Many people use laptop computers on a daily basis. It doesn’t come as a surprise that PCs are among the most shipped items. Despite being in the postal system regularly, shipping laptops comes with its unique challenges. If you are an online seller, you need to ship your laptops in the safest, most efficient, and cost-effective way possible.
In this article, you’ll learn how to ship PCs or laptops safely without stress.
How Can I Ship Laptops or PCs Safely?
Because laptops are valuable electronic devices, you have to make sure they are well packaged and the courier you choose fits your budget, handles delicate items with extreme caution, and guarantees a delivery timeframe. If you’re shipping other larger items, our article How to Ship Large Items is the perfect guide for you. Meanwhile, here’s how you can ship laptops like a pro.
Pack Your Laptop the Correct Way.
Choose the most suitable box.
When shipping laptops, not any box will do, especially if you wish to avoid any damage during transportation. That means you must choose a box that is large and sturdy enough to accommodate your laptop.
Ideally, the box should be somewhat bigger than the laptop to allow for padding filler on both sides of the device. The laptop should not shift around if you shake the box, which is why you should leave at least two inches of gap between the laptop and the box’s walls.
Corrugated boxes from EPE USA on Amazon are ideal for delivering computers and other electrical equipment.
You should also add a second box, which will be your shipping box, in which you will place the laptop. This also keeps your laptop from sliding around when you’re traveling. Your laptop may move around in transit if you don’t have this second box, and it may be damaged. Also, don’t forget to use padding to fill in any gaps.
Detach Cables and Accessories
Disconnect all computer wires, peripherals, and accessories. The monitor, mouse, and keyboard are all included. Organize all cords, untangle them, and place them in a compact bag or box.
To avoid straining the connector if the box is tossed around, remove modern graphics cards from the slot and ship them separately, outside of the PC case.
Keep your shipment safe.
After picking the right box, you’ll need to add protective packing materials to secure the laptop in its box. When it comes to carefully packaging your laptop, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts are your best bets.
Here are some suggestions for selecting packing materials to keep your laptop safe in its box.
Padding: Packing peanuts and bubble wrap keep your laptop secure and prevent it from moving around and breaking. Be sure to pad the sides, top, and bottom of your laptop. You have enough padding when the laptop stops moving around when you shake it.
Wrap in plastic: Wrapping your computer in plastic will protect it from liquids and moisture. Wrap your device in numerous sheets of plastic wrap for the optimal result in keeping it secure and shielded from the elements.
Packing Tape: Though it may seem obvious, using the correct shipping tape to package your laptop is like the icing on top of a cake. Make sure to tape both edges of the exterior packing to keep it secure.
You’re on the right path to safely transporting your PC as long as it’s put in its correct box with acceptable packaging materials. But you aren’t done yet.
Clearly label your shipment.
Before you begin shipping, ensure that you attach a label on the exterior packaging that clearly states that the item contains a lithium-ion battery. You’ll also require a “fragile” label to avoid any damage during shipping.
If you don’t label the package properly, you risk paying a huge fine if something bad happens. As long as you label your shipment accurately, the rest should go smoothly.
Find out about shipping limitations.
Most couriers enable clients to send personal gadgets with lithium-ion batteries, such as laptops. Lithium-ion battery shipments are permitted by USPS, FedEx, and UPS as long as shipping standards are followed.
All lithium batteries are deemed unsafe items and must be labeled as such, regardless of the carrier. Laptops with lithium-ion batteries that are damaged or malfunctioning are not allowed to be shipped. This is due to the fact that faulty or damaged batteries exposed to high temperatures might spark a fire.
What Is the Cost of Shipping Laptops?
Shipping computers do not have a one-size-fits-all price. Whatever the case may be, the following factors impact delivery costs:
- The Carrier
- Speed of delivery
- Shipping distance
- The package’s weight
- Package dimension
- Package dimension
Finally, the package weight and delivery location are the most important factors in deciding the overall pricing for shipping computers. But there’s no need to do the math on your own; we’ll go through the particular pricing for shipping PCs with major carriers so you can determine what works well for you and your business.
