UPS Pallet Shipping Cost Calculator
Calculate Your UPS Pallet Shipping Cost
Get an estimate based on industry rates. Actual costs may vary based on your exact route and service level.
Estimated Cost: $0.00
Estimated delivery time: 2-5 business days
How UPS Compares
| Carrier | Starting Rate | Transit Time | Liftgate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Freight | $110.00 | 2-5 days | No (add $45) | Reliability, rural coverage |
| FedEx Freight | $95.00 | 1-4 days | No (add $40) | Urban areas, faster delivery |
| Canpar | $80.00 | 2-6 days | Yes | Canadian domestic, budget-friendly |
| Purolator Freight | $90.00 | 2-5 days | No (add $35) | Large Canadian network |
💡 Pro Tip: Book early in the week for better routing and faster transit. Friday pickups often mean your pallet sits over the weekend.
If you’ve ever shipped a pallet-maybe a stack of boxes for your online store, equipment for a job site, or inventory for a small business-you’ve probably asked: Does UPS deliver pallets? The short answer is yes, but it’s not as simple as dropping off a box at the counter. UPS does move pallets, but how they handle them, what it costs, and when it makes sense depends on your shipment size, location, and urgency.
UPS Pallet Delivery: It’s Not Standard Parcel Service
UPS is best known for small packages. You’ve seen the brown trucks with single boxes going to doorsteps. But pallets? Those are freight. And freight isn’t the same as parcel. A pallet is typically 48x40 inches, holds 50-150 lbs per square foot, and often weighs between 100 and 1,500 lbs. That’s way beyond what a standard UPS driver can handle alone.UPS offers two main ways to ship pallets: UPS Freight and UPS Ground for lighter, smaller pallets. Most people who ship pallets use UPS Freight, which is their dedicated less-than-truckload (LTL) service. It’s designed for shipments too big for regular parcel, but not big enough to fill a whole truck.
UPS Ground can handle pallets under 150 lbs and under 108 inches in length, but only if they’re properly packaged and labeled as a single oversized parcel. If your pallet is heavier or larger, you’ll get rejected at the depot-or worse, damaged during sorting.
How UPS Freight Works for Pallets
UPS Freight operates like other LTL carriers. You don’t get a truck just for your pallet. Instead, your shipment shares space with dozens of others on the same trailer. This cuts costs, but adds time. Delivery can take 1-5 business days depending on distance. It’s not next-day like a FedEx package.
Here’s how it works step by step:
- You pack your items securely onto a wooden or plastic pallet and wrap them in stretch film.
- You label the pallet clearly with your name, address, and a barcode.
- You schedule a pickup through UPS.com or call their freight line.
- A UPS Freight truck with a liftgate arrives at your location.
- The driver uses the liftgate to load your pallet onto the trailer.
- Your pallet travels through UPS’s freight network and gets delivered to the recipient’s curb or dock.
Important: UPS Freight doesn’t deliver inside buildings unless you pay for inside delivery or residential delivery services. If you’re shipping to a home, you’ll need to arrange for someone to be there to move the pallet off the truck. Most recipients aren’t prepared for that.
Costs: What You’ll Pay to Ship a Pallet
Shipping a pallet with UPS isn’t cheap, but it’s often cheaper than hiring a dedicated truck. Rates depend on five things:
- Weight - The heavier the pallet, the more it costs. A 200-lb pallet might cost $85 to ship from Toronto to Montreal. A 1,000-lb pallet could hit $300+.
- Dimensions - Even if it’s light, a tall or oddly shaped pallet can trigger dimensional weight pricing.
- Distance - Cross-country shipments cost more. Regional routes (like within Ontario) are cheaper.
- Service level - Standard LTL is slowest and cheapest. Expedited LTL (2-3 days) adds 30-50%.
- Accessories - Liftgate, inside delivery, notification, or appointment scheduling all add $25-$75 per stop.
For example: A 400-lb pallet, 48x40x48 inches, shipped from Toronto to Vancouver with standard LTL and liftgate service? Expect $420-$550. That’s more than FedEx or DHL, but UPS often has better rural coverage in Canada.
UPS vs. Other Pallet Shippers: Is UPS the Best?
UPS isn’t always the cheapest or fastest for pallets. Here’s how it stacks up against top competitors:
| Carrier | Best For | Typical Transit Time | Starting Rate (400-lb pallet) | Liftgate Included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Freight | Reliability, rural coverage, integrated parcel/freight | 2-5 days | $110 | No (add $45) |
| FedEx Freight | Urban areas, faster delivery | 1-4 days | $95 | No (add $40) |
| Canpar | Canadian domestic, budget-friendly | 2-6 days | $80 | Yes (on most routes) |
| Purolator Freight | Large Canadian network, B2B focus | 2-5 days | $90 | No (add $35) |
| Truckload carriers (e.g., TQL) | Full pallets or multiple pallets | 1-3 days | $400-$800 | Yes |
Canpar often wins on price and liftgate inclusion for Canadian routes. FedEx is faster in big cities. UPS is the safest bet if you already use them for parcels and want one invoice for everything.
