How to Ship a Pelican Case at the Cheapest Possible Rates
How to ship a pelican case is not that difficult if you follow all the steps in this guide. Lock and wrap the box and secure everything inside. Some couriers will ask for a box, but this is not a general rule. Get your shipping labels for free and drop them off.
Pelican cases are sturdy and meant to last forever if properly looked after.
When it comes to shipping it, whether you want to send it to a friend or you sell cases for a living, you need to research your options a little.
If you think about it, pelican cases are designed to be used in transportation.
So, do you need to pack it before shipping, or can you send it as it is?
Here is what you need to know about how to ship a pelican case.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Prepare
How to Pack a Pelican Case
In this guide, you will learn how to ship pelican cases safely and efficiently, like a pro. By following these steps, you can minimize the risk of damage during shipping.
1. Prepare the Pelican Case Prior to the Shipping
The case must be closed and less likely to open.
You would have to lock it.
Now, it depends on whether you send it empty or with something else inside.
If you send it empty, double-check the interior.
Pelican cases come with foam supports to ensure things are well cushioned.
Look at those foam supports and ensure they are well-fitted.
2. Fit Everything Inside, Unless You Send it Empty
If you send the pelican case with something else inside, you should try to get all the items fitted onto the foam supports.
With all these, handling may still not be perfect, as most courier employees will not care.
You have a simple option: add more stuff to keep everything fixed in the correct position.
Bring in lots of packing peanuts, as well as old newspapers.
Close the case and shake it a little for everything to settle down.
Open it and add more packing peanuts and newspaper.
Ideally, you should turn it over, swing it in the air and roll it around without anything to move inside.
Once it looks alright, lock the case to prevent people from looking inside or even accidentally opening it.
3. Wrap the Box in High-Quality Wrapping Foil
If you have seen people wrapping luggage in foil before flying, this is pretty much what you have to do with your pelican case too.
If you sell pelican cases for a living, it pays off investing in a large roll of foil – look for value for money.
All in all, wrap the box quite a few times over and over again.
You do not just want to prevent light scratches, but you also want it as secure as possible.
Ideally, the wrapping layer should be relatively thick to prevent all sorts of accidents.
A pelican case is used to transport things safely.
Many couriers will not require a box, but some will.
If you choose one that demands a box, make sure the box can accommodate it and fill it up with packing peanuts and newspaper before taping it off.
4. Get the Shipping Labels and Drop the Box off
Shipping labels can be purchased in a few ways – most commonly, from the courier you choose.
It is just an extra expense – your package will be weighed first, and since pelican cases are quite heavy, do not expect the shipment to be cheap.
Once the shipping labels are done, you can drop the box off.
While not mandatory, some people choose to insure such packages, especially if they also put expensive things inside.
How Much Does it Cost to a Pelican Case?
Prices vary based on the weight – a pelican case could weigh around seven pounds but also twice as much. Then, if you put things inside, the weight will go higher.
The bulky profile of a pelican case will also add to the shipping price.
Get ready to pay anywhere between $10 and $30.
It depends on what courier you choose.
It is worth double-checking everything upfront. Some couriers do not accept items if they are not in boxes. Some others will charge you extra if you refuse to use a box.
The Cheapest Way to Ship a Pelican Case
USPS is by far the cheapest way to ship a pelican case.
Inquire about the necessity of a box first to ensure you will not face any surprises.
You will need shipping labels – you can get these in two different ways. If you get them from USPS, you will have to pay for them.
However, if you ship pelican cases regularly, signing up for Pirate Ship pays off, which will give you access to free labels – as long as you weigh the case yourself.
You will also need a printer for labels.
Final Thoughts
In the end, figuring out how to ship a pelican case can be confusing because you have no idea whether or not you should get a box.
Ask the courier of your choice upfront – if they say no, ask if you will need to pay extra fees.
Besides that, it is a good idea to reduce your overall expenses.
While USPS shipping labels will not cost a fortune, there is no point in paying for them if you can get them for free – even better if you run a business and use USPS regularly.
Bottom line, if you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with others.
