Shipping Size & Weight Limits for Oversized Cargo
Before you book, check each piece against the acceptance limits for its channel. These are the maximum dimensions, weights, girth and packing rules we work to for air, sea and rail freight from China to the USA and Europe. Going over a limit does not automatically mean "no" — it usually moves to an individual quote, a different mode, or a split shipment.
How to measure your cargo
Every limit below uses three numbers. Measure each piece in centimetres, including its crate, pallet feet, strapping and anything that protrudes.
Length, width, height
Length (L) is the longest side. Width (W) and Height (H) are the other two. Measure the packed piece, not the bare product.
Girth
Girth = L + 2 × (W + H). Carriers cap girth to control how big a piece can be regardless of weight. A 120×80×90 cm piece has a girth of 460 cm.
Chargeable weight
Volumetric weight = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000. The billed weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight — no light-and-bulky exception on these lines.
Europe — Air freight
The Europe oversized air line moves heavy and high-value pieces fast. It accepts crated and palletised cargo only, within the size, weight and girth caps below.
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum single-piece size (L × W × H) | 300 × 200 × 220 cm |
| Maximum single-piece actual weight | 1,300 kg |
| Maximum girth (L + 2 × (H + W)) | under 762 cm |
| Aircraft width / height restriction | 220 cm each |
| Over-height / overweight band (individual handling) | height 178–220 cm, or 1,000–1,300 kg per piece |
| Chargeable weight basis | volumetric ÷ 6000, greater of volumetric and actual |
- Accepted packing: wooden crates, wooden frames / skids, air containers and flat pallets only. Pallet feet must be over 10 cm. Cargo must be stackable — do not apply a "Do Not Stack" label.
- Air containers over 30 kg must sit on pallet feet or a pallet.
- Goods transiting into the EU must carry a compliant CE mark where the product requires one.
- The consignee must have unloading capability. Delivery does not include a liftgate (tail-lift); liftgate trucks are arranged on request. Overseas island addresses are not served.
- Anything beyond these caps is quoted individually rather than refused.
Europe — Sea & Rail
The Europe oversized sea and rail line is the economical route for heavy furniture, machinery, doors and panels. It is built for crated and palletised pieces from 30 kg upward.
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum single-piece weight | 30 kg |
| Maximum single-piece chargeable weight | 1,000 kg |
| Longest side with no over-length surcharge | under 300 cm |
| Maximum size accepted on this line (L × W × H) | 300 × 200 × 178 cm |
| Maximum girth (L + 2 × (H + W)) | under 760 cm |
| Self-built wooden crate height | up to 1.78 m |
| Pallet feet ("skid feet") | actual weight up to 40 kg: optional; over 40 kg: required, internal height at least 8 cm |
- For two or more pieces, cardboard cartons are not accepted — use crates or pallets.
- Pieces larger than the line maximum (over 300 × 200 × 178 cm, or girth over 760 cm) are not carried on this line; we re-route them to a suitable courier or express service and advise at quotation.
- Large-parcel handling applies to irregular-shaped pieces (not a clean rectangular box), metal or wooden crates, or pieces with a longest side of 100 cm or more, or a second-longest side of 76 cm or more. These are assessed individually.
- Pieces that cannot be safely and stably stacked vertically incur non-stackable handling.
- Delivery requires a ground-floor address that a large truck can reach, with unloading capability at the destination; otherwise the consignee collects from the depot. Liftgate delivery is quoted separately.
- This line does not carry Amazon FBA cargo — use our FBA oversized service instead.
USA — Air freight
The USA mainland oversized air line is the fast route for pieces too big for standard parcel carriers. It has a minimum chargeable weight and firm caps on single-piece weight and girth.
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum single-piece chargeable weight | 10 kg |
| Single-piece actual weight with no surcharge | up to 22 kg |
| Oversize band (surcharge applies) | longest side over 100 cm, or second-longest over 75 cm, with girth up to 260 cm |
| Over-girth band (surcharge applies) | girth over 260 cm |
| Not accepted on this line | single piece over 40 kg, or girth over 260 cm |
| Chargeable weight basis | greater of actual and volumetric (no light-and-bulky exception) |
| FBA carton minimum | smallest side at least 5 cm; sum of three sides at least 45 cm; at least 2 FBA labels per piece |
- Local truck delivery: pieces over 240 cm long incur an over-length surcharge; over 240 cm to a residential address is quoted individually.
- Outer cartons and each product must carry a "Made in China" mark, and all goods must be declared accurately.
- Service is mainland USA (48 states) only. P.O. Box and military addresses are not accepted. ZIP prefixes 006–009 (Puerto Rico / US Virgin Islands), 966–969 (Hawaii / Guam) and 995–999 (Alaska) are excluded or quoted individually.
- Pieces over 40 kg, or with girth over 260 cm, are not accepted on this line — we advise a sea or truck alternative.
USA — Sea freight
The USA oversized sea line is the volume route for heavy cargo, billed per kilogram with a volumetric divisor. Very long pieces and very large shipments have their own thresholds.
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Chargeable weight basis | per kg; volumetric ÷ 6000, greater of volumetric and actual |
| Split-shipment threshold | a single shipment over 30 CBM, or a single piece over 2 m, must be split into multiple bills |
| Over-length bands (surcharge applies) | any single side of 300 cm, 400 cm or 500 cm or more |
| Individual quote | any single side of 600 cm or more |
- Commercial and residential addresses carry no address surcharge (special addresses excepted).
- Mainland USA (48 states) only; P.O. Box and military addresses are not accepted. ZIP prefixes 006–009, 966–969 and 995–999 are quoted individually.
- Solid wood packing must be ISPM-15 heat-treated and stamped; raw or untreated timber requires fumigation. See our packing guide.
- Fragile cargo must be packed to withstand repeated handling. Yellow and black packing tape are not accepted for sea freight.
What happens next
A limit is a routing signal, not a rejection. When a piece is too big, too heavy or too long for one channel, we move it to the one that fits.
Individual quote
Over-cap, over-height and very long pieces are priced case by case rather than turned away.
Different mode
Too big for air? We shift it to sea, rail or truck. Too heavy for a courier line? We re-route it.
Split shipment
A single shipment over 30 CBM, or a piece over 2 m on the USA sea line, is split into multiple bills.
Stronger packing
Crates, skids, pallet feet and bracing bring awkward pieces inside a channel's handling rules.
Size & weight questions, answered
How is girth calculated for oversized freight?
What is volumetric weight and which weight is billed?
What happens if my cargo exceeds a size or weight limit?
What is the largest single piece you can ship to Europe by air?
Do you deliver to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or island addresses?
Not sure if your cargo fits a channel?
Send the dimensions, weight and a photo of each piece plus the destination postcode. We will confirm the right route and include every figure in your individual DDP quote.