How to ship furniture
How to ship furniture
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Shipping furniture
When it comes to shipping furniture, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Mostly because furniture types are so different—different shapes, sizes, styles, weights, materials, and construction. That means the ideal packing and shipping scenario is different from piece to piece. But there are some things you can do to make your shipment more successful, whether you need to ship one piece of furniture or a house or store full.
Prep to ship furniture: Here’s what you’ll need
For shipping furniture under 150 lbs.:
Furniture box or crate
Screwdriver for removing detachable parts
Cushioning, like foam padding or bubble packaging
Extra cardboard
Outer corrugated box
For shipping furniture over 150 lbs.:
Stretch wrap
Moving blankets for padding
Crate
Screwdriver
Cushioning
Extra cardboard
Outer corrugated box
How to pack furniture for shipment
Whether you’re selling items in an online marketplace and shipping them to another state or country, or you’re sending your own personal items, you need to pack your items so they get where they’re going safely. Follow these step-by-step instructions on packing to help protect lamps, single chairs, small rugs, end or side tables, and ottomans.
Choose the right furniture box.
A box that’s too large will cost more to ship, since price can be based on size and weight. A box that’s too small won’t allow enough room for adequate cushioning and padding. To choose the right box size, wrap the furniture first. Then measure the length, width, and height, and add 3" to 5" to each dimension to allow for padding. If the item has detachable parts, you can ship them separately if needed.
Protect all parts of the furniture.
It’s usually a good idea to break down furniture as much as possible before shipping. For example, remove lamp shades from lamps and detachable legs from tables, and wrap them separately. If you can’t remove arms and legs, wrap them in foam padding or bubble packaging. Pay attention to edges and corners and use extra foam padding on those spots. Put knobs, screws, and other hardware in a small sealable bag and secure it inside the package.
Pack the furniture.
Make sure the piece is stabilized inside the box. Use packing peanuts or other cushioning materials so the furniture and padding fit snugly in the box to avoid movement during transit.
Seal the box.
Using the H taping method, apply at least three strips of packing tape (at least 2" wide). Do this to the top and bottom of the box. Then tape all seams and flaps. Place your shipping label on top of the furniture box to increase the likelihood of it being shipped in the right orientation. We cannot ensure compliance with markings such as up arrows or "This End Up."
If you’re a business shipper and you’re sending furniture over 150 lbs., learn about our freight less-than-truckload (LTL) solutions.
NOTICE: This packaging information is provided to FedEx customers to help reduce loss or damage due to improper packaging. It is NOT intended to be a comprehensive guide for packaging items we accept for transit. We make no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding this information. Proper packaging is the sole responsibility of the shipper.
Deciphering dim weight
When shipping furniture, use the smallest box possible that will still provide enough room for protective packaging. That can help you save on furniture shipping costs, which we calculate based on dimensional weight—or dim weight. Dim weight is the amount of space a package occupies in relation to its actual weight. You’re charged based on either the dimensional weight or the actual weight of the package, whichever is greater.
Need supplies or packing help?
If you’re packing furniture yourself, get supplies like specialty boxes, bubble packaging, packing tape, and more at FedEx Office locations. If you need help packing an item, we can help with that, too. We have packing experts at 2,000+ locations.
Packaging pointers:
Give furniture a leg up so it arrives safely
Furniture goes through a lot in transit, including being stacked and shifted. Using the right packing techniques and materials can reduce damage.
Pay special attention to fragile furniture parts and areas that stick out from the rest of the piece. Use foam padding or cardboard corner covers to protect these areas.
If you can’t remove furniture legs before shipping, wrap them in foam padding or bubble packaging.
Don’t use bubble packaging or packing tape directly on delicate surfaces. Cover the surfaces first with packing paper to protect the finish.
If you bagged small furniture parts like knobs or hardware, tape the bag to an inconspicuous area of the furniture to avoid losing them.
Remove glass tops or other fragile pieces from furniture and follow our tips for shipping fragile items.
A suite of furniture shipping options
When you’re deciding how to ship furniture, the first thing to consider is the item’s weight.
If it’s under 150 lbs., you have more options. If it’s over, you’ll probably be sending it LTL freight.
Furniture shipping costs will vary based on the shipment’s weight, origin, and destination.
When you’re deciding how to ship furniture, the first thing to consider is the item’s weight. If it’s under 150 lbs., you have more options. If it’s over, you’ll probably be sending it LTL freight. Furniture shipping costs will vary based on the shipment’s weight, origin, and destination.
Shipping furniture under 150 lbs.
To narrow down your furniture shipping service options, consider how fast your shipment needs to arrive and where it’s going.
“I need to ship furniture overnight.”
If it needs to get there the next business day, choose one of these services from
FedEx Express:
- FedEx First Overnight®
- FedEx Priority Overnight®
- FedEx Standard Overnight®
These services are appropriate for packages up to
- 150 lbs.
- 119" in length
- 165" in length and girth
“I have more flexibility in my delivery schedule.”
If you’re looking for a cost-effective furniture shipping option that still arrives quickly, choose between these services:
- FedEx Ground® (to ship to businesses)
- FedEx Home Delivery® (to ship to residential addresses)
These services are appropriate for packages up to:
- 150 lbs.
