture items and domestic shipments within the United States, providing reliable delivery with tracking and insurance options.
- FedEx Freight. FedEx Freight is suitable for larger furniture items or shipments that require palletizing or crating.
- FedEx International Freight. FedEx International Freight provides international shipping services for furniture to other countries. Its air freight service offers fast transit times and customs clearance assistance.
The cost to ship through FedEx depends on many of the same factors as a UPS shipment, including shipping distance, weight, and dimensions.
LTL freight shipping
LTL stands for “less than truckload.” LTL shipping is a cost-effective way to ship freight items that don’t require a full truckload. It’s suitable for transporting furniture that is too large for parcel carriers like UPS and FedEx but doesn’t require the space of a full truck.
LTL carriers consolidate shipments from multiple customers onto a single truck, determining shipping costs by how much space your items take up. Delivery times can be slow compared to UPS and FedEx, but the method helps cut costs by sharing transportation expenses.
Common LTL carriers include companies like Old Dominion Freight Line and XPO Logistics. Each freight company offers a range of services including pickup, delivery, and freight tracking. You may get discounted rates if you’re willing to wait a long time to receive your shipment.
FTL freight shipping
FTL stands for “full truckload.” The FTL shipping method is suitable for shipping large quantities of furniture or oversized items that require an entire truck. With FTL shipping, the whole truck is dedicated to your shipment, providing faster transit times and fewer handling points compared to LTL shipping.
FTL carriers offer services tailored to specific needs, including dedicated trucks, expedited delivery, and specialized equipment for loading and unloading heavy or fragile furniture items. Common FTL freight experts include companies like Schneider, J.B. Hunt, and Werner Enterprises.
Most freight carriers in this category provide comprehensive transportation solutions for furniture shipments, whether you’re shipping locally or across the country. This includes white glove pack and ship services much like those you’d receive from professional movers.
How to ship furniture FAQ
What is the cheapest way to send a piece of furniture?
The cheapest way to ship a piece of furniture is typically through a freight shipping service like UPS Ground. If you’re making a one-time shipment in your local market, consider renting a moving van and transporting the furniture yourself. When designing and building furniture, prioritize features that facilitate ease of transport and assembly to bring shopping costs down.
Is furniture expensive to ship?
Furniture can be expensive to ship. Even sending one piece of furniture often requires specialized packaging and handling due to its size, weight, and fragility, leading to higher shipping costs.
Can I ship furniture with USPS?
Yes, you can ship furniture with USPS, but it’s generally limited to smaller items that meet the size and weight restrictions of USPS shipping services, such as Parcel Select or Priority Mail. Larger items may require alternative shipping methods or carriers.