How to Ship a Mattress Across the Country - Alibaba Seller

Over 35 million mattresses are sold every year in the US, and some of these mattresses are sent down to international customers.¹ While most people now buy their mattresses online, it’s important to note that shipping a mattress is not like sending a shirt or a pair of sneakers. Mattresses are tricky to ship because they weigh a lot and can’t be squeezed inside a small parcel.

Thinking of shipping a mattress, but not sure how much it will cost or how to go about it? We’ve got you! In this article, we go over the cost and steps to seamlessly ship a mattress across the country.

Introduction to shipping a mattress across the country

You might need to ship a mattress across the country for many reasons. Perhaps you are moving to another country, sending a mattress to a grandparent, or selling a mattress to an international customer.

Whatever the reason is, it’s essential to choose an excellent shipping method for your mattress to ensure that you get it in great shape and condition.

Also, knowing how much it costs to ship a mattress is essential. It’s even a great idea to compare the cost of shipping to the cost of buying a new one to know whether it’s worth shipping your mattress. For example, if your mattress is very old and worth just a few hundred dollars, it will be best to buy a new one instead of paying hefty shipping costs.

How much does it cost to ship a mattress across the country?

Mattresses are among some of the biggest items you can ship, which means they incur high shipping fees. In general, it can cost anything between $200 and $900 to send a mattress to another country.

The cost of shipping mattresses also varies depending on many factors, including size, shipping distance, moving company, and packaging materials. Some of the significant things that will determine your shipping costs are:

• Size:

  The larger the mattress, the higher the cost of shipping. Mattresses weigh between 50 and 150 pounds depending on the size, and many courier service charges about $100 for mattresses exceeding 50 pounds.

• Distance:

  The cost of shipping a mattress varies from $0.50 to $2.50 per mile. That means the farther the distance you're sending to, the more you will be expected to pay. Shipping a mattress from the US to the UK will cost more than shipping from the US to Africa.

• Packaging materials:

  The packaging materials you use for your mattress can also affect the shipping costs. If you roll up your mattress, you will be able to put it in a standard box, which will reduce cost. If you pack it upright, you will have to add the total dimensions to the total costs.

• Courier service:

  Different courier services will charge different prices for your package. You can compare shipping costs between courier services to find the less expensive rate.

  In conclusion, you should expect to pay anything between $300 to $900 for shipping your mattress, depending on the size, location, shipping insurance, and packaging materials.

Also, consider using an online shipping calculator (some courier services have this feature) to estimate how much it will cost to ship your mattress. Most shipping companies will need the following to calculate your shipping costs:

• Pickup location for the mattress
• Delivery location for the mattress
• Weight and dimensions of the mattress
• Desired pick up and drop off dates

How to ship a mattress across the country

Large items like mattresses require care when packaging them for shipping across the country. Here are some steps to ship your mattress quickly and safely:

Step 1: Measure and weigh your mattress

As mentioned earlier, one of the things that determines the cost of shipping mattresses is the size. For this reason, weighing the mattress you want to ship is crucial to help the shipping company calculate the shipping costs. Also, the weight of your mattress will determine the shipping method type because some companies have some weight restrictions.

The standard measurement for your mattress is:

• Twin: 38” x 75” 45 to 60 lbs
• Full: 54” x 74” 55 to 70 lbs
• Queen: 60” x 80” 70 to 105 lbs
• King: 76” x 80” 90 to 125 lbs

If you have the packing slip of your mattress, you should be able to find the information on measurements on it. To measure your mattress, disassemble it from the bed frame and remove the bedding like blankets and comforters.

Step 2: Choose a shipping method

It’s crucial to pick a suitable shipping method for your mattress. You shouldn’t go for any shipping method you get without making some findings on cost, weight requirements, and insurance.

Companies like USPS won't accept goods that weigh more than 70 pounds, and companies like FedEx and UPS don’t take goods that weigh more than 150 pounds. If you are shipping a mattress that weighs 80 pounds, then USPS won’t be a great option because of the weight restrictions.

A good idea to find a shipping method is to make inquiries from multiple shipments. Enter the kind of item you want shipped, include the location, and add the measurements you took in step 1.

Step 3: Gather packaging materials

You can use different packaging materials for a mattress, but you should always prioritize cushioning materials like bubble wrap. Cushioning materials will protect your bed from damage, dust, and moisture during transit.

To safely pack your mattress, we recommend getting the following:

• Bubble wrap
• Tape
• Scissors
• Rope
• Mattress bag (optional)
• Cardboard box

*You can get these shipping materials online.

Once you get your packaging materials, wrap the mattress with bubble wrap and other cushioning materials like foam for maximum protection during shipment. After wrapping, please place it in a large cardboard box to make carriage and shipping easy. The more durable the shipping box, the better it is for the mattress. Also, try to fill up empty spaces in the cardboard box with clothing and foams to give the mattress little room to move around.