- 108" in length
- 165" in length plus girth
“I need to ship furniture outside the U.S.”
If you need to ship furniture to another country, you can choose from one of our international services.
Most are appropriate for packages up to:
- 150 lbs.
- 108" in length
- 130" in length and girth
Shipping furniture over 150 lbs.
If your business is shipping sofas, recliners, dining room sets, or other heavy furniture, freight shipping might be your best choice. LTL freight ships palletized products or packages that are too heavy for overnight or standard ground shipping. LTL is for shipments that only use part of the trailer space, so it’s an economical option for shipping heavy furniture to another state or to Canada or Mexico.
FedEx Freight® box: Simple, secure LTL shipping for a flat rate
Trying to decide how to ship furniture? Want the simplicity of small-package shipping with the protection and security of freight? FedEx Freight box delivers. Benefits include:
- Two sizes available
- Accessible for any size business
- No freight classification required
- No reclass and reweight fees
Use our online tool to get pricing details and transit times.
Selling furniture online?
Compare shipping options to find the one that balances cost and speed, whether you’re sending an ottoman to Ottawa or a chair to Charleston.
Reduce furniture damage and returns
Whether you’re shipping furniture to another state or all the way across the country, you know protective packaging is critical. Our packaging lab offers package and material testing to help ensure your product gets where it’s going in the same shape it was in when you shipped it.
Ready to ship?
Use your FedEx account or log in as a guest. Have your shipping info ready and your credit card handy.
Have one of our couriers pick up your shipment from your home or office for a small fee.
Drop off your shipment at a FedEx® Drop Box, FedEx Office location, or other participating retailer.
Calling all businesses: Sign up and save
When you open a new FedEx account, you can save 20% on FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shipments and up to 70% on FedEx Freight LTL services.
Helpful resources
With FedEx Delivery Manager®, you can get tracking details and alerts about your
furniture delivery, and even have it held for pickup at a secure location.
With FedEx Delivery Manager®, you can get tracking details and alerts about your furniture delivery, and even have it held for pickup at a secure location.
Download our free mobile app to track and manage your furniture shipments, create shipping labels, and get alerts.
Want to learn more about shipping specialty items? Check out our How-to Hub
for guides and tutorials for shipping everything from cupcakes to computers.
Want to learn more about shipping specialty items? Check out our How-to Hub for guides and tutorials for shipping everything from cupcakes to computers.
FAQs about shipping furniture
How much does it cost to ship furniture?
The easy answer is, it depends. Just like shipping boxes across country or internationally, a lot of factors influence furniture shipping costs, including the size and weight of your package, where it’s being sent from, where it’s going, and how quickly you need it delivered. Our rate tool is a good place to start when estimating shipping furniture costs.
How much does furniture weigh?
Knowing this will help you choose the right furniture shipping service. Here are the average weights of common household furniture pieces. These are general guidelines only. Weights vary a lot based on the size, materials, and construction of the furniture. Because of that, we can’t guarantee that this info is correct for your specific piece of furniture.
| Item | Average weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|
| Armchair | 85–100 |
| Computer or tabletop desk | 75–120 |
| Dining chair | 15–20 |
| Dining room table | 100 |
| End table or nightstand | 5–65 |
| Four-drawer dresser | 100 |
| Item | Average weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|
| Lamp | 5 |
| Ottoman |
50 |
| Queen-size mattress | 100 |
| Recliner | 125 |
| Rug | 75–150 |
Can I ship a mattress through FedEx?
Yes, you can. If you’re shipping a mattress, you must pack it in a mattress shipping box. We also recommend that you pack it in heavy-duty plastic before you box and ship it. How much does it cost to ship a mattress? That varies based on size, weight, shipping service, and shipping speed. Most mattresses are cost-prohibitive to ship.
Does FedEx ship pianos?
No, FedEx does not currently ship pianos through any of our shipping services.
How do I pack a rug for shipping?
Ideally, roll your rug around a cardboard rug core, which is a tube that helps it stay stable and prevents bending during transport. Then pack the rug in an appropriate box and attach the label to the box. Using this method will go a long way toward helping ensure the safety of your shipment.
If you’re shipping a rug in a bag, we still recommend using a rug core. Choose a heavy-duty plastic bag and wrap it with plastic packing tape. Ensure the bag is sealed tightly and securely and attach the appropriate label to the bag. Using either of these packing methods should ensure that your label stays affixed to the package. We don’t recommend shipping rugs that aren’t boxed or bagged. Learn more about labeling rugs and other specialty items.
How can I get help with shipping furniture overseas?
Answer a few questions about your shipment, and our FedEx International Shipping Assist app will return your harmonized code, estimated cost, and all the documents you need to make sure your furniture reaches its international destination without unnecessary delays.
Do I need insurance when shipping antiques or other valuable furniture?
You can purchase insurance from a third party, but you can’t purchase it from FedEx. We have a standard $100 limit of liability, and you have the option to declare a value to reflect an amount that exceeds that $100 when you create your shipment.