Shipping large, heavy, or oversized parcels costs significantly more than standard small-parcel delivery — and the difference between couriers becomes far more pronounced. Price, maximum dimensions, claims handling, and network reliability all need careful evaluation before you commit to a carrier for large or bulky goods.
There's no universal definition, but most couriers classify parcels over 30kg, or over 120cm on the longest side, as large or heavy items requiring specialist handling. Some carriers will not accept parcels above a certain weight threshold at all, routing them through freight services instead.
For eCommerce sellers dispatching homeware, furniture, fitness equipment, or large electrical goods, understanding each courier's size and weight limits before listing products is essential — you don't want to discover the limitation after an order is placed.
Parcelforce is one of the go-to options for heavier parcels in the UK. Their Express48 Large service accepts items up to 30kg and offers tracked delivery, making it suitable for high-value bulky goods. Their network is nationwide and claims handling, while not always fast, is generally straightforward for documented shipments.
DPD handles parcels up to 31.5kg and up to 175cm in combined dimensions. Their 1-hour delivery window notification system is one of the best in the market for customer experience, which is particularly valuable for expensive items where the customer wants to be home for receipt. DPD is a strong choice for items in the 10–30kg range.
Evri's maximum weight is 15kg, which limits its usefulness for genuinely heavy items, but for bulky-but-light goods — large boxes of clothing, bedding, cushions — Evri's per-parcel rates are competitive. Be aware that Evri's claims process is slower than premium carriers and their network can be inconsistent in rural areas.
For very large or very heavy items, standard couriers give way to pallet networks. Providers like Palletways, Pall-Ex, and TNT's pallet services offer tracked pallet delivery at rates typically starting from £50–£80 per pallet for UK delivery. If you're shipping large pieces of furniture, exercise equipment, or bulk trade orders, a pallet network is usually the right option.
A fulfilment centre with volume agreements across multiple carriers — including Parcelforce, DPD, and pallet networks — gives you access to negotiated rates you can't achieve as an individual shipper. PackPro's warehouse handles large and heavy goods and routes each shipment through the most appropriate carrier for the size, weight, and destination. Get in touch to discuss large parcel fulfilment for your business.