How to ship an umbrella is relatively simple if you put it in the proper case and surround it with packing peanuts. Get everything in place to ensure the umbrella does not move inside the box during transportation. Find a good shipping deal, and there should be no problems.
Most people will buy an umbrella from the nearest store or online.
Whether you sell umbrellas for a living or have some unique models that everyone can appreciate, figuring out how to ship an umbrella is a challenge.
Sure, small umbrellas you can buy from any random store can be shipped in a tiny box and a bit of bubble wrap, but larger units require more care.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about shipping.
You will also learn how to find the best deal to ship your umbrella.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Prepare
- The umbrella you plan to ship
- Bubble wrap to protect it against snapping
- Original tube or long case for the umbrella
- Packing pallets to fill the void
- Plastic wrapping for the box
- Shipping box
- Tape to seal the box
- Shipping labels
- Money for the shipping costs
How to Pack an Umbrella
In this guide, you will learn how to ship umbrella safely and efficiently, like a pro. By following these steps, you can minimize the risk of damage during shipping.
1. Wrap the Umbrella in Bubble Wrap to Protect it During Shipping
First, ensure the umbrella is dry if you send a used umbrella.
If you have just used it, let it dry completely for a day, as it may still trap moisture in its mechanism.
If wrapped, moisture can cause mold.
Bubble wrap will protect the umbrella from snapping, especially if mishandled by courier employees.
While the whole thing is quite fragile, one part, in particular, is more likely to snap – where the handle connects to the umbrella.
Do not focus on this area only.
Get the whole umbrella wrapped, but use more wrapping around that part – you will need a few layers of bubble wrap.
2. Get the Umbrella in its Original Case or Tube
It is not a general rule because unless you sell a high-quality or branded umbrella, chances are it does not have an original case or a tube.
The same goes if you ship an old used umbrella.
However, if you do have the case, stick it in.
Otherwise, skip to the next step.
Get a shipping box – ideally, it should be long and narrow.
You do not want a square box because you would have to put too much filling in it – just a waste of money.
If you cannot find a long, narrow box, make one yourself.
Grab some cardboard and make a tube – you will need lots of tapes to seal it.
3. Add Some Packing Peanuts to Prevent Damage
Packing peanuts should go all around the wrapped umbrella.
Put some at the bottom, put the umbrella in, and add some more.
Close the box and shake it a bit – let the packing peanuts settle down.
Open the box and fill the void again.
Do it until there are no gaps left.
Ideally, packing peanuts should be tightly stacked around it so the umbrella floats in them.
4. Seal the Box
Use some tape to seal the box, especially if you made the box yourself.
You will need more tape layers to ensure it keeps everything together.
Insist around the edges.
Now, you need to wrap the box.
Wrapping protects against punctures or damage that could let packing peanuts out.
Wrap it a few times.
If you use transparent wrapping, feel free to grab a market and write fragile on the box.
If you use opaque wrapping, just put a sticker on top of it.
It does not guarantee that courier workers will be more careful with it, but it might work – play it safe.
Even if the package is thrown around, the packing peanuts in it will keep it safe – plus, there is nothing to break in an umbrella, especially if the handle is well-wrapped.
5. Get Shipping Labels and Send Them.
Finally, assuming the package is carefully packed, you will need some shipping labels.
Find a courier, get a good deal, and ship the umbrella.
Choose the shipping method first and look through the available options.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship an Umbrella?
Shipping an umbrella will usually cost between $5 and $20.
It depends on the courier you choose – each has different prices and packages.
It will cost more if you ship the box with a premium feature – such as overnight shipping or two-day delivery.
When most couriers charge for weight, the size is worth some consideration.
Luckily, umbrellas are not very bulky, so the weight will most likely be the only consideration in the price.
The Cheapest Way to Ship an Umbrella
There are more couriers, but USPS stands out with its relatively cheap rates.
Again, you can spend a bit more if you opt for faster delivery, but standard delivery times are not too bad either – it depends on how far you send the umbrella.
USPS will charge you for shipping labels, but there is a way to go around this extra expense.
Pirate Ship allows you to weigh items and print your shipping labels.
You will have to register, though, but you will also need your scale – if you sell umbrellas as a business, you will use the scale later on too, so it is worth the investment.
Printing these labels over Pirate Ship is free so you can save a bit of extra money.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, figuring out how to ship an umbrella is not that difficult.
Packing it is the most complicated part of the process, but this is pretty much it.
You have more options regarding the couriers, but using both USPS and Pirate Ship will most likely give you a great deal.
Packing the umbrella based on these steps will keep it safe during transportation, even if you ship it abroad.
If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it with others with the same security concerns.
