To ship a TV, pack it upright in its original box (or a double-walled TV box) with foam corner blocks, a soft cover over the screen and at least 2 inches of cushioning on every side, then send it with UPS if the boxed set is over about 50 inches. USPS takes packages up to 70 lbs and 130 inches in length plus girth, while UPS takes up to 150 lbs, 108 inches long and 165 inches in length plus girth, which covers most boxed TVs up to about 65 inches.
The screen is the part that breaks, usually from a corner impact or pressure on the panel. Everything below is about keeping force off the glass and choosing a carrier whose size limits fit your box.
Can you ship a TV with USPS or UPS?
Yes, both carriers accept TVs as ordinary parcels if the boxed set fits their limits. The deciding number is length plus girth: the longest side plus twice the width plus twice the depth of the box.
| Service | Max weight | Max size | Delivery time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 70 lbs | 130 in length + girth | 2 to 5 days | Smaller TVs (roughly up to 43 to 50 inches boxed) |
| USPS Priority Mail | 70 lbs | 108 in length + girth | 2 to 3 days | Small TVs and monitors that need speed |
| UPS Ground | 150 lbs | 108 in length, 165 in length + girth | 1 to 5 business days | Most 50 to 65 inch TVs |
| LTL freight | Pallet-based | Beyond parcel limits | Quoted per lane | 75 inch and larger, or several TVs on a pallet |
As a rough guide, a boxed 43-inch TV measures about 43 x 27 x 5 inches, or around 107 inches in length plus girth, which fits USPS. A boxed 55-inch set is often about 53 x 33 x 6 inches, around 131 inches, which is just over the USPS limit, so UPS is the safer choice. Measure your actual box, because sizes vary by brand. Our guide to how much a 40-inch TV weighs lists typical set and boxed weights.
What do you need to pack a TV for shipping?
- The original box and foam inserts, if you kept them. Nothing protects a panel better.
- Otherwise, a TV shipping box (double-walled corrugated, sized for your screen) or a flat-panel moving kit.
- Foam corner protectors for all four corners.
- A soft, non-abrasive cover for the screen, such as a moving blanket, foam sheet or the original bag. Avoid bubble wrap directly on the screen face, which can leave marks.
- Cardboard sheet cut to the screen size, to spread out any pressure on the panel.
- Packing tape, a small parts bag and “Fragile” and “This Side Up” labels.
How do you pack a TV for shipping, step by step?
- Photograph the TV. Take pictures of the screen on and working, plus every side, before you unplug it. These support any damage claim.
- Remove the stand and accessories. Detach the stand or wall-mount bracket, unplug all cables, and take the batteries out of the remote. Bag the screws, cables and remote, and tape the bag to the back of the TV or pack it in a separate small box.
- Cover the screen. Lay a soft cover over the panel, then a sheet of cardboard cut to size, and tape it at the edges of the frame, never on the screen.
- Fit the corner protectors on all four corners. Corner impacts cause most cracked panels.
- Box it upright. Slide the TV into the box standing on its edge, the way it shipped from the factory. Fill every gap with foam or packing paper so it can’t shift, leaving at least 2 inches of cushioning on every side.
- Shake test and seal. Gently rock the box; nothing should move. Tape every seam with the H-tape method (along the center seam and both edge seams).
- Label it. Mark “Fragile” and “This Side Up” arrows on several sides, and attach the shipping label flat on the largest face.
The same techniques work for any screen. Our guide to shipping fragile items and valuables covers cushioning in more depth, and how to ship a monitor applies the same steps to smaller panels.
Should a TV be shipped upright or flat?
Ship flat-panel TVs upright, standing on their bottom edge. Manufacturers pack and ship them vertically because a panel lying flat is more prone to flexing under its own weight and under anything stacked on top. Carriers don’t guarantee orientation, so good corner protection and tight cushioning matter even with “This Side Up” labels.
How do you insure a TV you’re shipping?
Declare the TV’s full value when you buy the label. UPS includes liability up to $100 unless you declare a higher value, and USPS Ground Advantage and Priority Mail include up to $100 of insurance with most shipments, with additional coverage available. A carrier can deny a claim if the TV wasn’t packed well enough to survive normal handling, so keep your photos, the receipt and the packaging until you’ve confirmed the TV works.
If the TV arrives damaged, photograph the box and the set before unpacking further, keep all packing materials, and file the claim with the carrier (or with the insurer if you bought third-party coverage) as soon as possible.
How can you ship a TV for less?
Size drives the price of a TV shipment more than weight, because carriers bill large boxes by dimensional weight. Use the smallest box that still leaves room for 2 inches of cushioning, and compare carriers for your exact box size before you buy. Our guide to shipping large boxes explains how dimensional weight works.
ParcelPath is free to use, with no subscription or per-label fee, and gives up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS, plus Shipsurance coverage for high-value items. Enter your box’s weight and dimensions in the ParcelPath rate calculator to compare UPS and USPS side by side. You don’t need a printer: show a UPS Mobile Barcode at a UPS Store, or a USPS Label Broker code at the Post Office.
For a 75-inch-plus TV, or several sets at once, palletized LTL freight is usually the safer option, and you can get an LTL quote through the PalletPath freight quote tool. For a wider comparison of providers, see our overview of shipping services and solutions.
Shipping other electronics with your TV? Our hub on how to ship electronics covers anti-static packing and battery rules, and our guide to how to ship a laptop handles the most common companion device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ship a TV through USPS?
Yes, if the boxed TV is 70 lbs or less and no more than 130 inches in length plus girth for USPS Ground Advantage (108 inches for Priority Mail). That usually covers TVs up to about 43 to 50 inches. A boxed 55-inch set often measures just over 130 inches, so measure carefully or ship larger TVs with UPS.
What is the safest way to pack a TV for shipping?
Use the original box and foam inserts if you have them. Otherwise, use a double-walled TV box, cover the screen with a soft sheet and a cardboard panel, fit foam protectors on all four corners, and fill gaps so there’s at least 2 inches of cushioning on every side. Pack the TV standing upright and mark the box “This Side Up.”
What size TV can UPS ship?
UPS accepts packages up to 150 lbs, 108 inches in length and 165 inches in length plus girth. Most boxed TVs up to about 65 inches fall within those limits. A 75-inch or larger set is often too long or too large in combined size, and is safer shipped on a pallet as LTL freight.
Do I need insurance to ship a TV?
Yes, for anything more than an inexpensive set. UPS includes liability up to $100 unless you declare a higher value, and USPS includes up to $100 of insurance on Ground Advantage and Priority Mail. Declare the TV’s full value, and keep photos of the working TV and its packing in case you need to file a claim.
Sources
- USPS: USPS Ground Advantage
- USPS: Priority Mail
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 609: Filing Indemnity Claims
- UPS: Shipping Dimensions and Weight
Part of our How to Ship Electronics guide. Related: How to Ship a Monitor, How to Ship a Printer, How to Ship Speakers.