USPS Options
USPS is a cost-effective way to mail items both locally and internationally, including computers. Consider mailing a 15-inch laptop in a medium or large flat-rate package. Without any add-ons, a medium flat rate box costs $16.25, while a large flat rate box costs $22.65.
Let’s assume you’re shipping a 5-pound MacBook from New York to Los Angeles. The options for sending your laptop through USPS are shown below.
- Priority Mail Express 1-Day: $75.60
- Priority Mail 2-Day: $27.95
- USPS Retail Ground: $25.10
When it comes to delivering laptops, the best option is to use USPS flat rate shipping. In comparison to typical USPS prices, USPS Priority Mail 2-Day Medium Flat Rate, for example, provides speedy delivery and tracking.
Consider shipping an identical 5-pound laptop from New York to the United Kingdom. The possible options for USPS are shown below.
- Priority Mail Express International: $91.00
- Priority Mail International: $77.60
- Priority Mail International Large Flat Rate Box: $108.50
- Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box: $83.65
If you want your shipment to arrive as soon as possible, USPS Priority Mail is the ideal option. This shipping service costs $91.00 and has a timeframe of 3 to 5 business days. Priority Mail International is the best choice if you want to find the cheapest way to ship something internationally.
FedEx Options
FedEx is one of the major shipping carriers in the world, so you can trust them to safely dispatch your laptop.
Consider shipping a 5-pound PC from New York to Los Angeles. The FedEx shipping prices are listed below.
- FedEx First Overnight: $169.95
- FedEx 2-Day: $75.79
- FedEx Express Saver: $61.66
If you’re going for the cheapest FedEx option from New York to Los Angeles, the FedEx Express Saver is your top pick. You may also choose FedEx First Overnight, but the delivery alone will cost you an arm and a leg.
Now consider transporting a 5-pound MacBook from New York to the United Kingdom. The following are the current rates:
- FedEx International First: $287.22
- FedEx International Priority: $232.59
- FedEx International Economy: $209.79
FedEx’s service is reliable, but it costs more than other major carriers like USPS and UPS.
UPS Options
UPS delivers domestic and international packages quickly and reliably.
Consider shipping a 5-pound laptop from New York to Los Angeles. The charges for sending items domestically are listed below.
- UPS® Ground: $20.85
- UPS Next Day Air®: $122.19
- UPS 2nd Day Air®: $65.14
If you’re looking for the cheapest method to send your laptop, UPS® Ground is your best option. Though UPS Next Day Air® can deliver your laptop faster for a higher fee.
Assume you’re sending your laptop from New York to the United Kingdom. The charges for sending your laptop via UPS are listed below.
- UPS Worldwide Express Plus®: $270.03
- UPS Saver® : $222.30
- UPS Worldwide Express®: $225.53
- UPS Worldwide Expedited®: $202.69
Important Tips for Shipping PCs and Laptops
Both laptops and desktop PCs are costly electronic devices, you’ll also want to think about things like special regulations and limitations for shipping devices with lithium batteries, as well as shipping costs.
We all want our computers to arrive in good condition. So, here are a few pointers to assist you with shipping computers.
Invest in shipping insurance.
Merchants are protected by shipping insurance against damaged, lost, or stolen packages. It’s also an excellent way to give yourself some confidence in your laptop. Because an estimated 5–15 percent of shipments fail to arrive at their intended destination due to theft or logistics challenges, it’s a good idea to take extra precautions, especially for high-value commodities.
Most carriers, such as USPS, FedEx, or UPS, provide free insurance on domestic and international packages worth up to $100. However, for high-value things such as laptops, you’ll need better security.
Lithium-ion battery requirements must be followed.
Because laptops include lithium-ion batteries, you’ll need to be aware of any unique requirements. Failure to adhere to lithium-ion battery requirements can be costly, especially if anything goes wrong.
Labeling your package on the exterior packaging is required by major shippers, including USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Anyone handling your delivery will be aware that it includes lithium batteries.
