If you’re planning on either buying or selling especially bulky items on eBay, you’ll need to understand the idea of freight shipping. This will be the way you’ll either send or receive your item when the sale is completed.
The following will cover the basics of freight shipping via eBay, including an idea of how much it costs.
What is Freight?
To begin, let’s clarify what eBay freight shipping refers to. And to do that, it’s best to start with the definition of freight.
A useful general rule to use is that freight refers to any item that the average adult would be unable to carry easily. So, for instance, a refrigerator would be an example of freight, while a folding chair or vacuum cleaner would likely not be an example of freight.
To get more precise, the major parcel carriers all have definitions of what falls under freight-weight.
- United States Postal Service (USPS): Either heavier than 70 points or with a length plus girth greater than 130 inches.
- United Parcel Service (UPS): Either heavier than 150 pounds or with a length plus girth greater than 165 inches.
- Federal Express (FedEx): Either heavier than 150 pounds or with a length plus girth greater than 165 inches.
Another term often used to talk about freight is LTL, an acronym meaning ‘Less than truckload.’ This means an item that doesn’t need dedicated transportation. Again, the refrigerator is an example of freight, while something like a boat would not be LTL.
Shipping Freight for eBay
If you’re planning on shipping a freight-weight item to a buyer, there are some options available. eBay offers a Flat Rate Freight option for repeat users. Otherwise, you’ll need to use a parcel service to ship your item, each of which have different rates.
An option always at your disposal is to use one of the big three carriers – USPS, UPS or FedEx. The downside here is that it’s going to be rather expensive. Another option is to look into local trucking and courier companies in your area. Often, you can secure a considerably better deal. The risk is that often these deals are going to be uninsured, so you take on more risk.
Another program eBay offers to sellers is a negotiated rates program. Certain carriers have agreed with eBay to offer discounted rates for shipping freight-weight items. You can enable this option on a sale, and then coordinate with those participating carriers.
Cost of Shipping Freight
The exact cost of shipping an item freight can vary significantly depending on the size, weight, and bulk of the item in question. You’ve also got to factor where it’s shipping to and from, as well as timing and a handful of other factors.
Shipping on a huge item can run into the hundreds of dollars, although it’s possible to find better deals depending on what the item is. You can use some shipping calculators to determine the expected cost, many of which are available free online.