How to ship a stroller (in 9 easy steps) | Red Stag Fulfillment

How to ship a stroller (in 9 easy steps)

Ismar Hrnjičević

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Shipping a stroller shouldn’t cost a fortune or risk damage to your valuable item. Whether you’re selling, moving, or gifting a stroller, proper shipping practices make all the difference.

Drawing from our experience shipping thousands of strollers for major brands, we’ll show you exactly how to pack your stroller to prevent damage, choose the right shipping carrier, save money on shipping costs, find the right box, and everything else you need to know to ship your stroller.

TL;DR:

Key takeaways

Shipping costs: Expect to pay ~$190-250 for domestic ground shipping, though costs vary by carrier and distance. Dimensional weight often exceeds actual weight, driving up costs. Save money by disassembling the stroller to reduce package size and comparing rates across carriers—prices can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same service.

Box selection: Your stroller needs a heavy-duty corrugated box with 2-4 inches of extra space on all sides for protective packaging. Most strollers fit in boxes between 26″ x 26″ x 20″ and 48″ x 24″ x 24″, though oversized strollers may need custom boxes. Always choose a box rated for the stroller’s weight. You can get individual boxes at your local UPS or FedEx store, or in bulk from an online retailer like ULine.

Packaging basics: Proper packaging starts with disassembly. Remove wheels and detachable parts to reduce size and prevent damage. Double-wrap all fragile components in bubble wrap and use corner protectors on the frame. Fill empty spaces completely to prevent movement during transit.

Carrier selection: Major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS all ship strollers, with ground shipping offering the best value for most situations. Consider insurance for valuable strollers and verify size restrictions – USPS has a 70lb weight limit. Research carrier reputations for handling oversized packages in your shipping zone.

A step-by-step guide to shipping your stroller

This 9-step guide walks you through the entire shipping process, from preparing your stroller for transit to getting it safely to its destination. We cover packing materials, box sizes (and where to get them), shipping carriers, cost, and more.

Clean and document the stroller’s condition

01

Clean your stroller with mild soap and water, then let it dry completely. While cleaning, photograph and video the stroller’s condition, focusing on:

This documentation protects you if you need to file a damage claim with the carrier.

Disassemble the stroller

02

Breaking down the stroller reduces shipping costs and prevents damage to vulnerable parts. Remove these components (if possible):

If you need guidance, check YouTube for a video showing how to disassemble your stroller model. Failing that, contact the company for assistance.

PRO TIP: Place all screws and small parts in sealed, labeled plastic bags for easier reassembly at the destination. Keep the seat padding and basket attached unless they significantly increase package size.

Choose between DIY or professional packaging

03

If sourcing materials and packing your stroller sounds daunting, consider professional packaging services from UPS or FedEx. These carriers offer packing services at most retail locations, including:

The process is simple: drop off your disassembled stroller at a UPS or FedEx location, and their staff will handle the rest. While this costs more than DIY packaging, it includes damage protection and eliminates the need to source materials yourself.

PRO TIP: Call ahead to verify the location offers packing services and can accommodate your stroller’s size. Not all retail locations offer full packing services.

Gather your packing materials

04

Start with a heavy-duty corrugated cardboard box sized to fit your stroller plus protective cushioning. Add 2–4″ (5 to 10 cm) on all sides for padding materials.

Common stroller box sizes:

PRO TIP: Measure your folded stroller’s length, width, and height before ordering a box. For an individual shipment, call your local UPS or FedEx for a box. For bulk shipments, packaging supply retailers like Uline offer likely boxes in these dimensions.

Required packing materials checklist:

PRO TIP: Buy more materials than you think you need – running out mid-packing can compromise protection. Extra supplies work for future shipments or returns.

Prepare and wrap the stroller

05

Proper wrapping prevents damage and keeps all parts organized during transit. Follow this sequence:

Secure the frame

  1. Lock the stroller in its folded position
  2. Add packaging straps to prevent unfolding (optional)
  3. Cover sharp corners with foam protectors or bubble wrap
  4. Secure all protection with electrical tape

PRO TIP: Fold fabric parts like canopies and seat covers carefully to prevent permanent creases. Consider removing and rolling them separately if your stroller allows.

