What Is a Handling Fee and Why Is It Separate From Shipping?
A handling fee is a charge assessed by the carrier for the additional labor or special processing required to move certain shipments through their delivery network. This can include, but is not limited to:
Oversized or heavy items
Use of forklifts, pallet jacks, or special equipment
Manual handling beyond standard loading and unloading
Special delivery conditions such as liftgate service, inside delivery, or limited-access locations
Handling fees are determined by the carrier, not the retailer, and are non-refundable once assessed.
What Shipping Carriers Do You Use?
Most items ship through common ground carriers such as UPS and FedEx. Smaller items may also ship via USPS Priority Mail.
Some ground shipments may be assessed a non-refundable handling fee depending on the size, weight, or delivery requirements.
How Are Large or Heavy Items Shipped?
Items weighing over 150 lbs ship via freight carriers. Some freight shipments may also be assessed a non-refundable handling fee due to the specialized equipment and labor required for delivery.
Why Isn’t the Handling Fee Included in My Shipping Cost at Checkout?
The shipping fee shown at checkout reflects the base transportation cost from our warehouse to your delivery location. Handling fees are applied separately by the carrier based on:
Actual shipment weight and dimensions
Delivery location and accessibility
Required special handling services
Because these factors can vary, handling fees are sometimes billed outside of the standard shipping charge.
Summary
Shipping Fee: Base transportation cost
Handling Fee: Carrier-assessed charge for extra labor or special processing
Applies To: Some ground shipments and some freight shipments
Refundable: We offer Economy Free Shipping per policy; handling fees are non-refundable
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