key points:
- 222.5 million laptops shipped in 2020 and net sales continue to grow
- usps is an affordable way to ship your items domestically or internationally, even for laptops
- ups® ground is your best option if you are looking for the cheapest way to ship your laptop
laptops are an essential tool and used every day by many. In fact, 222.5 million laptops were shipped in 2020. So naturally, you’ll want to make sure your laptop is packaged securely, as they’re expensive electronics and no one wants a damaged package.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to ship a laptop safely and stress-free. Let’s dive deeper so you can ship laptops like a pro.
how much does it cost to ship laptops?
There is no single price to ship laptops. no matter what, the following factors determine the shipping cost:
- courier service
- delivery speed
- package weight
- shipping distance
- package dimensions
Ultimately, the weight of the package and the delivery destination are the key factors that determine the final price of shipping laptops. But you don’t need to worry about calculating these costs on your own; We’ll go over the specific costs of shipping laptops with the top couriers so you can see what works best for you and your eCommerce business.
shipping laptops with usps
usps is an affordable way to ship your items domestically or internationally, even for laptops. If you’re shipping a 15″ laptop, consider using a Medium or Large Flat Rate Box. A Medium Flat Rate Box is $16.25, while a Large Flat Rate Box is $22.65 without add-ons.
Say you’re looking to ship a 5-pound laptop from New York to Los Angeles. Below are the available options for shipping your laptop with USPS.
- 1 day express priority mail: $75.60
- 2 day priority mail: $27.95
- usps ground retail: $25.10
when it comes to shipping laptops, choosing usps flat rate shipping is your best option. For example, USPS Priority Mail 2-Day Medium Flat Rate offers fast delivery and tracking compared to standard USPS rates.
Now let’s say you want to ship the same £5 laptop but from New York to the UK. below are the options available to usps.
- international priority mail: $91.00
- international priority mail: $77.60
- priority mail box international flat rate large: $108.50
- express international flat rate box: $83.65
usps priority mail is your best option if you are looking for the fastest delivery service for your package. this shipping option costs $91.00 and offers a delivery time of 3-5 business days. although if you are looking for the cheapest shipping option, international priority mail is the best option.
Connecting with a reliable shipping platform can help you save big when it comes to shipping. For example, EasyShip saves users up to 91% off discounted USPS shipping rates. Plus, get 24/7 customer support from our team of shipping experts so you can have a stress-free shipping experience.
let’s say you want to ship the same £5 laptop from new york to los angeles. Below are the shipping rates available using easyship’s free shipping rate calculator.
As we can see, it costs $22.71 for a 5-pound laptop with USPS Priority Mail and offers a lead time of 1 to 3 business days. Plus, you’ll receive over $15 in savings. Alternatively, USPS Media costs $6.34 for the same shipment and offers a lead time of 2 to 10 business days.
Whether you’re shipping domestic or international, easyship can help you save big when it comes to shipping laptops. our network of leading international couriers can help you achieve global growth while keeping customers satisfied.
shipping laptops with ups
ups offers fast and reliable shipping for your domestic and international packages.
let’s say you want to ship a £5 laptop from new york to los angeles. Below are the rates available to ship your laptop nationwide.
- ups® ground: $20.85
- ups next day air®: $122.19
- ups 2nd day air®: $65.14
ups® ground is your best option if you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship your laptop. Although UPS Next Day Air® can deliver your laptop to your destination for a higher price.
Now, let’s say you’re shipping your laptop from New York to the UK. Below are the rates for shipping your laptop with UPS.
- ups worldwide express plus® : $270.03
- ups saver® : $222.30
- ups worldwide express® : $225.53
- ups worldwide accelerated® : $202.69
As we can see, you’ll pay quite a bit of money to ship your laptop abroad. Alternatively, easyship saves users up to 86% off UPS shipping. that means you can continue to use ups for your shipping laptops, but at a bulk discount.
let’s say you want to ship the same £5 laptop from new york to los angeles. Below are the shipping rates using our free shipping rate calculator.
As we can see, it costs $14.31 to ship a 5-pound laptop from NY to LA with UPS® Ground. That means you’ll save nearly $6 to ship the same UPS package but with Easyship instead. On the other hand, it costs $55.86 for UPS Next Day Air® and $27.28 for UPS 2nd Day Air®.
now let’s say you send the same 5 pound package but from new york to london. Below are the rates calculated using our free shipping rate calculator.
As we can see, it costs $48.67 to ship with UPS Worldwide Expedited®. Plus, this shipping option offers a delivery lead time of 2 business days and offers excellent tracking.
Overall, if you’re looking for the cheapest, fastest or best value fares, easyship can offer you large volume discounts no matter the size of your eCommerce business.
shipping laptops with fedex
fedex is one of the world’s largest courier services that you can trust to ship your laptop smoothly and safely.
let’s say you want to ship a £5 laptop from new york to los angeles. Fedex shipping rates are shown below.
