If you're shipping an oddly-shaped item such as a tire, skis, or a guitar, you won't be able to fit them in standard rectangular packaging. UPS considers these types of items irregular packages, and you'll need to follow certain guidelines for packing them before you ship.
Select the "Irregular Package" checkbox: Before you do anything, the first step is to select the "Irregular Package" checkbox underneath the Extra Services tab when creating your label.
Here's how that looks:
Packing Irregularly Shaped Items
Here are examples of how to pack some irregularly shaped items, from the UPS website:
Tires
Wrap it with Tape: Apply a wide band of pressure-sensitive tape through the center of the tire and then completely around the body of the tire, so the tape attaches to itself
Sticking on Your Label: Affix your label to the strip of tape where it covers the tread of the tire
Cover Your Label: Apply clear tape to the top of your label to keep it from getting scratched if the tire rolls
Fabric, wallpaper, rugs, and tapestries
Use a Large Box: Pack your rolled goods in a brand-new, corrugated cardboard box large enough to fit your whole item
Using a Plastic Bag: If you ship your fabric or wallpaper roll in a plastic bag, be sure to use a bag with a minimum thickness of six millimeters.
Make sure to wrap the bag as tight as possible and tape it against the roll to reduce the risk of tearing
Affix the Label to a Flat Surface: Tape your label on the flattest surface of the item that you are shipping, and cover the whole label with clear tape
No Flying Tags: Be sure to not use what UPS calls "flying tags" (these are tags that hang from the item you're shipping)
Using Duplicate Labels: Place any duplicate labels inside roll cores or between top layers of material
Bare metals
Cover the Sharp Edges: Tape corrugated cardboard pieces to all sharp or protruding edges for protection
Cover all the other surfaces of the item with cardboard pieces as needed
Affixing Your Label: Tape your label on the flattest surface of the item, and cover the entire label with clear tape
Avoid Flying Tags: Don't use any "flying tags" that are attached by metal or string
Large packages
Use Unused Boxes: In general, you want to use brand-new corrugated boxes that are strong and haven't been used yet when shipping large items
Seal the Box: Once it's packed, seal your box with heavy-duty tape (preferably reinforced) by applying three strips to both the top and bottom of the box so the middle and two edge seams are sealed
Surcharges may apply to large UPS shipments
If your UPS package is over a certain size, you may need to pay a Large Package surcharge.
Large Package Surcharge Cost: The UPS Large Package surcharge is $73.50 for commercial destinations and $81.25 for residential addresses.
Minimum Billable Weight: UPS subjects Large Packages to a minimum billable weight of 90 pounds, and they apply this surcharge on a per-package basis for both domestic and international services.
Learn more about the UPS surcharges you may incur on Pirate Ship.
Domestic Shipments
For domestic shipments, the Large Package surcharge applies when packages have:
Length + Girth Over 130 Inches: The package has a length (longest side of the package) plus girth (2x width + 2x height) exceeding 130 inches
One Side Over 96 Inches: The package has a length (longest side of the package) exceeding 96 inches
International Shipments
International UPS shipments get hit with the Large Package surcharge when they:
Exceed Maximum Length + Girth: Large Package surcharges apply when the package has a length (longest side of the box) plus girth (2x width + 2x height) exceeding 130 inches
Additional resources
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