How to ship a heavy parcel internationally as a business

For a business, the right way to ship a heavy parcel abroad depends first on the weight of each parcel. National postal services cap parcel weight; above that limit, or when timing matters, international express takes over. A shipment of several parcels or a small pallet can still go by express, but it should then be compared with standard air freight. In every case, the final price depends on the chargeable weight, the destination, the service level and customs.

Which solution fits the weight of your parcel?

Weight and format	Common solution	What to watch
Within the postal weight limit	National post or express	With the post, transit times and tracking vary by destination
Above the postal weight limit	International express	Each service has its own weight and dimension limit per parcel
Several parcels or a small pallet	Multi-parcel express or express pallet	Volumetric weight and oversize surcharges weigh on the price
Heavy, bulky shipment	Standard air freight, or ocean groupage if timing allows	Compare the door-to-door cost, including customs and delivery

Express limits are set out in the conditions published by each carrier, for example those of DHL Express: maximum weight and dimensions per parcel, depending on the service. Beyond them, carriers apply surcharges or move the shipment to their freight service.

How do you ship a single 60 kg parcel to the United States?

If a parcel exceeds the postal weight limit, two options remain. The first is to split it into several parcels within that limit, which multiplies labels, tracking numbers and the risk of partial delivery. The second is to send it in one piece by express: DHL Express Worldwide and FedEx International Priority accept such a parcel without switching to freight.

For the United States, customs matters as much as transport. Since late August 2025, no shipment enters duty-free under the 800-dollar threshold any more. Every business parcel must therefore travel with an accurate commercial invoice, and you need to decide before departure who will pay the duties on arrival. The guide shipping a parcel to the United States covers the documents and options.

Express or economy: which service level should you choose?

Express carriers generally offer two international service levels. The choice depends on how urgent the shipment is and on the budget.

Criterion	Express	Economy
Indicative transit time, excluding customs	24 to 48 hours	Up to 8 days
Delivery time guarantee	Depends on the service	Not guaranteed
Example services	DHL Express Worldwide, FedEx International Priority	DHL Economy Select, FedEx International Economy
Typical use	Samples, urgent parts, documents	Planned restocking, shipments with no fixed deadline

The transit times shown are those of the OVRSEA parcel offer in November 2026. Customs clearance comes on top in both cases: a parcel held for a missing document loses the advantage of express.

What drives the price of an international parcel?

The rate for an express shipment adds up several elements. Knowing them lets you compare two quotes on the same basis.

• Chargeable weight: the carrier uses the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight, which DHL Express and FedEx calculate by dividing length × width × height in centimeters by 5,000. A light but bulky box therefore costs more than its weight suggests. See the guide calculating the volumetric weight of a parcel.
• Destination: carriers group countries into rate zones, and some remote addresses trigger a surcharge.
• Service level, express or economy.
• Surcharges: fuel, oversize parcels, dangerous goods.
• Customs and taxes on arrival: duties, import VAT and handling fees, paid by the consignee or by the shipper depending on the option chosen.
• Insurance, as an option, beyond the carrier’s limited liability.

Then there is the discount. Express carriers give their best rates to large shippers. A business that sends a few parcels a month often pays the published rate or a modest discount. A freight forwarder that pools the volumes of many customers obtains negotiated rates and can pass them on to each of them.

Which documents should you prepare for a business parcel leaving the European Union?

Outside the European Union, every parcel of goods clears customs at departure and on arrival. Prepare:

• a commercial invoice that precisely describes the goods, their quantity, value, origin and Harmonized System code (see the HS code);
• the shipping company’s EORI number, which identifies it with customs;
• the Incoterm or the duty payment option: paid by the consignee (DAP) or by the shipper (DDP);
• documents specific to the product, for example a safety data sheet for a chemical.

Perfumes, flammable liquids and devices containing lithium batteries are dangerous goods in air transport. They only travel with a service that accepts them, after checking the product class, packaging, marking and the shipper’s declaration. The 67th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations has applied since 1 January 2026. The guide dangerous goods and temperature-controlled cargo covers the preparation.

Can you bring in parcels from China or India by express?

Yes. International express also works for imports: the carrier collects the parcels from the supplier, in China, India or elsewhere, and delivers them after customs clearance. It is the usual solution for regular restocking of small volumes, for example a few parcels of packaging or accessories every week, when ocean groupage would be too slow.

On arrival, the receiving company is the importer. It must have an EORI number and obtain a complete commercial invoice from its supplier. Customs duties depend on the product’s customs code and origin. The guide importing from China helps you choose between express, air and ocean depending on volumes.

The same provider can also arrange shipments between two other countries, for example from China to the United States, without the goods passing through your own country.

How do you get a price for a business parcel shipment?

To receive comparable quotes, give each provider the same information.

Information	Why it matters
Weight and dimensions of each parcel	They determine the chargeable weight
Number of parcels or pallet format	It points towards express or freight
Pickup and delivery addresses	The rate zone and surcharges depend on them
Nature and value of the goods	They govern customs, insurance and acceptance of sensitive products
Ready date and desired transit time	They point towards express or economy
Party paying the duties	It changes the quoted price and the consignee’s bill

OVRSEA, a digital freight forwarder, ships documents, parcels and small pallets with DHL Express, FedEx and UPS, for export, import and between two other countries. You request a quote on the OVRSEA platform or by email, and the carriers’ offers appear side by side, sorted by price or by transit time. Our rates are based on the combined volumes of all our customers, with no volume commitment: they apply from just a few shipments a month. A business that already has a DHL, FedEx or UPS account can keep it and compare on a few real shipments. The same contact then follows its parcels as well as its ocean or air shipments.

Discover the OVRSEA parcel offer