Cheapest way to ship soccer balls
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, and in recent years it has seen a resurgence in the United States. As a result, more sporting goods retailers than ever find themselves shipping footballs to customers across the country. While it may seem simple, shipping soccer balls can be tricky depending on the size of the ball you’re shipping, and the added weight of the packaging could end up changing the type of shipping service you can use. let’s start!
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What size football are you shipping?
Before you choose which carrier to use to ship your shipment, first consider the size of the football you intend to ship. Is it youth soccer, or is it made for professional adult leagues? Is it number 4 or number 5? The point is, soccer balls come in smaller and smaller sizes…the smaller the ball, the lighter it usually is. In this case, the size of the balls you send may affect the shipping services available to you.
First Class Package is the cheapest service to send small soccer balls
For balls smaller than size 5, USPS First Class Package will be the cheapest service available to you. First Class Package is Postal Service’s premier shipping service for sending lightweight packages weighing less than 15.9 ounces and is the most affordable service offered by USPS. Its delivery time is 1-3 business days and you have to provide your own packaging. Use of this service is also subject to the following restrictions:
- Maximum package weight is 15.9 oz (less than 1 lb)
- Maximum package size is 22 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 15 inches thick (22 x 18 x 15″)
UPS grounds are usually the cheapest for large footballs due to the weight of the package
Size 5 footballs (used by FIFA) typically weigh 14 ounces, which technically qualifies them to be shipped via First Class Parcel Service. However, when kept in the original manufacturer’s packaging, these boxes often weigh more than 15.9 ounces due to the added weight of the packaging.After all, you might be sending the ball not just in the original manufacturer’s packaging, but inside other outer carton. These boxes can add a few ounces, and since this is the case, the cheapest service for this type of shipment is usually UPS Ground.
UPS Ground is the cheapest service offered by UPS, although it is also the slowest, it is not slower than other UPS services That a lot of. The delivery time for UPS Ground shipments is 2-5 business days as advertised by UPS. However, we are seeing these packages being delivered often much faster than that time frame. Depending on how close your destination is to you, UPS will even deliver some ground packages as early as the next day!
You don’t need any protective packaging
The great thing about shipping footballs is that these items are not fragile by any means. In fact, they are quite the opposite! Footballs are meant to be kicked and subjected to a lot of pressure and force, so you don’t have to worry about any extra packing materials like packing peanuts or air cushions to cushion your ball during transport. You don’t need to add anything other than putting the ball inside its original packaging (if possible).
There may be a dimensional weight charge for your box
When shipping large soccer balls, keep in mind that you may incur dimensional weight charges.Volumetric weight means The amount of physical space your package takes up rather than its actual weight. Basically, when you try to buy a label, the carrier calculates how much space your box will take up in their truck. If the dimensional weight of your package ends up being more than it actually is, they’ll charge you shipping based on the dimensional weight…and those rates are usually much more expensive than calculated using the actual weight of your box.
Conversely, if your package’s actual weight exceeds its dimensional weight, the carrier will charge you based on its actual weight. They will charge you the larger: the dimensional weight or actual weight of your box.
Learn more about dimensional weight charges and how to avoid them.
Save on Labeling Fees with Shipping Software
No matter the size of your soccer ball or which service you choose, don’t go to the post office or your local UPS store to have your box shipped! Instead, use online shipping software to buy discounted labels from UPS and USPS.
When you use online shipping software, you get the largest discounts available that major carriers usually reserve for large commercial shippers.In some cases, these discounts can Save you up to 41% off How much does it cost to ship the same box via First Class Package at your local post office.For UPS Ground shipments, you can even Save up to 78% off How much does it cost to ship a box at the UPS store!
There are many different options for shipping software, and it will be beneficial to research which one will save you the most money when shipping your package. Some have monthly fees, hidden fees, or minimum requirements you must meet, and some don’t. Some of them require a monthly membership to get these special tiers of discounts, and some of them—our favorites—are free.
Looking for the shipping software that’s right for you?
access Biggest Discounts on All USPS Servicescheck out our guide:
Choosing the Best Shipping Software
