Standard carriers have strict size and weight limits — and they enforce them. If UPS, FedEx, or USPS has rejected your shipment, Austin Crate & Freight provides the specialty freight solution you need. We handle items that standard carriers cannot, will not, or should not touch.
Standard parcel carriers run automated sorting facilities where packages move through conveyors, chutes, and scanners. Their systems are designed for boxes under 150 lbs with dimensions that fit on a conveyor belt. Anything outside those parameters breaks their process — which is why they charge penalty fees or refuse outright.
UPS and FedEx also carry liability limits on declared value for oversized items. If your item is too large and gets damaged, their maximum claim payout may not cover your loss. This creates a situation where even if they technically accept the shipment, the coverage gap makes it a bad financial decision.
The good news: the same items that pose problems for standard carriers are exactly what specialty freight companies handle well. Custom crating, liftgate service, freight coordination, and full-value coverage are standard features of specialty shipping — not add-ons.
Items outside these limits are either refused outright or charged significant oversize surcharges that make standard carriers uneconomical.
When standard carriers say no, these are the services we use to get your item to its destination safely and cost-effectively.
We build a crate precisely sized for your item. Proper crating is required by LTL freight carriers and significantly reduces the risk of damage and claim denial.
Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight handles items up to several thousand pounds with no girth restrictions. We select the right carrier, class, and service level for your item and budget.
Freight deliveries to residential or retail addresses require a liftgate truck, which standard carriers do not provide. We coordinate liftgate service at both ends at no surprise to you.
Beyond curbside drop-off, we can arrange inside delivery, room-of-choice placement, and packaging removal — especially valuable for furniture, equipment, and commercial fixtures.
Standard carriers cap declared value at $100 without purchase of additional coverage. Specialty freight allows full-value coverage matching the actual value of your item.
We typically offer pickup within 1–3 business days in Austin and the surrounding metro area. If your item needs to move fast, call us directly and we will prioritize your shipment.
These are the most frequent categories we receive from customers after a carrier has rejected or significantly surcharged their shipment.
Specialty freight is more expensive than standard parcel shipping for small items — but for oversized items, the comparison is often closer than you think. Standard carriers apply oversize surcharges of $200–$900+ per shipment in addition to the base rate, which quickly closes the gap with specialty freight pricing.
More importantly: the hidden cost of a damage claim at inadequate coverage levels can dwarf any savings on the rate. A $600 sofa damaged at a carrier facility, claimed at the $100 default coverage limit, is a $500 loss that no rate discount recovers.
Our specialty freight quotes factor in proper crating, full-value coverage, liftgate service, and verified carrier handling — giving you a true apples-to-apples cost. Call us at (512) 240-9818 for a quote on your specific item and we will be straightforward about when specialty freight makes sense and when it does not.
Your best options are LTL freight (less-than-truckload) or specialty freight. LTL carriers handle palletized and crated freight up to several thousand pounds with no girth restrictions. We can crate your item at our Austin facility and coordinate the LTL shipment, typically within 1–3 business days.
Often yes. Once standard carriers apply their oversize tier 2 or tier 3 surcharges, specialty freight rates are competitive — and you get proper crating, liftgate service, and full-value coverage in the price. Call us with your item dimensions and destination for a direct comparison.
Yes. We handle items well over 150 lbs routinely. We have equipment for safe handling including furniture dollies, moving blankets, and liftgate trucks. There is no upper weight limit on what we can crate and coordinate for freight shipment.
LTL freight transit times are longer than parcel — typically 3–7 business days within Texas and 5–10 days for cross-country shipments, versus 2–5 days for FedEx Ground. For time-sensitive oversized shipments, expedited freight options are available at a higher rate. We will quote both when timing matters.
Absolutely. We ship regularly to destinations across the US. We build the crate in Austin, coordinate the carrier, and manage the freight process through to delivery. Long-distance shipments are quoted based on freight class, dimensions, and destination zip code.
Austin Crate & Freight serves the entire Austin metro — custom crating, white-glove pickup, and specialty freight for items that standard carriers cannot handle.
White-glove furniture shipping and custom crating across Austin and all of Texas. Sofas, dining sets, bedroom furniture, antiques, and pieces too large or fragile for standard carriers.
Tell us what you are shipping, the dimensions, and the destination. We will figure out the right solution and give you a straightforward quote.