Send a Large Parcel UK — Compare Prices for Heavy Items
Large parcels are where courier prices vary the most. The difference between cheapest and most expensive can be £15+. Always compare.
Sending something big?
Enter your parcel dimensions and weight to find the cheapest large parcel courier.
Compare prices now →What counts as a large parcel?
Different couriers define “large” differently, but as a general rule, a parcel is considered large when it exceeds 61cm on any side or weighs more than 10kg. Royal Mail will not accept anything over 61cm, so you must use a courier service.
Common large parcel items include: monitors, TVs, furniture flat-packs, sports equipment, musical instruments, car parts, and bulk orders.
Large parcel prices compared
| Courier | 10kg | 20kg | 30kg | Max weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPD | £8.99 | £11.50 | £14.99 | 30kg |
| Parcelforce | £12.45 | £14.50 | £18.99 | 30kg |
| UPS | £12.99 | £15.99 | £22.50 | 70kg |
| FedEx | £13.50 | £16.80 | £24.99 | 68kg |
| Evri | £7.99 | £11.99 | N/A | 15kg |
| Royal Mail | £12.45 | £18.55 | N/A | 20kg |
Prices via comparison booking for next-day delivery. Economy services are 20–30% cheaper.
Volumetric weight: the hidden cost
Couriers do not just weigh your parcel — they also measure it. Volumetric weight is calculated as length x width x height (cm) / 5000. Whichever is higher — actual weight or volumetric weight — is what you pay for.
Example: a box measuring 80cm x 60cm x 40cm weighing 5kg has a volumetric weight of 38.4kg. You would be charged for 38.4kg, not 5kg. This catches many people out with large, lightweight items like duvets, lampshades, or empty suitcases.
Tips for cheaper large parcel delivery
- Reduce the box size. Use the smallest box that fits your item with adequate padding. Every centimetre matters for volumetric pricing.
- Disassemble if possible. Flat-pack furniture ships for a fraction of the assembled price. Remove legs from tables, fold down tripods, deflate balls.
- Compare economy vs express. A 20kg parcel might cost £11.50 next-day with DPD but only £7.99 economy with Evri (if under 15kg).
- Check insurance limits. Cheap couriers often have low compensation limits (£20–50). For valuable items, add extra cover or use a premium courier with higher built-in cover.
- Consider pallet shipping. For items over 30kg or multiple heavy boxes, pallet delivery is often cheaper than sending individual parcels.
Size limits by courier
- DPD: Max 175cm length, 300cm combined (L+2W+2H), 30kg.
- Parcelforce: Max 150cm length, 300cm combined, 30kg.
- UPS: Max 270cm length, 400cm combined, 70kg.
- FedEx: Max 274cm length, 330cm combined, 68kg.
- Royal Mail: Max 61cm length, 20kg. Anything bigger must go via a courier.
Find the cheapest large parcel courier
Enter your dimensions and weight. We will show you every option, sorted by price.
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