When shipping oversized cargo, you need a company behind you that will bring plenty of detail, proper planning, and execution to the process. The price you pay will depend on the size of the freight, machinery or heavy equipment being transported. What is oversized cargo? This is basically anything that won’t fit inside a 40-foot shipping container.

Some machinery and equipment are too big, wide, long or awkwardly-shaped to fit the standard specifications of a shipping container. Once we know the dimensions of your shipment, we can advise you on whether you need oversized cargo shipping services or not. 

Here at Direct Express Inc., we bring 30 years of experience to the table so you can trust us to handle the process from start to finish. Get a free quote when you call us at +1.310.324.2100 or fill out our online form. 

What Qualifies as Heavy Equipment?

The following items will qualify as heavy equipment or oversized cargo:

  • Motorhomes and RVs
  • Machinery
  • Light Aircraft
  • Trucks
  • Boats and Yachts
  • Trailers

If you plan to ship heavy equipment overseas, we can handle any type of shipment through all stages of the process. In general, we handle RV shipping, boat and yacht shipping, trailer shipping, and machinery shipping. 

From farmers to construction company owners to manufacturers, we cater to them all. 

Oversized Cargo Shipping: How Does it Work?

You have a few options to choose from when you need to ship oversized cargo overseas. We rely on specialty processes such as the following methods to ship oversized freight.

Flat Rack Shipping Method

This is basically a large container without a roof or walls. It’s commonly used to transport boats, RVs, trucks and heavy machinery. Flat racks are the last to be loaded onto the container ship, which may expose your cargo to the elements during transport. We can shrink wrap newer vehicles and equipment if you so choose. 

Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo)

This is the most cost effective method for shipping large vehicles such as trucks, RVs, and motorhomes. If your item has wheels, this is a great option since it can get onto the ship of its own power. 

They roll on and off the shipping vessel below deck so they are kept out of the elements. Keep in mind, there is a 15-foot height restriction for the loading ramp.

Lift-On Lift-Off (LoLo)

This is used when vessels don’t have storage in the hull. A crane must be used to load all the machines onto the deck. This is a popular method for crated cargo or vehicles that don’t run.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Oversized Cargo?

It’s impossible to say with certainty until you contact us for a quote. The cost to ship a boat vs. the cost to ship a tractor will be very different. We need to know the nature, size and dimensions of your machinery before we can give you a more accurate quote. Other factors come into play when developing cost, such as:

  • Destination and departure port locations
  • Selected shipping option 
  • Insurance and taxes
  • Duty fees

How Long Does it Take to Ship Oversized Cargo?

This will depend on the departure and destination ports. In general, cargo arrives faster when shipped from the East Coast than the West Coast.

Why Choose Direct Express Inc. For Oversized Cargo Shipping?

With 30 years of experience behind us, you can rest assured we bring the highest level of attention to detail to the process of oversized cargo shipping. We know the process inside and out, and can therefore handle your request from start to finish no matter how big your equipment is. Get started with a free quote, and we will oversee the process until you take delivery of your cargo on the other end. Complete our online form or call us at +1.310.324.2100.