Protect individual components

  1. Place small parts in labeled plastic bags
  2. Double-wrap wheel axles with bubble wrap
  3. Put documentation in waterproof plastic bags
  4. Group similar parts together in labeled bags

Add final protection

  1. Wrap the entire stroller frame in bubble wrap
  2. Overlap wrap sections by 50% for full coverage
  3. Secure wrap edges with packing tape
  4. Test wrap security by running your hand over all areas

ALERT: Pay special attention to wheel axles and other sharp components – these frequently puncture boxes during transit.

Pack your stroller using the H-pattern method

06

Start with box preparation:

  1. Assemble box according to manufacturer instructions
  2. Line with heavy-duty plastic bags, overlapping at corners
  3. Secure bags to box walls with packing tape
  4. Reinforce all outer seams with H-pattern tape strips
  5. Add protective layer to bottom and walls (foam or bubble wrap)

ALERT: Never skip the plastic bag lining – water damage during shipping voids most insurance claims.

Loading sequence:

  1. Place box horizontally on floor for safer loading
  2. Center the wrapped stroller frame
  3. Distribute heavy parts (wheels, handlebars) evenly around frame
  4. Fill gaps with packing peanuts or air pillows
  5. Add final protective layer on top

PRO TIP: Test your packing quality by gently shaking the box. A well-packed stroller should make no noise. If you hear movement, add more cushioning material.

Quality check before sealing:

  1. Check all corners are supported with cushioning
  2. Place heavy parts at opposite ends to balance weight
  3. Press firmly on box sides – no hollow spaces should exist
  4. Verify plastic liner covers all seams and corners
  5. Test box stability on each side

Seal and label your box

07

Seal the box:

  1. Apply packing tape in an H-pattern on top and bottom
  2. Cross-strap the box with packaging straps
  3. Pull straps tight and secure with buckles
  4. Reinforce all edges with additional tape

Add required labels:

Double-check these label details:

ALERT: Place shipping labels flat (not over box edges) and cover completely with clear tape to prevent water damage.

Choose your shipping carrier and speed

08

Shipping a stroller across the country or internationally requires choosing between speed and cost. Ground shipping typically takes 3-5 business days but costs 3-4 times less than overnight service. Unless time is critical, ground shipping offers the best value for most situations.

Each carrier has specific weight limits for standard shipping:

Your final cost mainly depends on weight, package dimensions, and speed.

Dimensions matter because carriers use dimensional weight pricing, which means large, light packages often cost more than small, heavy ones. A bulky stroller might cost more to ship than its actual weight suggests.

PRO TIP: Use our Dimensional weight calculator to check the estimated shipping costs for your stroller based on package size.

Example shipping costs based on the Orbit Baby G5

Carrier Overnight 2 Business Days 3-5 Business Days
UPS $832 $600 $194
FedEx $999 $787 $192
DHL $672 N/A N/A
USPS $625 $263 $197

PRO TIP: Ground shipping typically offers the best value. Express services cost 3-4 times more but only save 2-3 days on delivery time.

Here are a few extra tips to save money:

Send tracking and delivery instructions

09

Message your recipient immediately after shipping with:

ALERT: Tell your recipient to inspect the delivery before accepting it. Carriers won’t honor damage claims after the recipient signs for the package.

Give these inspection instructions:

PRO TIP: Save all tracking notifications and delivery confirmations until the recipient confirms the stroller arrived safely. You’ll need this documentation if you need to file an insurance claim.

A warning on lithium-ion batteries

Some electric strollers contain lithium-ion batteries, which face special shipping rules:

ALERT: Failing to declare lithium batteries can result in shipment rejection, fines, and possible legal penalties.

Scale your stroller business with professional fulfillment

Running an ecommerce stroller business? Red Stag Fulfillment specializes in shipping bulky, valuable items like strollers. Our fulfillment network ships to 96% of U.S. addresses within two days.

Red Stag handles your entire fulfillment operation:

We even pay you if we make a mistake. That’s how confident we are in our ability to protect and deliver your strollers safely.

Ready to focus on growing your business instead of packing boxes? Contact Red Stag Fulfillment to learn about our stroller shipping expertise.