- fedex first night: $169.95
- fedex 2 days: $75.79
- fedex express saver : $61.66
although shipping costs are high, fedex express saver is your best option if you are looking for the cheapest fedex shipping service from new york to los angeles. On the other hand, you can also choose fedex overnight first, but you will pay an arm and a leg only on shipping.
now let’s take a look at shipping a £5 laptop from new york to the uk. Below are the available rates:
- fedex international first: $287.22
- fedex international priority: $232.59
- fedex international economy : $209.79
fedex offers a reliable service, but costs more than other major couriers like usps and ups. Alternatively, easyship can save you up to 91% on over 250 courier services. That way, you can choose from our extensive global network while saving big.
how to pack laptops for shipping
Whenever you’re shipping fragile items like laptops, you’ll want to take the proper precautions.
1. choose the correct box
You can’t just choose any box when shipping laptops, especially if you want to avoid damage in transit. that means you want to make sure you select a case that can comfortably fit your laptop.
Ideally, you want a case that’s slightly larger than the laptop, so there’s enough room for cushioning padding on all sides of the laptop. the laptop shouldn’t be able to move when you shake the case, so you’ll want to leave at least two inches of space between the laptop and the walls of the case.
uline sells corrugated boxes perfect for shipping laptops or other electronic equipment. for example, you’ll pay as little as 69 cents per case for your laptop.
You’ll also want to include a second box to place your laptop in, otherwise known as your shipping box. This further prevents your laptop from moving around during transit. Without this second box, your laptop runs the risk of moving around in transit, and it could be damaged. Plus, don’t forget to fill in any empty spaces with cushioning filler.
2. secure your package
Choosing the right case is essential, but you’ll also need to include the proper packing supplies to secure your laptop in its case. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and plastic wrap are your best friends when it comes to packing your laptop safely.
Here are some recommendations when choosing packing supplies to secure your laptop in its box.
- Cushioning: Bubble wrap and packing peanuts keep the laptop in place and prevent jostling that can cause breakage
- bubble wrap Plastic: Wrapping your laptop in plastic can ensure the safety of your package, especially from any liquids or moisture. For best results, wrap your laptop in multiple layers of plastic wrap to keep it safe and protected from weather conditions
- Shipping tape: Although it sounds obvious, pack your laptop with shipping tape is like cherry on top of ice cream. be sure to secure your package with tape on all sides of the outer packaging
As long as your laptop is packaged in its proper box with the proper packaging materials, you’re on the right track to shipping your laptop safely. but you haven’t arrived yet.
3. label your package correctly
Before you start shipping, you’ll want to make sure you include a label on the outer packaging, so it’s clear that the package contains a lithium-ion battery. You’ll also want to have a “fragile” label to prevent damage during transit.
Without proper labeling, you risk paying a hefty fine if something goes wrong. so make sure you label your package properly and it’s all smooth sailing from there.
4. research shipping restrictions
Most courier services allow customers to ship personal electronic devices, such as laptops, that contain lithium-ion batteries. For example, UPS, FedEx, and USPS allow shipments of lithium-ion batteries as long as you follow their shipping guidelines.
Regardless of the courier, all lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods and must be labeled accordingly. Damaged or defective laptops with lithium-ion batteries are prohibited from shipping. This condition is because faulty or damaged batteries exposed to extreme temperatures can potentially cause a fire.
tips for shipping laptops
Laptops are expensive items, so you’ll want to make sure you put extra thought and care into packaging to prevent damage. In addition, you’ll want to consider such things as specific rules and regulations for shipping laptops with lithium batteries and the cost of shipping.
We all want our laptops to arrive safe and undamaged. so here are some tips to help you navigate how to ship laptops.
use shipping insurance
Shipping insurance protects merchants from lost, stolen, or damaged packages. Plus, it’s a great way to get some peace of mind about your laptop. It’s estimated that 5-15% of shipments don’t reach their intended destination due to theft or logistics issues, so having that extra protection is helpful, especially for high-value items.
most courier services such as usps, fedex or ups cover domestic and international shipments with a value of up to $100 free of charge. but, for high-value items like laptops, you’ll need more protection than that.
easyship offers users up to $10,000 in shipping insurance for any shipment. plus, users also save up to 91% on discounted shipping rates at over 250 courier companies. That means you can get the protection you need at no extra cost, all while saving valuable time and money.
follow lithium-ion battery regulations
You will need to pay attention to any special regulations as laptops contain lithium ion batteries. Failure to comply with lithium-ion battery regulations comes at a high price, especially if something goes wrong.
Major couriers such as fedex, ups and usps require that you label your shipment on the outer packaging. this way anyone who handles your package will know that it contains lithium batteries. As long as it’s visible to those who come into contact with your package, it’s easy from there.
how easyship can help you ship laptops efficiently
shipping laptops is not a daunting task. in fact, it’s relatively easy to do as long as you pack your laptop safely. Also, you’ll want to make sure you can ship lithium-ion batteries with your courier.
easyship can safely ship your laptops while saving you valuable time and money. users save up to 91% on discounted shipping rates at over 250 carriers. easyship also offers up to $10,000 of shipping insurance on any shipment. You’ll also get access to features and benefits like the following:
- Free shipping rate calculator: access high-volume discounts from major messengers. plus, get instant access to delivery times from premium shipping couriers.
- easyship branded packaging: easyship provides a consistent delivery experience with your brand. add your logo and collateral to your packing slips, landing pages, and follow-up emails
- shipping policy generator : our shipping policy generator helps merchants and crowdfunding campaigns generate their shipping policy by providing tracking and insurance options, as well as other information vital to your shipping process
ready to ship laptops? sign up for a free easyship account today and start shipping
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