Some courier companies often offer these strong boxes you can use to ship mattresses across the country.

Step 4: Calculate shipping costs

After packing your bed, it’s time to calculate the shipping costs by requesting a quote from the companies you would like to send it through. You can get a quote from multiple shipping companies and websites to compare prices. To get an accurate estimated cost, you must provide information like mattress weight, size, sender’s information, delivery address, and pickup/delivery dates.

Step 5: Prepare the mattress for shipping

Once you’ve decided on the company you want to ship with, you have to prepare for them to pick it up or arrange a location where you can drop it. Some courier service will come to your location to pack the mattress and take it with them, so you don’t have to do anything. This can be expensive, but it’s a great option if you need help packing and transporting the mattress.

Don’t forget to wrap your mattress up, insert it in a mattress bag to keep out pests and put it inside a sturdy cardboard box. Also, seal up the edges of the cardboard with tape and keep it vertically until the shipping company cones for it.

Step 6: Choose insurance

Shipping insurance will protect you in the case of damaged, lost, or stolen mattresses. Also, choosing insurance for your beds will give your customers confidence that their package will arrive safely. Most courier services like FedEx and UPS offer insurance packages with coverage in case your package is lost or damaged. Paying for insurance can add to your costs, but it comes with many benefits in case your mattress gets stolen or damaged.

Step 7: Schedule and pay for shipping

Schedule a delivery date for your mattress and pay the company the agreed-upon costs. Scheduling a delivery date makes it easier for your customers to prepare for the arrival of their package. You will know the exact date your mattress will arrive, eliminating the chance of them delivering it while you are not around. You can choose whether you want the mattress delivered to your door or if you want to pick it up from their facility.

Step 8: Track and monitor shipment

Once you have handed over the package to the shipping company, what’s left to do is track your mattress to monitor its movement. Most courier services have an online tracking page where you can monitor your package in transit until it gets to the destination.

Step 9: Be ready for delivery

Once the delivery date is close, you should be ready to get your mattress! If you are picking it up, it’s best to pick it up immediately to prevent damage or dust in their storage. If they are delivering, ensure you’re home to receive it yourself.

Step 10: Unpack and set up

Now that you have your mattress, you can unpack it by removing it from the cardboard and cutting out the bubble wrap. If you use scissors, be careful not to rip the mattress clothing. You should also inspect the mattress for stains, mold, rips, and other damages.

5 cheapest ways to ship a mattress across the country

Are you looking to save some money on your mattress’ shipping costs? Here are some tips we recommend:

Consolidate shipments:

Consolidated shipment is one of the cheapest and most reliable options for shipping new mattresses. Insured professionals handle this type of shipment, often combining many mattress shipments to reduce costs per mattress. Consolidated shipments also offer services like insurance and packaging materials to make the process easier for you.

Off-Peak shipping:

Another cheap way to ship your mattress is by shipping it during non-peak seasons or weekdays to benefit from lower rates. The day you decide to ship your item can determine the cost. Some of the peak times for shipping are weekends, the first week of the month, and months between Labor and Memorial Day. Go for mid-days, mid-month, and less popular times of the year to save money.

Negotiate with carriers:

Don't hesitate to negotiate rates with carriers, especially if you're shipping multiple mattresses or shipping with other items. Ask them for discounts and rate reductions to see if you can get a lower shipping rate. Also, don’t forget to compare the shipping rates of multiple courier services to help you get the lowest shipping rate possible.

Use the right packaging materials:

Believe it or not, your packaging materials can impact shipping costs. It’s best to be mindful of the size of cardboard you use for your mattress. You don’t need cardboard that is too big for your bed because it will add to its weight and the shipping costs.

Online marketplaces:

Another way to save money on shipping is by exploring online marketplaces like Alibaba.com, which offers competitive rates and a wide range of shipping solutions. Marketplaces provide multiple shipping methods like truck, freight, van, and shipping pod, making sending your mattress through the cheapest and most comfortable option easier. Marketplaces like Alibaba.com also have affiliations with shipping companies to help sellers ship at discounted rates.

Sell on Alibaba.com

Shipping a mattress can be an easy job with the right shipping method. You can reduce the stress and rates of shipping a mattress across the country by following key steps like shipping with a reliable company.

Alibaba.com offers shipping services that streamline the shipping process so you can deliver a mattress anywhere in the world. Everything you need to consider when shipping a bed, such as insurance and packaging materials, will be taken care of by the associated carriers through Alibaba.com. You can also be confident that you will pay low prices and that your mattress will arrive at the scheduled date.

Remember that the opportunity to ship with Alibaba.com is available to registered sellers on the platform. You can create a storefront, manage customers, and arrange shipping from your Alibaba.com dashboard.

If you don't already have a selling account on Alibaba.com, now is a great time to create one to reach a wider audience and benefit from services like advertising and shipping.