oversized-shippinggolf-clubsbicycles
Cheapest Way to Ship Golf Clubs, Bicycles, and Guitars (Oversized Items)
Oversized items trigger expensive surcharges. Learn carrier strategies for shipping sports equipment and instruments affordably.
January 9, 20263 min read64 views
The Oversized Shipping Challenge
Large items like golf clubs, bicycles, and guitars face:
- Dimensional weight pricing
- Oversize surcharges
- Special handling fees
- Limited carrier options
Size Limits and Surcharges
Carrier Limits:
| Carrier | Max Length | Max L+Girth | Oversize Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | 108" | 130" | >84" or >70 lbs |
| UPS | 108" | 165" | >96" combined |
| FedEx | 119" | 165" | >96" combined |
| Surcharge | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|
| Large Package | $95 | $87 |
| Additional Handling | $18 | $20 |
| Oversize (varies) | $125+ | $115+ |
Golf Clubs
Typical Dimensions: 48" x 14" x 12" Typical Weight: 25-35 lbs
Best Options:
| Carrier | Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | Standard | $45-65 |
| FedEx Ground | Standard | $48-68 |
| Ship Sticks (specialty) | Golf-specific | $39-59 |
- Use golf-specific boxes (USPS offers free Priority boxes for clubs)
- Remove heads if possible for smaller package
- Consider specialty shippers for frequent golf shipping
Bicycles
Typical Dimensions: 54" x 28" x 8" (boxed) Typical Weight: 30-50 lbs
Best Options:
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BikeFlights | $50-100 | Specialty service |
| UPS Ground | $80-150 | With oversize surcharge |
| FedEx Ground | $75-140 | With oversize surcharge |
| ShipBikes | $60-120 | Specialty service |
- Use proper bike box (bike shops give free)
- Remove pedals and wheels
- Protect frame with padding
- Secure all parts
Guitars
Typical Dimensions: 45" x 18" x 6" (hard case) Typical Weight: 15-25 lbs
Best Options:
| Carrier | Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | Standard | $35-55 |
| FedEx Ground | Standard | $38-58 |
| USPS Priority | Large box | $45-70 |
- Loosen strings
- Use hard case + outer box
- 2" padding minimum
- "Fragile" + "This Side Up" labels
Specialty Carriers
Golf:
- Ship Sticks: Golf-focused, competitive rates
- Club Glove: Premium golf shipping
- BikeFlights: Largest bike shipping network
- ShipBikes: Good for frequent shippers
- No major specialists—use UPS/FedEx with care
Packaging to Reduce Size
Golf Clubs:
- Ship in bag without travel case
- Compact club heads together
- Use tube-style packaging
- Remove wheels, pedals, handlebars
- Can reduce to 40" x 20" x 6"
- Significantly cheaper shipping
- Gig bag vs hard case (smaller)
- Detach neck if possible (electric)
- Use form-fitting case
Cost Comparison Example
Golf Clubs: California to New York
| Option | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full travel case | 52x14x12 | $85 |
| Compact box | 48x10x10 | $65 |
| Ship Sticks | N/A | $55 |
Insurance Considerations
High-Value Items:
| Item | Value | Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Golf clubs | $500-3000 | Required |
| Bicycle | $300-5000 | Required |
| Guitar | $200-10000 | Required |
Using Atoship
Get quotes for oversized items:
Atoship Advantages:
- Discounted UPS/FedEx rates
- Surcharges included in quote
- Insurance options available
- Specialty routing available
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