How to ship · furniture
How to ship a dining table
Small bistro tables under 70 lb fit parcel carriers if packed carefully. Larger dining tables, especially with solid wood tops, are freight-only.
- Typical weight
- Small: 40-80 lb, 6-seat: 100-150 lb, 8-seat: 150-250 lb
- Rate band tracked
- USPS/UPS Ground
- Cheapest option
- uShip almost always wins on tables over 70 lb
Rate guidance
Heavier than our rate tracker goes
At a minimum of 40 lb, this sits above our 20 lb rate band. USPS Ground Advantage still applies (up to 70 lb), and UPS Ground goes to 150 lb. See the carrier notes below for the realistic options and expected cost.
Why no table: we track representative rates at 12 oz, 1 lb, 5 lb, and 20 lb. Anything between 20 and 70 lb would be an extrapolation, not a live quote. Carrier calculators are the honest answer for that range.
Before you pack
The box and materials
Box
Detachable legs: double-box the top in moving blankets
Depends on table; a 48-in round top is 48 x 48 x 4 in
Ship legs separately in a longer box.
Checklist
- Moving blankets (2-3)
- Corner protectors
- Stretch wrap
- Packing tape
- Pallet if freight
The process
Pack a dining table in 4 steps
01 of 04
Unscrew the legs
Most dining tables have screw-in legs. Remove, bundle with packing paper, and tape inside a long box.
02 of 04
Wrap the tabletop
Two overlapping moving blankets, all four corners padded with cardboard protectors.
03 of 04
Double-box or palletize
For parcel: inner box 2 in bigger than the top, outer box 4 in bigger with foam between. For freight: pallet with ratchet straps.
04 of 04
Label everything
Fragile, This Side Up, and a note on the legs box pointing to the tabletop box.
Carrier notes
Which carrier to use
USPS
Only workable for small bistro tabletops under 70 lb. Legs ship fine.
UPS
Ground accepts up to 150 lb. Surcharges heavy.
FedEx
Similar to UPS.
Insurance + declared value
Protecting the package
Declare at replacement cost. Freight carriers have separate declared-value.
Specialty shippers are worth it here.
For tables over 100 lb or solid-wood tops, uShip runs 30-50% cheaper than parcel and handles in-home delivery.
Get quotes on uShipFAQ
Common questions
Q01 Can I ship the table without disassembling?
Only via freight. Parcel carriers require breakdown.
Q02 What about marble or stone tops?
Specialty shipper only. Parcel handling cracks stone.
Q03 How do I handle extension leaves?
Wrap each leaf separately and ship together in a bundled box.