Shipping oversized items can feel like a bit of a headache.
Whether your goods are awkward in shape or large in size, moving them from A to B can involve unique challenges. These include high costs, special handling requirements, and even different regulations from standard shipments.
So, how do you go about shipping large goods? Choosing the right methods and partnering with reputable service providers certainly helps. In this blog, Millennium Cargo guides you through how to ship oversized items successfully and explores break bulk shipping as a potential solution.
What Qualifies As Oversized Cargo?
When we talk about oversized cargo, we mean large items that exceed standard shipping dimensions and weight limits. The size of this type of cargo makes it too large for conventional shipping containers, so how to ship oversized items often requires specialised transport methods.
Common examples of oversized cargo include items such as heavy machinery, industrial equipment, large vehicles, and shipments of construction materials. At Millennium Cargo, we have moved some truly gigantic freight, including a jet engine!
Key Considerations For Shipping Oversized Items
Shipping large or heavy cargo? Planning and preparation are crucial in avoiding damage, delays and unexpected costs. Here are four main factors to think about when you’re exploring how to ship oversized items.
Dimensions And Weight
Accurate measurements are critical for selecting the right shipping method. Knowing the exact size and weight of your cargo enables you to determine the most suitable mode of transport, remain compliant with carrier restrictions and avoid unexpected costs such as incorrect freight class charges and last-minute rescheduling fees.
Proper Packaging
Heavy or large freight must be packed using robust packaging materials. Often custom in design, these packaging materials prevent costly damage during transit that can be caused by impact and environmental factors.
Regulations
Different transport routes and countries have varying rules surrounding size and weight limits, and failing to comply can lead to delays, significant fines, and even shipment refusal. How to ship oversized items whilst ensuring compliance comes down to doing your homework and knowing your stuff.
Permits
Many oversized shipments require special permits, especially if the cargo is travelling by road. Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on all necessary paperwork ahead of time is critical to make sure your shipment arrives at its destination safely and on time.
Shipping Methods For Oversized Cargo
Choosing the right shipping method is essential for ensuring consignments arrive safely and on time. Here’s a rundown on how to ship oversized items.
Road Transport
Road freight is suitable for transporting oversized cargo short distances or door-to-door. It requires special heavy-duty trucks and, in some cases, escort vehicles to ensure safety and compliance with road regulations. Moving oversized items via road requires meticulous route planning due to road, tunnel, and bridge restrictions.
Sea Transport
Moving oversized goods over the ocean is the most efficient way to transport consignments internationally. Break bulk shipping offers cost-effectiveness and flexibility for shipping irregularly shaped items that don’t fit in standard containers. Rather than being packed into a container, break bulk cargo is loaded individually onto a vessel and secured on deck or in the hold, ensuring that even the most awkwardly oversized shipments are protected in transit.
Rail Transport
Well-suited to transporting oversized goods over longer distances, rail freight can easily handle the weight and size of industrial machinery and construction materials.
Tips For Shipping Oversized Items
Shipping heavy, large or awkward items takes planning and expert input. Here are Millennium’s top tips for how to ship oversized items successfully:
Partner With An Experienced Freight Company
Our #1 tip for how to ship oversized items? Partner with an experienced freight company that specialises in oversized cargo. They will take the reins when it comes to obtaining permits, navigating regulations and choosing the most suitable mode of transport (so that you don’t have to).
Risk Assessments
Identify potential challenges by conducting thorough risk assessments. Understanding risks such as adverse weather conditions, handling issues, and structural limitations will help to prevent damage and delays.
Plan Your Routes
Make sure to plan routes carefully to account for road restrictions, low bridges or tight spaces and secure any necessary permits.
Use Proper Packing Materials
Using poor-quality packing materials that aren’t appropriate will not protect your oversized items during transit, resulting in damage that can be extremely costly.
Advanced Tracking
Technology is your friend. Use real-time tracking to keep an eye on shipments in transit. This will enable you to better coordinate your consignment and resolve issues more efficiently.
The Benefits Of Working With Specialists
Enlisting the help of freight experts like Millennium significantly simplifies shipping oversized items. From handling logistics to keeping you compliant, we’ve got the know-how needed to efficiently ship heavy, large or awkwardly shaped cargo.
Access To Equipment
Oversized goods require equipment such as flat-bed trucks and cranes. Millennium has premium access to specialised equipment that can safely move oversized shipments, ensuring they don’t get damaged.
Documentation
Our team makes sure things like permits and customs clearance are covered so that you don’t need to worry about getting it right. This means you avoid delays, penalties, and compliance issues and that your shipments arrive intact and on time.
Customised Solutions
Oversized items often require tailored shipping solutions, and that’s where we shine. We take care of the lot, from shipping method to routes and from securing your shipment to contingency plans, to make sure your freight reaches its destination in prime condition.
Ship Oversized Items With Millennium
Shipping oversized goods? Careful planning, the right shipping method and strong expertise are a must. With Millennium’s professionalism and experience, we ensure your oversized shipments are transported safely and efficiently; we handle everything from correct documentation and permits to specialist equipment so that you can rest easy.
Need help shipping oversized items? Contact us today to explore our specialised solutions, including break bulk shipping.