Large Freight Services

The ability to offer large freight shipping capabilities to your customers differentiates us from our competitors.

Sunshine Pack & Ship^® centers commonly get inquiries daily from customers wanting to ship large items and multiple-piece shipments to domestic and international destinations. For these large freight shipments, we use carriers whose regular business is to accept and deliver these types of shipments.

What is “ Large Freight”, one might ask? We define it as any single parcel, box, unitized pallet or crate which is either too big or too heavy for the parcel carriers to accept. Specified below in the box is the limits for the largest size and heaviest package that UPS, FedEx, DHL and the USPS will pickup and deliver domestically.

Carrier	Overall Size		Max Length	Max Weight
DHL	56” x 36” x 25”		56 inches	150 pounds
FedEx	165 inches L+G		108 inches	150 pounds*
UPS	165 inches L+G		108 inches	150 pounds
USPS	130 inches L+G		108 inches	70 pounds

*70 pounds maximum for FedEx Home Delivery
Weight can either be actual weight or dimensional (DIM) weight.
L + G = Length and Girth

Due to the carrier size and weight limits for packages and freight, customers have a difficult time finding outlets who handle these types of shipments. For individuals and business people looking for a company that they can trust with their large freight needs, we say come to a Sunshine Pack & Ship^® center, the company with many years in large freight business.

Sunshine Pack & Ship^® centers have the know-how to ship large items across town, across the country or even around the world. The trained and experienced personnel there have the knowledge and the expertise to ship all types of items, along with the technology to safely pack valuable and delicate items to avoid damage while being transported.

Coupled with the ability to select a carrier most suitable; that is the advantage when using a Sunshine Pack & Ship^® center.

For a shipping estimate from a Sunshine Pack & Ship^® center near you, click here to find a location near you.

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Commonly Asked Large Freight
Questions& Answers

Why should I use Sunshine Pack & Ship^®?
Sunshine Pack & Ship^® is reliable, professional, price competitive and EASY to use. Sunshine Pack & Ship^® has partnered with some of the largest carriers in the industry to offer its customers pricing that cannot be beat. Some of these large freight companies with service in the US include:

• Long-haul motor carriers such as Roadway Express & Overnite Transportation;
• Regional motor carriers such as R&L Carriers;
• Padded van line moving of household goods and special products with Atlas Van Lines; and
• International capabilities with quality air cargo and ocean carriers.

How much will it cost to ship large freight?
Sunshine Pack & Ship^® pricing on domestic motor freight is among the best in the industry. We can offer you discounted class rates with many accessorial charges waived. In addition, Roadway waives the 500 pound minimum on HHG (Household Goods), the residential delivery charges, notification charges, among others.

I don’t know the weight of a large awkward piece. Is there a way I can estimate that?
Yes. You can estimate weight of most items by taking the cubic feet of a shipment (take the length times width times height in inches, then divide by 1728) and multiplying that number by 7 pounds per cubic foot. This is the industry standard used by padded van lines movers to estimate weight, and we have found this formula quite helpful in making estimates for all carriers as well. But remember, all weight estimates are just such, and all final prices are dependent on the actual weight of the items, as weighed on certified scales.

What should I do if I am unaware of the class of freight I’m shipping? Simply put, all shipments of used items, not new, will be classified as “Household Goods”, NMFC Class 100 for rating purposes. For items other than HHG, the easiest thing to do is call us. Our staff is experienced in determining the pro per class for your freight shipment.

What guidelines should I use when determining how much packaging is needed for a motor freight shipment?
If you pack your own shipment, you should pack it the same way for motor freight as if the shipment was traveling by a parcel carrier. Remember, because there is no weight limit to the packages carried by motor freight, packaging should be substantial in all cases to protect the shipment from other freight. However, if you do your own packing, Sunshine Pack & Ship^® will not be liable for claims for damage, and be fully released from any liability for internal or concealed damage, not apparent at the time of delivery.

What if I have something to ship that cannot be brought to a SPS location?
Just give us a call. We can arrange for you to not even touch it, by having our crew bring a truck and proper equipment out to your location to make the pick up.

How do I know when a lift gate is needed and if extra charges might apply?
When sending to a delivery location without a loading dock, any shipment containing unitized items, weighing more than 110 pounds, are subject to lift gate charges. With the Sunshine Pack & Ship^® program, you are able to choose a carriers who provides that service either at a reduced fee or at no extra charge.

What should the receiver know about the delivery?
All large freight carriers require that someone be present at the time of delivery to sign a delivery receipt. And if the delivery location is a residence, most carriers will require a delivery appointment. Unless special services are requested in advance, the truck drivers will not unpack or set up the items, or cart away any packaging material. When motor freight shipping is specified, the trucking company is only obligated to perform what is called “curbside delivery”, meaning that the receiver is responsible for assisting and/or moving the shipment beyond the truck. If the item must be further handled or carried inside a structure, extra charges for additional handling or inside delivery will apply. Any charges for services performed at the destination are the obligation of the receiver, and the carrier will look to the receiver for payment, unless previous arrangement are made, specified on the shipping contract, and paid for in advance of shipping.

