How to Ship Anything (2026): Real Box Sizes, Real Rates, Zero Surprises

These guides tell you whether a piece still fits UPS, FedEx, or USPS parcel rules, what a typical packed carton looks like, and which DimMath calculator to run before you buy a label. Numbers marked typical are not your invoice. DimMath does not quote LTL freight. If a group includes over-parcel-limit items, the card says so.

Electronics & Media

Laptop

USPS Ground Advantage or Cubic in a small rigid box

Weight band: 3–8 lb packed

PC Tower

UPS Ground when packed under 50 lb; USPS if under 70 lb and 130 in L+G

Weight band: 18–45 lb packed

Monitor

USPS or UPS Ground in original foam; 32 in+ often hits length triggers

Weight band: 8–22 lb packed

Printer

Inkjet under 20 lb: USPS; laser often UPS Ground by weight

Weight band: 12–40 lb packed

Gaming Console

USPS Ground Advantage / Cubic in a 16×12×8 in box

Weight band: 5–10 lb packed

Mechanical Keyboard

USPS Ground Advantage; poly mailer only for keycaps, not full boards

Weight band: 2–5 lb packed

Home & Furniture

Some items in this group ship as freight. UPS, FedEx, and USPS refuse over max length, length+girth, or 70 lb (USPS). DimMath does not quote freight — stop at the parcel refusal.

Sewing Machine

Domestic machines: UPS Ground; industrial heads may exceed 70 lb

Weight band: 15–40 lb packed

Small Appliance

USPS Ground Advantage under 20 lb; heavier mixers often UPS

Weight band: 5–30 lb packed

Area Rug

8×10 and larger: freight roll; 5×7 sometimes parcel if tightly rolled

Weight band: 15–80 lb packed

Sports & Outdoor

Camping Tent

Packed tent bag: USPS Ground Advantage; poles along the longest side

Weight band: 4–25 lb packed

Golf Clubs

Travel bag in a golf box — longest side often 48 in UPS handling

Weight band: 20–40 lb packed

Skis

Ski bag + carton; length usually over 48 in — handling likely

Weight band: 10–25 lb packed

Snowboard

Board bag in a 62 in carton; bindings off if they add girth

Weight band: 10–22 lb packed

Apparel & Specialty

Acoustic Guitar

UPS Ground in a hard case or double-wall guitar carton; not USPS-friendly length

Weight band: 12–25 lb packed

Wedding Dress

USPS Priority or Ground in a gown box — never a vacuum bag as the only pack

Weight band: 5–15 lb packed

Car Seat

Convertible seats: UPS Ground; check 30 in second-side handling

Weight band: 15–35 lb packed

Stroller

Folded umbrella: USPS; full-size often UPS and may hit length

Weight band: 12–35 lb packed

Hard cases

Some items in this group ship as freight. UPS, FedEx, and USPS refuse over max length, length+girth, or 70 lb (USPS). DimMath does not quote freight — stop at the parcel refusal.

Framed Artwork

Small frames: parcel with corner protectors; large frames often refuse parcel

Weight band: 4–25 lb packed

Wall Mirror

Small vanity mirrors: parcel; full-length usually freight

Weight band: 8–40 lb packed

Treadmill

Folding under 70 lb may be parcel; most treadmills are LTL freight

Weight band: 40–250 lb

Mattress

Foam compressed bags sometimes parcel; innerspring is freight

Weight band: 25–120 lb

Couch

Standard sofas: LTL freight. Loveseats may be parcel if under L+G max

Weight band: 80–250 lb

Heavy Item Under 70 lb

USPS max 70 lb; UPS Additional Handling over 50 lb actual

Weight band: 50–70 lb packed

Oversized Package Under 108 in L+G

Parcel possible; USPS nonstandard and UPS/FedEx handling likely

Weight band: varies, ≤70 lb for USPS

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Published 2026-Q3 rate database estimates, not negotiated account rates. Changelog.