Ideally, goods and products can be shipped in standard boxes, but once the items are too large, they must be sent as bulky goods. Then you need special packaging to ensure that the packed objects survive the transport intact. Additionally, bulky items should not injure other packages or delivery personnel during transit.

Shipments that you must send as bulky goods include all large, heavy packages in unusual packaging that may have protruding parts or are particularly heavy.

Bulky goods also include packages and shipments that are:

• round or rounded,
• have bulges or protruding parts,
• have loose bindings,
• do not have stable packaging and/or
• consist of very large rolls.

Shipping Bulky Goods – Examples

Those who want to ship bulky goods must expect a significant additional effort in transport and logistics, which arises due to the non-standardized packaging. For example, bulky goods packaging cannot run through normal automatic sorting systems and must be sorted manually with much more effort. This also explains the higher shipping costs for sending bulky goods, which are charged by various parcel services through a service fee.

Items that you must send as bulky goods include, for example:

• Car tires or car parts
• Balls (unpackaged)
• Fitness equipment
• Crates
• Ladders
• Furniture such as cabinets or sofas
• Musical instruments (e.g., guitars)
• Bags

Shipping Bulky Goods Cheaply

If you want to ship bulky goods, it is definitely advisable to compare prices from different providers (such as DHL, Hermes, and others).

The prices and conditions vary considerably, as they depend not only on the maximum weight but also on the maximum dimensions ("girth"). Very large items can only be shipped via freight forwarders, who also pick up the bulky goods on-site – which is charged additionally.

For packages between 25 and 31.5 kg, for example, additional fees (in addition to regular shipping costs) of around 15 to 34 euros are charged by different service providers, the latter also including a pickup.

Some providers also charge an island surcharge.

Saving Tip

If you are shipping furniture as bulky goods, for example, you can send them disassembled in standard boxes. Heavy loads can also be divided into several smaller and cheaper packages. Also, check if a special rate is offered for your shipping item. This is often available for sports equipment (skis), car tires, or bicycles.

Shipping Bulky Goods – It's That Simple

Regardless of which service provider you want to use to ship your bulky goods, there are certain things to consider when packaging. Use sturdy cartons and suitable padding material for shipping. We will show you what to specifically pay attention to in the next section.

Shipping bulky goods correctly in a few steps:

1. Movable parts of the bulky goods (cables or similar) must be fixed with tape or cable ties.
2. Use edge protection to protect sensitive corners.
3. Now you need to pad the goods with suitable padding material and in sufficient quantity. Bubble wrap is usually suitable for this, which is wrapped around the item and secured with packing tape.
4. Now you can wrap the padded item with a sturdy carton, such as corrugated cardboard, and secure it with packing tape.
5. Finally, you only need to attach the correctly filled out shipping label and hand over the goods to the service provider (post) or have them picked up.

FAQ

Shipping Bulky Goods

This is also referred to as the girth. The calculation is done using the following formula: Length + 2 x (Width + Height).

What is the maximum girth allowed for shipping bulky goods?

The requirements of the providers differ here. Currently, DHL sets the limit at 3.60 m, GLS at 3 m, and DPD at 3 m.

Why is an island surcharge charged when shipping bulky goods?

Some providers charge an island surcharge as an additional fee when packages, parcels, or bulky goods need to be shipped to islands. In Germany, this includes, for example, the North Frisian or East Frisian Islands as well as Helgoland. The surcharge is due because the delivery deviates from the standard and the packages have to be transported by ferry.