Shipping sailing gear without gambling on it.
Small + robust → parcel. Long / awkward → oversized parcel if accepted. Heavy / very long / orientation-sensitive → freight or pallet. If the carrier won't explicitly accept it → collection only.
1. Choose the transport class
Normal parcel
Electronics, blocks, winches, clothing, smaller sails and compact dinghy parts. Use a rigid outer box and cushioning.
Long / non-conveyable
Mast sections, poles, some booms and awkward gear. Carrier limits vary sharply by route. Measure first, then book.
Pallet / freight / collection
Large yacht spars, engines, rudders, bulky hardware and anything too long, heavy or unstable for a parcel network.
2. Current carrier limits that matter
| Carrier/service | Published limit | What that means for sailing gear |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Lithuania small parcel | Up to 70 kg; max length 274 cm; max length + girth 400 cm. | A ~2.26 m ILCA lower mast can fit in principle if its packed dimensions stay within the combined limit. Long packages may attract extra handling charges. |
| DPD Lithuania — standard | Max length 100 cm; recommended girth up to 290 cm; normally 25 kg. | Good for compact gear, not spars. |
| DPD — non-conveyable Baltics | Lithuania/Latvia/Estonia: max length 240 cm. Other countries: max length 175 cm. DPD publishes additional route restrictions for Nordic destinations. | Useful for some dinghy spars inside the Baltics; much less useful for long international sailing gear. |
| DPD pallet | Large/heavy items may need a pallet; published examples include Euro pallets and non-standard pallet services. | Better fit for engines or bulky equipment than trying to force them into parcel handling. |
3. Quick size checker
4. Pack it like the courier will actually handle it
- Use rigid external packaging. UPS recommends a rigid corrugated box; DPD requires a strong external package plus internal protection.
- Stop movement inside the package. Cushion the item so it cannot slide, hammer into the ends, or touch the outer walls where fragile.
- Protect the ends of spars aggressively. For mast sections, poles and booms, use a rigid tube/box plus reinforced end caps. A thin plastic wrap is not structural packaging.
- Use proper shipping tape. UPS specifically advises against string or paper over-wrap because it can snag in automated systems.
- Put a duplicate address inside. UPS recommends a second address label inside the parcel in case the outer label is damaged or detached.
- Photograph the item and finished package before hand-off. Keep serial numbers, condition photos and the packed dimensions. This gives both sides evidence if damage occurs.
- Always use tracking. For valuable equipment, choose declared-value/insurance options where the carrier offers them and read the exclusions before paying.
- Never disguise an oversized item as a smaller parcel. It can be surcharged, returned, rejected or handled in a way the packaging was never designed for.
5. Gear-specific recommendations
Sails
Dry completely. Fold or roll as appropriate for the sail. Protect battens/hardware from punching through the bag or box. Avoid trapping moisture.
Electronics
Remove loose brackets where sensible, protect screens and connectors, bag accessories separately, then suspend/cushion the unit inside a rigid box.
Winches & hardware
Dense items need dense cushioning and a box rated for the weight. Prevent the metal part from moving or breaking through the carton.
Masts, booms & poles
Measure after adding end protection. Use rigid tubular/boxed packaging. If length exceeds the booked carrier's published limit, use freight or collection.
Engines
Prefer pallet/freight for heavier units. Follow the manufacturer and carrier rules for fluids, batteries and hazardous materials; do not guess.
Safety equipment
Check carrier restrictions before shipping items containing gas cylinders, pyrotechnics, batteries or other regulated components. Some services prohibit or restrict them.
6. When Docklist recommends collection only
Use collection only when the item is too long or awkward for available parcel services, when safe packaging cannot realistically protect it, when the carrier will not explicitly accept it, or when shipping would cost enough that direct handover makes more sense.