How to ship large or heavy items internationally with DHL Express

While diamonds and petroleum products may dominate India's annual exports¹, many businesses are succeeding in the global marketplace by shipping large and bulky items via express courier. For companies exporting goods like automotive parts, machinery, or even large textiles, finding fast, reliable, and cost-effective international shipping for these items is critical for staying competitive.

Luckily, shipping these items doesn't have to be a slow or complex process. This guide will walk you through how to ship large items internationally with DHL Express and get them to your customers on time.

What is a large or heavy item for an international courier service? 

When you're trying to figure out how to ship large items, you might assume it's all about weight or physical size. For an international courier service like DHL Express, however, a package is considered "large" or "heavy" when it falls into a specific category that goes beyond standard parcel sizes. This means a shipment can be classified as large or heavy based on its weight, dimensions, or a combination of both.

What are the benefits of shipping heavy/large items with DHL Express? 

When it comes to shipping large items internationally, there are many advantages to using an express courier service over traditional freight. 

• Stability: Since DHL Express relies solely on air express rather than sea freight, it’s more resilient against some of the market disruptions currently impacting freight forwarding services, making it a safer option for businesses wishing to get their orders from A to B without any delays.
• Speed: With DHL Express’ Time Definite shipping, you can be sure your shipments will get to where they need to be, on time – whatever their size.
• Cost: DHL offers a stable, transparent, all-in-one pricing structure which removes the uncertainty of additional costs further down the line 
• Customs: DHL Express has extensive worldwide customs knowledge and experience. We know that a smooth and efficient customs clearance process helps your shipments arrive as quickly as possible. This service is included in your shipping price as standard.
• End-to-end visibility: You’ll be able to track your shipment and request notifications of its progress. Peace of mind for you and your customers.
• Customer service: Our Certified International Specialists have all the experience and expertise to find solutions to your shipping challenges, whatever they may be.

These advantages make DHL Express a valuable investment for businesses that prioritize speed, reliability, and transparent shipping costs for their heavy or large shipments. 

How much does it cost to ship large items internationally

For express fast international courier services, the cost is based on a comparison between two different types of weight: actual and volumetric. This means that to find the most accurate cost to ship large or heavy items, you first need to understand the difference between volumetric weight vs actual weight.

Volumetric weight vs actual weight

In your planning, package weight is a primary factor determining your shipment cost. However, how much large items cost to ship depends on more than just the scale reading; weight is classified in two ways when comparing volumetric weight vs actual weight:

• Actual weight: This is the straightforward weight of the package when placed on a weighing scale, including its packaging.
• Volumetric weight: Also known as dimensional weight, this reflects the amount of space a package occupies in relation to its weight. It is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of a package and dividing by a specific dimensional factor. 
  • Formula: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / 5000 = Volumetric Weight in kg

Carriers use both measurements to determine the final shipping price. The cost is then based on DHL’s chargeable weight model — whichever of the two (actual or volumetric) is greater.

Size and weight limits for DHL Express shipments

When planning how to ship large items, understanding the specific size and weight limits of the service you choose will directly influence shipping costs. For DHL Express, the heavyweight limits for a single package is as follows:

• Weight: Up to 1,000 kg
• Length: Up to 300 cm
• Width: Up to 200 cm

Note: Exact limits for pallets can vary depending on the origin and destination, so it's always best to confirm for your specific shipping route.

Choosing between express delivery and freight forwarding

Beyond calculating weight, choosing the right delivery service is critical. For customers, the decision is often just about speed. For your business, however, the choice between express and freight forwarding deeply impacts how to ship large items efficiently and cost-effectively.

Here's how to tell which is better for you:

• Express delivery: This is best for time-sensitive or high-value shipments. Choose this for urgent international orders, smaller, manageable pallets, or high-value goods like pharmaceuticals, automotive components, or apparel from India that require time-definite delivery, end-to-end tracking, and simplified customs clearance, all from a single, integrated network.
• Freight forwarding: This is suitable for large-volume, heavy, or non-urgent bulk shipments where cost-per-kilogram is the primary concern over speed. This is a common choice for shipping large quantities of raw materials or heavy machinery from India when you have flexible delivery timelines and are managing multiple logistics providers.

