How to ship · household
How to ship a lamp
Lamps have two weak points: the shade (crushable) and the bulb (breakable). Ship both separately from the base, and lamps survive most shipping journeys.
- Typical weight
- Table lamp: 3-10 lb, Floor lamp: 8-25 lb
- Rate band tracked
- 5 lb
- Cheapest option
- USPS Priority Mail or Ground Advantage
Live rates
What it costs to ship a lamp, right now
A 5 lb parcel from New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA. Actual cost for your lamp varies by ±10-30% with its specific weight and destination zone.
- 01
Ground FedEx 4d $23.33 +$14.15 - 02
Ground Saver UPS 5d $9.18 cheapest - 03
Ground Advantage USPS 5d $9.65 +$0.47
Close call Only $0.47 (5%) separates the cheapest from the runner-up. Free USPS home pickup or a closer drop-off can erase this gap. Pick by convenience, not price, at this margin.
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Before you pack
The box and materials
Box
Corrugated box for base; separate smaller box for shade
Base box: 12 x 12 x 24 in typical
Save the original box if possible, for lamp shades especially.
Checklist
- Medium corrugated box
- Small box for the shade
- Bubble wrap
- Packing peanuts
- Tape
The process
Pack a lamp in 5 steps
01 of 05
Remove the bulb
Wrap separately in bubble or use the original bulb box. Ship inside the main shipment but clearly separated.
02 of 05
Detach the shade
Most shades screw off the finial. Wrap the shade in bubble and place in its own box with padding.
03 of 05
Wrap the base
Bubble wrap around the base; add foam or peanuts in the bottom of the box for cushioning.
04 of 05
Cord and switch
Wrap the cord loosely in the base box; do not yank it around the base body.
05 of 05
Seal and label
Both boxes labeled with matching order IDs. Fragile on both.
Carrier notes
Which carrier to use
USPS
Priority Mail or Ground Advantage; both work for lamps under 10 lb.
UPS
Ground for heavier floor lamps.
FedEx
Home Delivery.
Insurance + declared value
Protecting the package
Moderate insurance for antique lamps over $300. Modern IKEA-style lamps, skip.
Specialty shippers are usually not worth it here.
Parcel handles lamps fine if shade ships separately.
FAQ
Common questions
Q01 What about ceramic or glass lamp bases?
Extra padding on the base. A single ceramic break is the most common claim.
Q02 Should I ship the bulb?
Optional. Modern LED bulbs are tough; incandescent and halogen ship best out of the lamp and in the original bulb packaging.
Q03 Floor lamps with very long poles?
Disassemble the pole. Ship the base, pole sections, and shade all in separate padded containers.