Shipping is never FREE of course. Someone always has to "pay the freight." But I've always maintained that the only good business deals are the ones where both parties benefit. So at a reasonable price point, where we both benefit, shipping can be free for you if you reside in CONUS and your order is greater than $350 subtotal (inclusive of any applicable discount). If you live in Alaska, Hawaii or Canada or overseas, you will receive a 10% discount on your order (in lieu of free shipping) if your order exceeds $350 subtotal (after 10% discount). Terms and conditions do apply.
*FREE Shipping of freight orders (see notes under YRC) includes Standard Shipping to the nearest freight terminal (YRC/UPS/FedEx). It does not include Residential Delivery, Lift Gate, or Time Critical Services. Naturally, those services can be arranged if you so desire, but Residential Delivery and Lift Gate Service can range from $75 to as high as $125 each.
While I have both Small Package (less than 150 lbs) and Freight (greater than 150 lbs) accounts with both companies, I have used UPS almost exclusively for more than 5 years because FedEx cannot match their rates. As a general rule, UPS Freight and FedEx Freight cannot come close to matching YRC Freight's DRQ pricing.
I reestablished an account with DHL in early 2020. As of 6/25/20, I get a 67% discount on shipping, which I pass on fully to you. For heavy shipments (> 200 lbs) overseas, they are hard to beat for cost and efficiency. For example, below is an actual invoice showing actual shipping costs for a large burl slab (222 lbs crated) shipped to Germany. Note the base shipping cost of $444 USD ($2/lb). The customer requested insurance. After the fact, DHL did apply an $89 surcharge because the shipment was over 150 lbs and one dimension exceeded 48". I was successful in my effort to have that surcharge removed. DHL is an excellent option for efficient, cost effective overseas shipping, though it may be more expensive than USPS for smaller shipments.
I use YRC Freight to ship most large orders within the Continental US and to Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. Freight is generally considered to be over 150 lbs. In years past, YRC rated shipments by the type product being shipped (generally Class 70, 65 or 55 for my products) and the density of the crate. A rating under 20 was the most expensive. A rating over 30 the least expensive. And between 20 and 30, somewhere in between. Regardless, their rates were always less than UPS Freight or FedEx Freight.
In 2016, YRC transitioned to a different method of rating shipments - Dimensional Rate Quote or DRQ. It is based solely on crate dimensions and weight (for a given locale) and dramatically lowered prices.
*FREE shipping on qualified FREIGHT ORDERS is to the nearest YRC Terminal - via Standard service - unless you are able to take delivery at a business address (with loading dock or forklift) or request and are willing to pay the additional cost of Expedited Service (if any) or Time Critical Service.
USPS is the method of choice for most customers overseas and in Alaska, Hawaii and Canada for shipments under 70 lbs. Their rates include customs brokerage. If you require a shipping quote, I can provide an estimate using the USPS app based on estimated size and package weight. Customers are responsible for any applicable GST, VAT, etc., specific to their country.
For small domestic orders, providing they fit in the boxes, it is really hard to beat USPS Regional Rate Box A or Regional Rate Box B (though they are not always cheaper than Flat Rate or other shipping methods. Regional Rate C boxes have been discontinued.
*Note - Flat rate pricing and weight restrictions vary by country. Depending on the shape/weight, shipping via the USPS "Choose Your Own Box" method may be cheaper than Flat Rate. For domestic shipments east of the Mississippi River, shipping via Regional Rate Box A or Box B is normally substantially cheaper than Medium or Large Flat Rate. I use the option whenever possible.
I can arrange shipment via ocean freight to most countries through my customs broker at Seamodal, but pricing is based on a minimum weight or crate size (generally a cubic meter). Because the Port of Norfolk, VA is primarily a container port, less than a container load (LCL) shipments are transported by truck to the Port of Charleston or Port of New York for consolidation, i.e., to be added to a container headed to the destination port until it is filled. So while Ocean Freight rates will definitely be less than Air Freight, total shipment time can be 6-8 weeks depending on how long it takes to consolidate a container and other factors.
I do not purchase insurance when I ship as I consider it a poor investment. Rather, I wrap your purchase in heavy duty stretch wrap and box (using high quality strapping tape and double boxing if necessary) or crate so as to preclude movement during transit. Should you wish to purchase insurance, please let me know prior to packing/shipment.