How to Ship a Laptop: Our Top Tips

Laptops are an essential, everyday tool used by many. In fact, over 214 Million notebook laptops were shipped in 2022 alone. So naturally, you’ll want to ensure that your laptop is securely packaged since they’re expensive electronic devices 一 and no one wants a damaged package.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to ship a laptop safely and stress-free. Let’s dive in so you can ship laptops like a pro.

How Much Does It Cost for Shipping Laptops?

There’s no one-size-fits-all price for shipping laptops. No matter what, the following factors determine the cost of shipping:

• Courier service
• Delivery speed
• Weight of package
• Shipping distance
• Package dimensions

Ultimately, the package weight and the delivery destination are the key determining factors of the final price for shipping laptops. But no need to worry about calculating these costs on your own 一 we’ll go over the specific expenses for shipping laptops with major couriers so you can see what works best for you and your eCommerce company.

Shipping laptops with USPS

USPS is an affordable way to ship your items domestically or internationally, even for laptops. If you’re sending a 15” laptop, consider using a medium or large flat rate box. A medium flat rate box costs $16.25, while a large flat rate box costs $22.65 without any add-ons.

Say you’re looking to ship a 5-pound laptop from New York to Los Angeles. Below are the available options for shipping your laptop with USPS.

• Priority Mail Express 1-Day: $75.60
• Priority Mail 2-Day: $27.95
• USPS Retail Ground: $25.10

When it comes to shipping laptops, opting for USPS flat rate shipping is your best option. For instance, USPS Priority Mail 2-Day Medium Flat Rate offers fast delivery and tracking compared to standard USPS rates.

Now, say you want to ship the same 5-pound laptop but from NY to the United Kingdom. Below are the available options for USPS.

• Priority Mail Express International: $91.00
• Priority Mail International: $77.60
• Priority Mail International Large Flat Rate Box: $108.50
• Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box: $83.65

USPS Priority Mail is your best choice if you’re looking for the fastest delivery service for your parcel. This shipping option costs $91.00 and offers a 3 to 5 business days delivery lead time. Though if you’re looking for the cheapest shipping option, Priority Mail International is the best option.

Connecting with a reliable shipping platform can help you save big when it comes to shipping. For example, Easyship saves users up to 91% off discounted USPS shipping rates. Plus, receive 24/7 customer service from our team of shipping experts so you can have a stress-free shipping experience.

Say you want to ship the same 5-pound laptop from New York to Los Angeles. Below are the available shipping rates using Easyship’s Free Shipping Rate Calculator.

As we can see, it costs $22.71 for a 5-pound laptop with USPS Priority Mail and offers a lead time of 1 to 3 business days. Plus, you’ll receive over $15 in savings. Alternatively, USPS Media costs $6.34 for the same shipment and offers a lead time of 2 to 10 business days.

Whether you’re shipping domestically or internationally, Easyship can help you save big when it comes to shipping laptops. Our network of leading international couriers can help you reach global growth while keeping customers satisfied.

Shipping laptops with UPS

UPS offers fast and reliable shipping for your domestic and international parcels.

Say you want to ship a 5-pound laptop from New York to Los Angeles. Below are available rates for shipping your laptop across the country.

• UPS® Ground: $20.85
• UPS Next Day Air®: $122.19
• UPS 2nd Day Air®: $65.14

UPS® Ground is your best bet if you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship your laptop. Though UPS Next Day Air® can get your laptop to its destination for a higher price.

Now, say you’re shipping your laptop from NY to the UK. Below are the rates for shipping your laptop with UPS.

• UPS Worldwide Express Plus® : $270.03
• UPS Saver® : $222.30
• UPS Worldwide Express® : $225.53
• UPS Worldwide Expedited® : $202.69

As we can see, you’ll pay a pretty penny to ship your laptop overseas. Alternatively, Easyship saves users up to 86% off on UPS shipments. That means you can continue using UPS for your shipping laptops but at a high-volume discount.

Say you want to ship the same 5-pound laptop from NY to LA. Below are some example shipping rates using our free shipping rates calculator.

As we can see, it costs $14.31 to ship a 5-pound laptop from NY to LA with UPS® Ground. That means you’ll save nearly $6 to ship the same UPS package but with Easyship instead. On the other hand, it costs $55.86 for UPS Next Day Air® and $27.28 for UPS 2nd Day Air®.

Now, let’s say you’re shipping the same 5-pound package but from NY to London. The example rates using our free shipping rates calculator estimate, it costs $48.67 to ship with UPS Worldwide Expedited®. Plus, this shipping option offers a delivery lead time of 2 business days and offers excellent tracking.

Overall, if you’re looking for the cheapest, fastest, or best value rates, Easyship can provide you with high-volume discounts no matter the size of your eCommerce company.

Shipping laptops with FedEx

FedEx is one of the largest shipping couriers worldwide that you can rely on to ship your laptop without any hassle safely.

Say you want to ship a 5-pound laptop from New York to Los Angeles. Below are the rates for shipping with FedEx.

• FedEx First Overnight: $169.95
• FedEx 2-Day: $75.79
• FedEx Express Saver: $61.66

Though the shipping costs are high, FedEx Express Saver is your best bet if you’re looking for the cheapest FedEx shipping service from NY to LA. On the other hand, you can also opt for FedEx First Overnight, but you’ll pay an arm and a leg on shipping alone.

