Key Points:
- Over 35 million mattresses are sold in the US each year
- You may also need to pay for oversized shipping charges depending on your mattress
- On average, mattresses weigh anywhere between 50 to 150 pounds and come in a variety of sizes
Mattresses are commonplace items that are uncommonly tricky to ship. Over 35 million mattresses are sold in the US each year. So naturally, it’s essential to know how to safely package these everyday items so people can continue to sleep comfortably.
Shipping a large mattress is more complex than sending a small parcel. This is because couriers impose surcharges on shipments that exceed their maximum weight and size limits. Added cost aside, it can be a challenge to prepare and package a mattress for the sendoff.
In this blog, we’ll go over how to safely and affordably ship a mattress without any stress. That way, you can seamlessly ship your orders.
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Mattress?
There’s no one-size-fits-all price when it comes to shipping mattresses. On average, mattresses weigh anywhere between 50 to 150 pounds and come in a variety of sizes. So depending on the size of your mattress, the cost will vary.
The following factors determine the cost of shipping mattresses:
- Distance
- Mattress size
- Mattress dimensions
- Courier service
You may also need to pay for oversized shipping charges depending on your mattress. Additional shipping charges for oversized mattresses also vary depending on the shipping courier.
Shipping a Mattress with USPS
USPS is a cost-effective way to ship most items, including a mattress. However, you’ll pay a $100 fee if your mattress weighs more than 70 pounds and exceeds 108” in length. Contact USPS directly to get your specific quote on your oversized package.
Say you want to ship a 70-pound mattress from New York to Los Angeles. Below are the available USPS services and example rates:
- USPS Retail Ground: $150.35
- Priority Mail 2-Day: $181.15
- Priority Mail Express 1-Day: $482.10
As we can see, the cheapest way to ship a mattress is with USPS Retail Ground. This service costs $150.35 and takes 2 to 9 business days. However, if you need expedited shipping service, Priority Mail Express 1-Day can deliver your parcel in no time.
Shipping a Mattress with FedEx
Unlike USPS, FedEx is more relaxed when it comes to dimension limits and weight restrictions. For example, customers receive an extra 80 pounds of weight before being charged an additional $100 for an oversized parcel. Instead, FedEx states that your package can’t weigh more than 150 pounds and can’t be greater than 108” in length.
Say you want to ship an 80-pound mattress from New York to Los Angeles with FedEx. The following rates apply for your shipment:
- FedEx Standard Overnight: $738.98
- FedEx 2Day: $593.78
- FedEx Express Saver: $474.32
- FedEx Ground: $161.54
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship with FedEx, FedEx Ground can deliver your parcel within 2 to 7 business days. Plus, FedEx allows you to ship up to 150 pounds, 80 more pounds than other shipping carriers like USPS.
Shipping a Mattress with UPS
Like FedEx, your package cannot weigh more than 150 pounds and can’t be greater than 108” in length. UPS also charges $920.00 for packages that are above the maximum limit.
Say you want to ship an 85-pound package from New York to Los Angeles with UPS. Below are the rates available for sending your mattress:
- UPS Next Day Air: $779.41
- UPS 2nd Day Air: $563.76
- UPS Ground: $166.64
Though this 85-pound parcel may not be subject to additional fees, you’re still paying a large amount on just shipping. Instead, connecting with a reliable shipping platform can help you save big when it comes to shipping.
Easyship saves users up to 91% discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers, especially UPS. We’ll use our Free Shipping Rates Calculator to calculate the shipping cost for the same 85-pound package.
It costs an estimated $90.18 for UPS Ground shipping with Easyship 一 with over $90 in savings. Alternatively, UPS Next Day Air costs $359.69 for shipping, over $400 in savings.
Related post: What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship Large Packages?
Things to Consider When Shipping Mattresses
The larger the shipment, the bigger the headache. Large items like mattresses cost more when it comes to shipping. Plus, you may even face limitations on which courier service you can use.
In this section, we’ll give you all the tips and tricks for shipping your mattresses without any hassle.
Additional Shipping Fees
Depending on the weight and dimensions, you may face additional shipping fees for your mattress. Plus, you’ll also want to invest in durable, strong packaging for your mattress so it can withstand any movement or extreme temperatures during transit.
For instance, you’ll pay a $100 fee for oversized packages with USPS. So, if you’re shipping a 75-pound mattress across the country, you’ll pay an additional $100 for the oversized package.
Establish a Return Policy
Buying a mattress online is easy, but the returns process can be problematic. Shipping costs and labor costs are involved when it comes to returning an item. So, how do you avoid this pesky issue?
Ninety-two percent of shoppers say they will buy again from an eCommerce store if the returns process was easy. Having said that, you’ll want to establish a return policy with your customers, so there aren’t any surprises.
Companies on average give customers a 90-day return policy for returning their mattresses. This way, customers can have a returns policy tailored to their eCommerce needs.