How express delivery enables Just-in-Time (JIT) shipping for heavy and bulky items

For businesses dealing with heavy or oversized goods, managing inventory can be a significant challenge. Warehousing large machinery, bulky furniture, or an excess of automotive parts is not only expensive but also inefficient, tying up valuable capital and physical space. This is where Just-in-Time (JIT) shipping via an international courier service like DHL Express can help businesses save cost and streamline operations.

Instead of holding large, costly stock in a warehouse, a JIT model allows you to move goods only when they are needed for production or a customer order. Express shipping is essential for ensuring that your bulky goods arrive precisely on schedule.

JIT shipping offers several key benefits for businesses that ship heavy items:

• Reduced Warehousing Costs: You can significantly lower or even eliminate the need for expensive warehouse space to store bulky items.
• Improved Cash Flow: Capital isn't tied up in slow-moving, heavy inventory, freeing up funds for other business operations.
• Increased Flexibility: You can respond quickly to a change in customer demand without being stuck with a large quantity of outdated stock.

Tips on packing heavy or large items for international shipping

For shipping heavy items on pallets via international courier service, proper preparation is key to ensuring they arrive safely and clear customs without delay. Here are some best practices for Indian businesses:

• Secure your cargo: Stack boxes in columns, ensuring they do not overhang the pallet edges. Use high-quality stretch wrap to tightly secure the entire pallet load, and add corner protectors to prevent damage to cartons. This is especially important for goods like boxed textiles, handicrafts, or automotive components.
• Distribute weight evenly: Place heavier items at the bottom of the pallet and lighter ones on top, aiming for an even, flat top surface. This prevents the load from becoming unstable during transit, which is crucial for the safety of your goods and our handlers.
• Label clearly: Each pallet must have shipping labels placed on the side, clearly visible for scanning. It is best practice to include labels on at least two opposing sides of the pallet. For international shipments from India, ensure all necessary customs documentation is also securely attached in a pouch.

Heavy, bulky or palletized items need to be packed in a manner suitable for express delivery. This packing guide has all the Dos and Don'ts of palletized shipping, so your goods get to where they need to be on time and without damage or delay.

Modern businesses must also consider their environmental impact when shipping heavy or large items. With four in five4 online shoppers willing to pay more for sustainable goods, it's clear that responsible shipping is in high demand and a key part of customer expectations.

Here are some practical steps you can take to build a more sustainable supply chain:

• Use recyclable and recycled materials: Choose packing materials for your large items that are made from recycled content and are easily recyclable by your end customer.
• Minimize fillers: Use just enough void fill (like recycled paper or biodegradable air pillows) to protect your item, avoiding excessive and wasteful material.
• Use right-sized boxes: Selecting a box that fits your large item snugly not only reduces the need for fillers but also minimizes volumetric weight, which can lower both shipping costs and transport emissions.
• Consolidate shipments: Consolidate multiple orders into a single shipment whenever possible to reduce the overall carbon footprint per item.
• Choose sustainable logistics partners: Work with carriers who have clear and actionable sustainability goals and offer green shipping options.

To take your commitment further, DHL Express offers DHL GoGreen Plus for carbon-neutral shipping. This service helps reduce the CO2 emissions associated with your shipments through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Customers can opt in per shipment and receive reports on the emissions reduced. 

You can learn more about building a green logistics strategy in our DHL Green Logistics Toolkit.

Final tips for shipping oversized items with confidence

Shipping oversized items can seem daunting, but it’s entirely manageable when you focus on a few key areas. By understanding volumetric weight vs actual weight for shipping charges, understanding how to package large items for shipping, and choosing a service that prioritizes speed and reliability, you can simplify even the most complex international shipments.

With DHL Express, you gain a partner that understands the nuances of shipping heavy goods. Our integrated network, transparent pricing, and expert support are designed to give you peace of mind, ensuring your items are delivered on time, every time.

If you're ready to partner with a leader in international logistics, open a DHL Express business account today, and let's get your large items moving.

Frequently asked questions about shipping large items