Now, let’s take a look at shipping a 5-pound laptop from New York to the United Kingdom. Below are the available rates:

• FedEx International First: $287.22
• FedEx International Priority: $232.59
• FedEx International Economy: $209.79

FedEx offers reliable service, but it does cost more than other major couriers like USPS and UPS. Alternatively, Easyship can save you up to 91% on 250+ couriers. That way, you can choose from our extensive global network while saving big.

How to Package Laptops for Shipping

Whenever you’re shipping fragile items like laptops, you’ll want to take the proper precautions.

1. Choose the right box

You can’t choose just any box when shipping laptops, especially if you want to prevent any damage during transit. That means you have to make sure you select a box that can comfortably fit your laptop.

Ideally, you want a box that’s slightly larger than the laptop, so there’s enough space for cushioning filler on all sides of the laptop. The laptop shouldn’t be able to move around when you shake the box, which is why you’ll want to leave at least two inches of space between the laptop and the walls of the box.

ULINE sells corrugated boxes perfect for shipping laptops or other electronic equipment. For instance, you’ll pay as little as 69 cents per box for your laptop.

You’ll also want to include a second box to place your laptop in, otherwise known as your shipping box. This further prevents your laptop from moving around during transit. Without this second box, your laptop runs the risk of moving around in transit, and it could be damaged. Plus, don’t forget to fill in any empty spaces with cushioning filler.

2. Secure your package

Choosing the correct box is essential, but you’ll also need to include the right packaging supplies to secure your laptop in its box. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and plastic wrap are your best friends when it comes to safely package your laptop.

Here are some recommendations when it comes to choosing packaging supplies to secure your laptop in its box.

• Cushioning: Bubble wrap and packing peanuts keep your laptop in place and prevent jostling that can lead to breakage
• Plastic wrap: Wrapping your laptop in plastic can ensure your package’s safety, especially from any liquid or moisture. For the best results, wrap your laptop in multiple layers of plastic wrap to keep it safe and protected from weather conditions
• Shipping tape: Though it sounds obvious, packaging your laptop with proper shipping tape is like the cherry on top of a sundae. Make sure you secure your package with tape on all sides of the outer packaging

As long as your laptop is packaged in its appropriate box with suitable packaging materials, you’re on the right track to safely ship your laptop. But you’re not there just yet.

3. Label your package correctly

Before you start shipping away, you’ll want to make sure that you include a label on the outer packaging, so it’s visibly known that the package contains a lithium-ion battery. You’ll also want to have a “fragile” label to prevent any damage during transit.

Without the proper labeling, you run the risk of paying a hefty fine if something goes wrong. So, make sure you label your package correctly, and it’s smooth sailing from there.

4. Research shipping restrictions

Most couriers allow customers to ship personal electronics like laptops that contain lithium-ion batteries. For instance, UPS, FedEx, and USPS allow lithium-ion battery shipments as long as you follow shipping guidelines.

Regardless of the courier, all lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods and must be labeled accordingly. Damaged or defective laptops with lithium-ion batteries are forbidden from shipping. This condition is because defective or damaged batteries exposed to extreme temperatures can potentially start a fire.

Tips for Shipping Laptops

Laptops are expensive items, so you’ll want to make sure you give extra thought and care to the packaging to prevent any damage. Plus, you’ll want to consider things such as specific rules and regulations for shipping laptops with lithium batteries and the cost of shipping.

We all want our laptops to arrive safely without damage. So here are a few tips to help you navigate how to ship laptops.

Use shipping insurance

Shipping insurance protects merchants from lost, stolen or damaged packages. Plus, it’s a great way to give yourself some peace of mind about your laptop. An estimated 5-15% of shipments fail to reach their intended destination because of theft or logistics issues, so it’s helpful to give yourself that extra protection, especially for high-value items.

Most couriers like USPS, FedEx, or UPS cover domestic and international shipments with a value up to $100 free of charge. But, for high-value items like laptops, you’re going to need more protection than that.

Easyship offers users up to $10,000 of shipping insurance for any shipment. In addition, users also save up to 91% off discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers. That means you can get the protection you need without any additional cost, all while saving valuable time and money.

Follow lithium-ion battery regulations

You’ll have to pay attention to any special regulations since laptops contain lithium-ion batteries. Failure to comply with lithium-ion battery regulations comes with a hefty price tag, especially if something goes wrong.

Major couriers like FedEx, UPS, and USPS require you to label your shipment on the outer packaging. This way, anyone handling your package knows it contains lithium batteries. As long as it’s visible to those who come in contact with your package, it’s smooth sailing from there.

How Easyship Can Help Ace Shipping Laptops

Shipping laptops isn’t a daunting task. In fact, it’s relatively easy to do so as long as you package your laptop securely. Plus, you’ll want to make sure that you can ship lithium-ion batteries with your shipping courier.

Easyship can safely ship your laptops while saving you valuable time and money. Users save up to 91% off discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers. Easyship also offers up to $10,000 of shipping insurance for any shipment. You'll also gain access to features and benefits such as the following:

• Free Shipping Rates Calculator: Access high-volume discounts from major couriers. Plus, get instant access to delivery lead times from premium shipping couriers
• Easyship Branding Suite: Easyship provides a delivery experience consistent with your brand. Add your logo and advertising materials to your packing slips, landing pages, and tracking emails
• Shipping Policy Generator: Our shipping policy generator helps merchants and crowdfunding campaigns generate their shipping policy by providing tracking and insurance options, plus other vital information for your shipping process

Ready to ship laptops? Sign up today for a free Easyship account and start shipping away

If you found this article informative, you may enjoy the following:

• How to Ship Ice Cream for Your eCommerce Shop
• How to Ship a Package Safely
• How to Ship Large and Heavy Items