Is the receiver responsible for inspecting the shipment upon arrival? Yes. Tell them to be sure to count and inspect the shipment and all its packages prior to signing the delivery receipt. Be sure to have the driver note any damages or missing pieces on the all his copies as well. If the shipment is insured, the Underwriters evaluate these notations, and use them to settle the claim. If a delivery receipt is not notated with any damage or shortage exceptions, then it is said that the shipment is delivered “clear”, essentially releasing the carrier of liability even if damages is discovered later. In all cases, a report of loss or damage must be called in immediately to the Sunshine Pack & Ship^® shipping location, and not later than 48 hours after delivery to substantiate a claim. Never move the shipment or discard any packaging material until after the carrier inspector has made his report.

How does Sunshine Pack & Ship^® handle international shipping?
We offer express, expedited or standard shipping programs by land, air and sea, with quality air cargo and ocean carriers who can deliver from a few days to a few weeks. Ever since Sept. 11 th, the industry has been very limited by the number of air carriers accepting shipments from parties not known to them, commonly called “unknown shippers”. Recently, however, some Sunshine Pack & Ship^® locations have registered with the Transportation Security Administration to accept these air shipments from those customers. Those not certified can nevertheless accommodate your international shipping via a surface carrier, by ground truck and/or LCL or FCL ocean carriage, at very economical rates. This service is a great advantage to you and your receivers, so check with the local Sunshine Pack & Ship^® location for details.

What documentation is needed for shipping internationally?
All shipments, other than those containing personal & business correspondence, will require that certain documentation be prepared prior to shipping. The following documents are commonly used in exporting; but which of them are necessary in a particular transaction depends on the requirements of the US government and the government of the importing country.

• Air Waybill, for air freight shipments, which can never be made in negotiable form.
• Bill of Lading, for vessel shipments, of two types: a straight bill of lading which is nonnegotiable and a negotiable or shipper’s order bill of lading.
• Commercial Invoice, often used by governments to determine the true value of goods when assessing customs duties.
• Consular Invoice, (if required in some countries) certified by the consular official of the foreign country stationed here.
• Certificate of Origin, a signed statement as to the origin of the export item, usually by a semiofficial organization such as a local chamber of commerce.
• NAFTA Certificate of Origin, required for products traded among the North American Free Trade Agreement countries ( Canada , US, and Mexico ).
• Inspection Certification, required by some purchasers and countries in order to attest to the specifications of the goods shipped.
• Dock Receipt and Warehouse Receipt, used to transfer accountability when the export item is moved by the domestic carrier to the port of embarkation and left with the ship line for export.
• Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) used to control exports and act as a source document for official U.S. export statistics. SEDs must be prepared for shipments through the U.S. Postal Service when the shipment is valued over $500. SEDs are required for shipments not using the U.S. Postal Service when the value of the commodities, classified under any single Schedule B number, is over $2,500. SEDs must be prepared, regardless of value, for all shipments requiring an export license or destined for countries restricted by the Export Administration Regulations. SEDs are prepared by the exporter or the exporter’s agent and delivered to the exporting carrier (for example, the post office, airline, or vessel line). The exporting carrier will present the required number of copies to the U.S. Customs Service at the port of export. Often, the SED is prepared as a by-product of another document, the Shipper’s Letter of Instructions.
• Export License, used to authorizes the export of specific goods in specific quantities to a particular destination.
• Export Packing List, considerably more detailed and informative than a standard domestic packing list. It itemizes the material in each individual package and indicates the type of package, such as a box, crate, drum, or carton. It also shows the individual weights and measurements for each package (in both U.S. and metric systems). Package markings should be shown along with the shipper’s and buyer’s references.
• Insurance Certificate, used to assure the consignee that insurance will cover the loss of or damage to the cargo during transit.

How do I know what documentation is actually required, or if there are any pertinent import restrictions?
Sunshine Pack & Ship^® Centers are only agents for you, the shipper. We require that you first provide us precise information as to the description of the goods, because slight discrepancies or omissions in any resulting documentation preparation may prevent merchandise from being exported from the US or accepted by the importing country. Sunshine Pack & Ship® shall not be liable for incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate responses given either by you, the shipper or receiver. If there is any question whether an item can be exported to a particular country, it is your responsibility to do any research and make such a determination. The following are recommended sources to provide such information:

• Export Assistance Centers (see http://www.doc.gov).
• The Trade Information Center (1-800-USA-TRADE).
• Foreign government embassies and consulates in the United States .

On international shipments, can the receiver pick their shipment up to save money?
Yes. In most instances, customers can choose between Door to Door delivery with customs clearance and delivery included, or Door to Airport/Port. By picking their shipment up at the destination point of entry (customs area of the airport or port of entry), prepaid charges will be less, since you will not be prepaying the destination fees, terminal handling, delivery charges, customs clearance fees, etc. In all cases, the receiver will be ultimately responsible for and must pay all VAT, duties and import taxes assessed by the governmental authority of the country of importation, prior to release of the shipment.

Does Sunshine Pack & Ship^® offer declared value coverage for loss or damage, not available to most shippers?
Yes. Many Sunshine Pack & Ship^® locations have policies which allow them to offers all risk cargo coverage to its customers, backed by some of the most prominent companies in the world, including Lloyds of London. For specific details, call any one of our locations for more information.

For a shipping estimate from a Sunshine Pack & Ship^® center near you, click here to find a location near you.

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