When NOT to Use UPS for Pallets
There are times when UPS Freight isn’t the right call:
- You’re shipping a single pallet under 100 lbs-just use UPS Ground as an oversized parcel.
- You need next-day delivery-LTL doesn’t offer that reliably.
- You’re shipping to a remote area without a UPS Freight hub-check coverage first.
- You’re shipping fragile or high-value items-LTL has higher risk of damage during handling.
- You’re shipping internationally-UPS Freight doesn’t handle cross-border pallets well. Use a freight forwarder.
If you’re shipping 5+ pallets to the same address, consider a full truckload. It’s often cheaper per pallet and more secure. UPS doesn’t push this option, but third-party logistics providers can arrange it.
How to Prepare Your Pallet for UPS
UPS won’t move your pallet if it’s not ready. Here’s what you need to do:
- Use a sturdy, undamaged wooden or plastic pallet. Avoid cardboard pallets-they break.
- Secure items with stretch wrap or straps. Don’t just stack boxes.
- Label each item clearly and attach a UPS Freight label directly to the pallet.
- Include a packing list inside a waterproof pouch taped to the side.
- Declare accurate weight and dimensions. Underreporting = delays or extra fees.
- Remove any loose parts, wires, or protruding items that could snag during transport.
One common mistake: People ship pallets with items sticking out. UPS drivers don’t have time to adjust. If your pallet looks like a hazard, they’ll refuse it.
Tracking and Delivery Notifications
Once your pallet is picked up, you get a tracking number. But unlike a package, you won’t get real-time updates every 10 minutes. UPS Freight tracking updates at key points: pickup, terminal scan, out for delivery, delivery.
You can sign up for email or SMS alerts when your pallet is out for delivery. That’s critical if you’re shipping to a business with limited hours-or a home where no one’s home all day. Without a notification, your pallet might sit on the curb for days.
Delivery is usually to the curb or dock. If you need it brought inside, you must request inside delivery when booking. That’s not automatic. And if you’re shipping to a residence, you’ll pay extra-even if you’re a business shipping to someone’s home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drop off a pallet at a regular UPS Store?
No. Regular UPS Store locations only handle parcel-sized packages under 150 lbs. Pallets must be picked up by a UPS Freight truck or taken to a dedicated UPS Freight center-usually a larger warehouse facility, not your local corner store.
Does UPS deliver pallets on weekends?
Rarely. UPS Freight operates Monday through Friday. Weekend delivery is only available in major metro areas for premium services, and even then, it’s expensive and not guaranteed. Plan for weekday delivery.
What if my pallet is damaged during shipping?
You can file a claim, but it’s complicated. UPS Freight limits liability to $0.60 per pound unless you declare a higher value. For high-value items, buy additional insurance. Always inspect the pallet before signing the delivery receipt. If it looks damaged, write "DAMAGED" next to your signature and take photos immediately.
Can I ship a pallet internationally with UPS?
UPS Freight doesn’t handle international pallet shipments. For cross-border pallets, use a freight forwarder like DHL Global Forwarding or DB Schenker. They’ll handle customs, documentation, and final delivery. UPS can ship individual packages internationally, but not full pallets.
Is UPS Freight cheaper than hiring a truck?
For one or two pallets, yes-LTL is almost always cheaper than a full truckload. But if you’re shipping five or more pallets to the same location, a truckload can be 20-40% cheaper per pallet. Always compare both options.
Next Steps: How to Ship Your Pallet
If you’ve decided UPS is your best option, here’s what to do next:
- Go to ups.com/freight and click "Get a Quote".
- Enter your pickup and delivery zip codes, weight, dimensions, and service level.
- Select any add-ons: liftgate, inside delivery, notification.
- Print your shipping label and attach it to the pallet.
- Schedule a pickup or drop off at a UPS Freight location.
Pro tip: Book early in the week. Midweek pickups get better routing and faster transit. Friday pickups often mean your pallet sits over the weekend.
Shipping pallets isn’t hard-it just takes planning. Know your weight, prepare your pallet right, and choose the service that matches your timeline and budget. UPS can handle it, but don’t assume it’s the same as sending a box. Treat pallets like freight, and you’ll avoid surprises.
