Heavy items can add extra costs and complexity to your shipping process. 50-lb goods—such as kitchen appliances, weights, and small machinery—require special consideration when seeking the most affordable option.
Throughout my logistics career, I’ve shipped hundreds of heavy items across North America and the rest of the world, so I know a thing or two about the hidden costs and challenges of 50 lb shipments.
In this guide, I’ll explain the cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package, important risks and fees to be aware of, and tips for saving money when shipping heavy items.
What is the absolute cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package?
The cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package within the United States is with the FedEx Ground service.
This option is typically a few dollars cheaper than services offered by other major carriers, including USPS and UPS. However, it’s important you understand that multiple factors affect the cost of a shipment—including destination, insurance, and delivery speed.
In many cases, what appears to be the cheapest option at face value is also the riskiest, and may end up costing more should the item get lost, damaged, or stolen.
To better answer the question “What is the cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package?” it’s vital to consider how these additional details may increase your final shipping cost.
50 lb package shipping costs: Summary
I’ve compared the costs of shipping a 50 lb package from Los Angeles, California to Denver, Colorado using three major carriers: FedEx, UPS, and USPS.
Here’s a quick summary of 50 lb shipping costs:
The cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package is using FedEx Ground flat-rate pricing, which costs $47.53.
The cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package using Express services is the USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day, which costs $374.75.
The average cost to ship a 50 lb package using Ground services is $83.32.
The average cost to ship a 50 lb package using Express services is $462.78.
The dimensions of a 50 lb package will depend on the contents.
You might be shipping a microwave, a bag of dog food, or sofa cushions. Each of these may be a different rate since their packaging dimensions will not be the same.
NOTE: To keep things simple, I’ve researched the shipping rates for sending a pair of 25 lb dumbbells—a common 50 lb shipment. The packaging dimensions for this item are around 12” X 12” X 6”.
Comparing major carriers
| Carrier | Ground | Express |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx (FedEx Ground vs. FedEx Priority Overnight) |
$74.64 | $505.41 |
| UPS (UPS Ground vs. UPS Next Day Air) |
$82.91 | $508.18 |
| USPS (USPS Ground Advantage vs. Priority Mail Express 1-Day) |
$92.40 | $374.75 |
For a more accurate calculation of your shipping costs, enter your specific dimensions and information about your journey on these carrier websites:
Flat rate options for shipping a 50 lb package
| Carrier | Ground | Express |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx (FedEx Ground vs. FedEx Priority Overnight) |
$47.53 | $434.70 |
| UPS (UPS Ground vs. UPS Next Day Air) |
$82.91 | $465.09 |
| USPS (Ground Advantage Zone 5 vs. Priority Mail Express 1-Day Zone 5) |
$92.40 | $374.75 |
To explore flat-rate shipping options in more detail, see the official carrier pricing sheets:
Factors that affect shipping costs for a 50 lb package
Although weight is a critical factor in calculating shipping costs, it’s often just one of many. Let’s take a quick look at the various conditions that can impact the price of a 50 lb shipment.
Distance
The distance between the origin and destination of your shipment can greatly affect costs. Local shipments are typically much cheaper than out-of-zone deliveries, and cheaper still than international shipments.
ALERT: If you’re shipping internationally, there may also be hidden costs to consider such as higher insurance fees and customs clearance fees.
Speed
In most cases, slower shipments are cheaper than using an express/expedited service. This can be a difference of several hundred dollars, so take extra care when selecting your preferred shipping method.
Carrier
Different carriers offer different pricing structures. For example, it’s cheaper to use FedEx when shipping a 50 lb package by Ground but it’s more affordable to use USPS to ship the same package if you need an expedited delivery.
Carriers are frequently changing their pricing, too, so it’s important to check their websites to find the latest rates.
PRO TIP: If you need to insure your package, the price and conditions to insure it with the carrier can also affect your total shipping cost. Compare included insurance options between different carriers and consider using a third-party insurance provider to get better rates.
Packaging
Whether you’re using your own packaging or purchasing a flat-rate box from your chosen carrier, packaging incurs additional costs. 50 lb shipments often require extra sturdy packaging to protect the item during transit, along with packing materials such as bubble wrap and foam corners.
Other packaging considerations for 50 lb shipments:
Packaging adds additional weight to your item which could bring your total shipment weight above 50 lbs.
Carriers may require a “heavy package” sticker for packages above a certain threshold.
50 lb goods may damage packaging during transit if they sit unsecured in the box or if flimsy packaging is used.
There are a few less obvious factors affecting 50 lb shipments that we haven’t covered yet.
For starters, there are some hidden costs that may increase your cost to ship:
Residential collection/delivery fees
Special handling fees
Insurance costs
Customs clearance fees
Peak season surcharges
The delivery method you choose will also dictate much of the risk factor for your shipment.
Untracked items, for example, are easier to lose and harder to locate once lost. Low-cost shipping services can mean less reliable drivers and a higher risk of loss or damage to your goods.
Mitigating these risks—purchasing extra insurance or special services—will cost more than the cheapest shipping method, but may be cheaper than replacing or repairing the item should something go wrong during transit.
Cost-saving tips for shipping a 50 lb package
Finding the cheapest way to ship a 50 lb package isn’t just about selecting the right carrier. Here are some actionable tips for reducing your shipping costs.
1. Optimize packaging
Reduce your package’s overall weight and dimensional size by using more compact packaging. This will help minimize the total cost to ship while helping you avoid paying for unused space should your carrier use dimensional weight pricing.
2. Splitting into smaller shipments
If you’re shipping multiple items that add up to 50 lbs, it could be cheaper to split your package into smaller shipments. This can help you avoid extra fees associated with shipping heavier goods, like sturdier packaging, insurance surcharges, and heavy goods fees.
3. Consider LTL options
If your shipment is not equal to a full truckload (FTL), you can significantly reduce your shipping costs by opting for a less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping method instead. This allows you to share truck space with other shipments and spread transportation costs across multiple parties.
4. Compare rates using third-party tools
To save time and get a fair assessment of your shipping options, use websites like ParcelMonkey and Shippo to compare rates between multiple carriers. This will allow you to see costs side by side for your shipment so you can choose the best option for you.
5. Leverage carrier discounts
Some carriers offer discounts to businesses or frequent shippers. They can come in the form of volume discounts, loyalty programs, and long-term partnerships. Programs like FedEx’s Advantage Program or UPS’s Savings Program are great cost-savers for regular shippers.
