Shipping large or heavy items—whether furniture, machinery, or large retail packages—requires a reliable courier that can handle bulk, weight, and size efficiently. In this guide, we compare the top large item courier services in terms of price, size limits, delivery speed, and value-added features.
What Qualifies as a “Large Item”?
Large item shipments generally exceed:
- 30–50 kg in weight
- 120 cm in length or combined dimension over 300 cm (L + 2W + 2H)
These parcels often fall into the “oversized” or “freight” category, triggering surcharges and specialized handling.
Top Large Item Courier Services Compared (2025)
| Courier | Max Weight | Max Size | Delivery Speed | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Freight | 68–150+ kg | Up to pallet size | 1–5 days | Pallet shipping, tracking, freight class | Business, interstate |
| UPS Large Package | 70+ kg | Up to 274 cm length | 1–6 days | Residential delivery, commercial freight | E-commerce, heavy goods |
| DHL XXL Shipping | Up to 70 kg | Variable | 1–7 days intl. | Global reach, tracking, customs support | International bulky items |
| DTDC Plus (India) | Up to 100 kg | Domestic limits | 1–3 days | Fast delivery, large city coverage | Domestic bulk shipments |
| AnyVan / Shiply (UK, EU) | Flexible | Furniture-sized | Flexible | Real-time quotes, item-based booking | Furniture, appliances |
| XpressBees / Delhivery | 50+ kg | Up to 150 cm | 1–5 days | High-volume, business integration | B2B in India |
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Large Item Courier
1. Weight and Size Capacity
Not all services accept the same limits. Exceeding weight/size may result in:
- Extra handling fees
- Rejection of package
- Transfer to freight division
2. Pricing Model
Couriers calculate charges based on:
- Actual weight
- Dimensional weight (volume)
- Distance
- Delivery speed
Use shipping calculators on their official websites to estimate.
3. Pickup & Drop-off Options
- Door-to-door pickup: Preferred for oversized items
- Drop-off: Limited or unavailable for very large shipments
4. Tracking & Insurance
Look for:
- Live tracking
- Proof of delivery
- Insurance options for high-value items
5. Service Area
- Domestic couriers (e.g., Delhivery, DTDC) focus on regional and national delivery.
- International couriers (DHL, FedEx) offer global logistics, including customs processing.
Best Courier by Use Case
| Use Case | Recommended Courier | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping furniture within a city | AnyVan, Shiply | Real-time quotes, door-to-door handling |
| Sending bulky e-commerce parcels in India | Delhivery, XpressBees | Fast B2B solutions, volume handling |
| Shipping palletized items to another state/country | FedEx Freight, UPS | Freight-ready infrastructure |
| Exporting oversized parcels overseas | DHL | Customs expertise, global hubs |
| Bulk business orders with integration | DTDC Plus, Delhivery | API-ready, warehousing solutions |
Tips for Saving on Large Item Shipping
- Compare aggregators like Parcel2Go, Shiply, or Freightos
- Consolidate shipments if sending multiple items
- Use correct packaging to avoid dimensional weight penalties
- Schedule pickups during working hours to avoid extra charges
- Label items clearly with “Fragile” or “Heavy” stickers if applicable
Conclusion
Choosing the right large item courier can significantly affect your shipping cost, delivery time, and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re a business shipping products regularly or an individual sending a bulky package, understanding your courier options and comparing their offerings is key.
Ready to book? Use courier comparison tools or speak with a logistics consultant for custom quotes on oversized shipping.