An oversized courier for odd shapes that won't box neatly
Doors, panels, display stands, signs, crated artwork and machinery guards don't fit a parcel service built for boxes. Measure the longest, widest and tallest points, enter them when you book and we collect from your door.
How to measure an irregular item
Measure the longest point, the widest point and the tallest point, wherever they fall on the item. For an L-shaped display stand, that is end to end along the long arm, across the full spread of the short arm, and from the floor to the highest edge. Those three figures are the box the item would fit in, and they are what it is priced on.
Wrap or crate it first, then measure the outside of the packaging. Wrapping (bubble wrap, corner protectors and card over the faces) suits doors, panels and furniture with flat faces. A crate suits anything fragile, top-heavy or with parts that stick out, like a sculpture or a machine guard.
From those sizes we work out the volumetric weight (length x width x height in cm, divided by 5000) and compare it with the actual weight. The item is priced on whichever is greater. Handling and fuel are in the price, so there is no separate oversize line.
Odd shapes and bulky one-offs we carry
An item is irregular when it has no flat, square sides to stack on: frames, curves, legs, parts that stick out, or a crate built around one piece.
Doors and panels
Internal doors with fittings on, wall panels, partitions and glazed or framed panels, wrapped flat.
Furniture
Assembled pieces that don't flat-pack: chairs with legs, headboards, cabinets and one-off joinery.
Display stands and exhibition kit
Stands, plinths, banner frames and the kit for a trade show, wrapped or in flight cases.
Signage
Shaped signs, built-up letters, light boxes and fascia panels for a shop fit.
Sculptures and artwork
Sculptures, framed pieces and installations, each in its own crate.
Machinery guards and frames
Guards, cages, frames and brackets that are mostly air, crated or wrapped as one item.
Related: two-person delivery, long parcel delivery.
Got a big box or carton rather than an odd shape? Use large parcel delivery for standard large boxes.
Who sends odd shapes with us
If you build, fit or show things that don't come in boxes, from shop fits and exhibition stands to joinery and gallery pieces, this is the service for you.
The limits for an oversized item
- Weight per item
- Up to 150kg
- Length per item
- Up to 6.5m
- Other two sides
- Up to 3m each
- Per consignment
- 1,000kg and 15 cubic metres
Several items can travel as one consignment, each priced on its own line. Measure the longest side and weigh each item before you book.
How an oversized item is priced
Every item is priced on its size or weight, whichever is greater. We work out its volumetric weight (length x width x height in cm, divided by 5000) and compare it with the actual weight. How volumetric weight works.
Fuel is included, so there is no separate fuel surcharge. You see the full price, line by line, before you book. Prices exclude VAT, which is added at payment.
If an item turns out bigger or heavier than declared, the consignment is re-priced at the actual size and weight.
- Next working day or pick a day collection
- Standard price
- Your area day collection
- Costs less
- Later today collection
- Costs more
- Two-person delivery
- Costs more
- Regional surcharge, per end
- Rate card
- Standard cover
- Included in the price
Every amount is shown as its own line in your price before you book.
Oversized and awkward item questions
Measure the longest, widest and tallest points with the item wrapped or crated, the way it will travel. Those three figures are what it is priced on.
Anything without flat, square sides: doors with fittings, furniture with legs, display stands, shaped signs, sculptures and machinery guards. If it won't sit in a box, treat it as irregular.
Wrap items with flat faces, like doors, panels and most furniture, with corner protectors on every edge. Crate anything fragile, top-heavy or with parts that stick out. Either way, it must survive normal handling.
No. Each item is priced on size or weight, whichever is greater, and handling and fuel are included. A regional surcharge applies only for some areas, such as the Highlands and Northern Ireland, and shows in your price before you book.
Mostly. IDW stands for irregular dimensions and weight, which is what couriers call items too awkward for a standard parcel service. We take them as standard rather than as a special job.
On the largest flat face, or on a tag fixed securely to the wrapping if there is no flat face. On a crate, put it on the top or the largest side.
Dangerous goods, liquids in unsealed containers, live animals, cash and anything prohibited by UK law.
More answers in the help centre.
Other services
All services- Large itemsBig boxes, cartons and long, heavy or bulky goods up to 150kg, priced on size or weight.
- Next day courierCollected from your door, delivered by 6pm on the next working day.
- Business courierOne account for your team, weekly invoicing once verified, rate cards and CSV batch.
- CollectionLater today, your area day, next working day or any weekday in the next 30 days.
- Two-person deliveryTwo crew carry heavy and bulky goods into the room your recipient chooses.
- Northern Ireland, Highlands and islandsSurcharge zones, postcodes and extra days for remote areas, set out in full.
- Long parcel deliveryTubes, pipes, timber and rolls up to 6.5m long, priced on size or weight.
- Heavy parcel deliveryMachinery parts, engines and gym kit up to 150kg per item.
- Bike courierBoxed bikes, frames and wheels, collected from your shop and tracked to your customer.
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