When you ship with a parcel carrier such as UPS, you’ll most likely encounter some sort of cost. These shipping rates differ from carrier to carrier, however. Depending on which service you choose and what type of package you’re sending, the UPS fees for that particular shipment may differ. That is why it’s essential to know whether or not your item will qualify for free packing services from UPS before sending it out. If you take the time to look into their policies and verify whether or not they apply to your shipment BEFORE sending it out, you can save yourself a lot of money! Even if your parcel exceeds its standard size and weight limits, there are still special services that can reduce the costs of shipping it with UPS. If a professional packing service isn’t in your budget just yet, let’s take a look at some examples of when a free packing service from UPS is available and also when it isn’t.
Will ups pack my item for free?
No, UPS doesn’t offer free packing services. You have to pack your products yourself and then ship them using a UPS service, such as UPS Ground. However, you can purchase packaging materials from the company’s website at a reasonable price. The company also provides packing instructions for different products and shipment types.
Why Will Not Ups Pack My Item For Free?
1. Only For Certain Items.
UPS offers free packing for certain products. If your product is not on that list, you will have to pay for the packing materials and then ship your product using a UPS service, such as UPS Ground.
2. Not Available In All Locations.
UPS does not offer free packing services in all of their locations, which are listed on their website. This includes cities and countries outside of the United States and Canada. If your shipment is going to a location that does not offer free packing services from UPS, you will have to pay for the shipping materials and then ship your item using a UPS service such as UPS Ground.
3. It’s Not Guaranteed!
There’s no way of knowing whether or not you’ll qualify for free packing services from UPS or if they’ll even accept your package if they do decide to offer it to you (especially if it exceeds their standards). That’s why it’s important to check.S. Postal Service.
4. Not All Items Qualify For Free Packing Services From Ups.
UPS does not offer free parking for all shipments, which means that there are certain items that you cannot ship using a UPS service for free. This list includes very large items weighing over 100 pounds and very large shipments over 500 pounds, including boxes and cartons with dimensions of more than 8 feet long and 18 inches wide.
5. Not Available For Every Type Of Shipment Option.
UPS offers free packing services for shipping 1-2 boxes or 1 package(s) per order. This means that if you choose to ship more than one item in your order, you will have to pay for the shipping materials and then send it using a UPS service such as UPS Ground, U.S Postal Service, or Canada Post parcel post (COD). If you want to use the free service, your order must also be sent via Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope (1-2 UPS Ground.
6. Inexpensive Boxes Aren’t Always The Best Choice.
UPS offers free box sizes for some products and other products that exceed the standard size and weight limit for a free box, we recommend using a more expensive packing material to protect your product.
7. It’s Not Always Cheaper To Pack Your Item Yourself.
If you are shipping with UPS and have to pay for the materials and then ship your item using a UPS service, such as UPS Ground, you will end up saving more money if you purchase a more expensive box from their website. For example: If you are shipping a package in an inexpensive carton, it is better to use a custom cardboard box designed specifically for that particular type of product. This will ensure that the product is properly protected during the shipping process and will also ensure that there is enough space in the box itself to properly cushion your product during transit. The same can be said if you’re sending something via airmail via UPS Ground.
8. Size And Weight Limits.
UPS does not offer free packing services for items that weigh more than 75 pounds or measure over 108 inches in length, width, and height. If your item is too large or heavy to ship using a UPS service, you will have to pay for the shipping materials and then ship your item using a UPS service such as UPS Ground.
How To Reduce The Cost Of Shipping With Ups
1. Consolidate Your Shipments
When you ship multiple orders or shipments as a single large one, you can usually get a significant discount. This is because you’ll often be charged based on the weight of your shipment and, if you’re shipping a lot of products all at once, there’s a higher likelihood that your shipment will be heavier. In some cases, you may even be able to ship your products for free. If you can, try to plan shipments that can be combined to save money on shipping.
2. Plan Ahead And Use Smart Tools
If you order a lot of products regularly and receive them in bulk, you can save a lot of money by planning your shipments in advance. This way, you can schedule your shipments to arrive at the same time and truck them together, which can reduce the number of shipments and associated costs. Also, make use of tools like shipping calculators and apps to help you determine the best way to ship your products to reduce your shipping costs.
3. Use Weight-Based Shipping
While this may seem like a no-brainer, many businesses ship based on the number of shipments they have instead of the weight of those shipments. This is common when shipping smaller items like books or DVDs. While you may have a set number of shipments you want to send out, if you know the total weight of your shipments, you’ll be able to get a better rate by using weight-based shipping.
4. Send Your Freight Ground-Only
If you don’t really need your shipments to arrive in a certain timeframe, you may be able to save a lot of money by sending them ground-only. This is usually for freight that’s not time-sensitive, like products you sell online. In some cases, you may even be able to send your freight without a tracking number. If you find yourself needing to ship products that don’t need to arrive quickly, this can help you save on shipping costs.
5. Choose The Right Service
If you’re regularly shipping products that need to arrive quickly, you may need to use a more expensive service. But, if you know the distance your shipments need to travel, you can use that information to help you find the right service for the best price. For example, if you need to ship to Florida, a service that services the West Coast may not be the best option. If you know what services are available and what they offer, you can make a more informed decision about shipping costs.
6. Adjust Your Shipment Based On Cost And Distance
If you have a few shipments that you need to send at once, try to get them all to line up as closely as possible. You can send a shipment to a nearby destination, then another to a slightly farther location, followed by a shipment to a much farther location. This way, you can adjust your shipments to balance out the distance and cost of each shipment.
7. Negotiate A Better Rate
If you’re sending a large shipment, you may be able to negotiate a better rate. If you have multiple shipments that you’re planning to send at once, you may also be able to negotiate a better rate. If you have a relationship with your UPS representative, try asking them if they can help you get a better rate.
8. Try Flexible Shipping Services
If you’re planning on shipping delicate items that need special handling, you may have to pay extra for a more expensive service. Luckily, you can use flexible shipping services to help you send your goods with less expensive, but still safe, shipping options. This can help you save money on shipping and, in some cases, even cut down on the time it takes for your shipment to arrive.
Conclusion
UPS offers a lot of different services for their customers, including a variety of different packing methods for your shipment. Knowing whether or not you qualify for a free packing service from UPS is key since it can save you a huge chunk of money. If you have any doubts, it’s always a good idea to contact UPS and ask. With that being said, when you’re shipping with a parcel carrier, it’s essential to understand how their shipping policies work. By knowing which services are free and which ones you might have to pay for, you can save yourself a lot of money.
