How to Ship Appliances via LTL Freight
Guide to shipping large household appliances on pallets via LTL freight. Covers freight class, packaging for refrigerators and washers, accessorials for residential delivery, and tips to prevent dents and scratches.
Quick reference
Recommended packaging
Ship in original manufacturer packaging whenever possible. If not available, wrap the appliance in moving blankets, then in corrugated cardboard. Apply corner protectors on all eight corners. Strap the appliance to the pallet with ratchet straps through the pallet deck. Shrink-wrap over the straps. Mark "Do Not Stack" on all sides.
Accessorials you may need
These are the most common accessorial services for appliances shipments. Declare them at booking time — carriers that discover them on arrival bill more and back-date to the invoice. With Warp, every accessorial below is already included in the per-pallet rate.
Need to price a different combination? Use the accessorial fee calculator to see what accessorials add to any base rate.
Shipping tips for appliances
- Keep appliances upright. Refrigerators, washers, and dryers must stay vertical during transit. Tipping can damage compressors and drum assemblies.
- Remove or secure all internal components. Washer drums need transit bolts. Refrigerator shelves should be taped in place or removed.
- Use original packaging when available. Manufacturer boxes are designed for freight handling. Generic wrapping provides less protection.
- Budget for residential accessorials. Liftgate + residential + inside delivery can add $200-300 to the shipment cost.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mistake 1: Appliances are bulky but light, meaning high freight class (125-175). This makes per-pound rates expensive. Whenever possible, ship multiple appliances per pallet to improve density.
Mistake 2: Refrigerators tipped on their side during transit may have compressor oil leak into the cooling lines. The refrigerator must sit upright for 24 hours before plugging in.
Mistake 3: Cosmetic dents and scratches from freight handling are the most common appliance claim. Without corner protectors and padding, carriers may deny the claim as a packaging failure.
Freight class for appliances
Household appliances ship at class 92.5 to 175, depending on size and weight. A heavy commercial washer might hit class 92.5. A standard residential refrigerator ships at class 150-175 because it is large relative to its weight. Multiple appliances on one pallet improve density and can lower the effective class. If you are shipping several units, palletize together when possible.
Residential delivery requirements
Most appliance deliveries go to homes. Residential delivery requires three accessorials: liftgate (no dock), residential delivery (carrier surcharge for non-commercial address), and often inside delivery (past the front door). If the appliance needs to go upstairs or into a specific room, you may need two-man delivery or white-glove service. Standard LTL inside delivery means to the first dry, covered area past the threshold, not into a specific room.
Appliances shipping FAQ
What freight class are household appliances?
Household appliances ship at class 92.5 to 175. Heavy, compact appliances like commercial washers are on the lower end. Large, lighter appliances like refrigerators are on the higher end (class 150-175) because of their low density.
Can I ship a refrigerator on its side?
No. Refrigerators must ship upright. Tipping allows compressor oil to flow into the cooling lines. If a refrigerator was tipped, it must sit upright for 24 hours before being plugged in. Ship upright, strapped to a pallet with "This Side Up" labels.
What does inside delivery mean for appliances?
Inside delivery means the driver brings the appliance past the first threshold (front door) into the first dry, covered area. It does not include placement in a specific room, hookup, or removal of old appliances. For room-of-choice placement, you need white-glove service.
How much does it cost to ship an appliance?
LTL appliance shipping costs $200-700 per unit depending on size, distance, and accessorials. Residential delivery with liftgate and inside delivery adds $200-300 to the base rate. Get an exact quote on Warp with your dimensions and delivery address.
Ship appliances with Warp
Warp gives you instant per-pallet rates with no hidden fees. Enter your origin, destination, and pallet details to see transparent pricing across LTL, FTL, box truck, and cargo van. First shipment gets $50 off with code WARP2026.