How to Pack a Mattress for Shipping
Large, oversized items like mattresses require extra care when it comes to packaging. You’ll want to consider purchasing durable cardboard boxes and cushioning materials so you can keep your mattress safe from any damage.
Cover your mattress with bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is your new best friend when it comes to packaging your mattress safely. Wrap your mattress in a layer of bubble wrap or other cushioning material before shipping your mattress away. Covering your mattress with bubble wrap prevents your shipment from any damage during transit. Plus, it protects your mattress from getting any dust on it.
Fortunately, bubble wrap is cheap and costs $79 for a 24” x 300’ roll of bubble wrap from ULINE. Other cushioning materials like packing foam also provide the extra protection that a mattress needs during shipping.
Choose the correct shipping box
You can’t choose just any box when it comes to shipping mattresses. Investing in a large, durable cardboard box is your best bet for safely shipping mattresses. This step is essential because sturdy boxes offer strength and stability for your mattress.
Companies like ULINE or Ecobox offer shipping boxes for your mattresses. So no matter if you’re shipping a twin-sized mattress or king-sized mattress across the country, ULINE and Uboxes can provide you with sturdy shipping boxes.
Shipping mattresses can quickly add up in cost. But, you don’t want to cut corners when buying shipping boxes for your mattress. So, no matter if you’re shipping a mattress across the country or just across state lines, ULINE and Ecobox provide support for your large, oversized items.
Fill in any extra space with packing materials
You’ll want to fill in any extra space with packing materials before you seal your box shut. Things like packing peanuts or other cushioning materials protect your package from moving around or from damage.
ULINE offers packing materials like packing peanuts so you can safely ship mattresses. For purchasing packing peanuts, it costs an estimated $27 for a 20 cubic ft. bag of packing peanuts. Alternatively, you can purchase packing peanuts at Label Master for about $24.51 for a 12 cubic ft. bag.
You’ll want to make sure you take all the proper measures, like adding cushioning materials inside your shipping when it comes to the safety of your mattress. After all, no one wants to sleep on a damaged or mishandled mattress.
4 Best Practices for Shipping Mattresses
Shipping mattresses, or oversized items, means you need to take certain precautions 一 especially because you don’t want to damage your item during transit.
We’ll go over the best tips and practices so you know how to ship mattresses like an eCommerce pro.
Look Up Mattress Specifications
Most mattresses weigh anywhere from 50 pounds to roughly 100 pounds. Major couriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx all charge a fee for oversized items like mattresses. However, major couriers vary in weight limit restrictions. So, depending on your mattress, the cost will vary.
Below are the dimensions and weight restrictions for shipping large items with major couriers:
- USPS: Packages can’t weigh more than 70 pounds and can’t be greater than 108” in total length
- FedEx: Packages can’t weigh more than 150 pounds and can’t be greater than 108” in length
- UPS: Packages can’t weigh more than 150 pounds and can’t be more than 108” in length
It’s essential to pick the right shipping courier when it comes to shipping mattresses. Say you’re shipping an 80-pound mattress from NYC to Denver. In this case, you’ll want to ship your mattress with either FedEx or UPS since they are more relaxed on weight restrictions.
Although not all mattresses go over the maximum weight and dimensions, always check the mattress specifications before shipping away.
Consider shipping insurance
Shipping insurance protects you and shippers against damaged, lost, or even stolen packages. Plus, it gives customers extra reassurance that their package is safe and sound.
Major couriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS offer up to $100 of shipping insurance for any package. Plus, you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you want additional coverage. That’s why connecting with a shipping platform can help save you time and money while offering the insurance protection you need.
Easyship offers users up to $5,000 of shipping insurance for any shipment. That means you’re covered in the case your package is damaged, stolen, or lost.
Opt for a scheduled delivery
Over 35 million Americans say they were a victim of porch piracy in 2021. Having said that, you may want to offer scheduled delivery for your customers so you can prevent the package from porch piracy.
Fortunately, USPS, UPS, FedEx, and other major couriers offer scheduled delivery services. That way, your customers can have the extra reassurance that they need from the courier services you love.
How Easyship Can Help
Shipping mattresses isn’t a daunting task when you choose to rely on a shipping platform to streamline your shipping and fulfillment process.
You want to make sure to consider things such as shipping insurance, durable packaging, and cushioning materials to protect your mattress from damage whenever you’re shipping large, oversized items.
However, this all costs money 一 and you still need to pay for shipping. That’s why connecting with a shipping platform to streamline your shipping process can help you save big.
Easyship can tailor a shipping experience to fit your eCommerce shipping needs, especially if you’re shipping mattresses. We save users up to 91% off discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers. Plus, we offer up to $5,000 of shipping insurance for any shipment, so you can rest assured your mattress is safe and sound.
Ready to ship mattresses? Sign up for a free Easyship account and learn how to send your mattresses with our global courier network safely
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