Commercial appliances are built to work hard, not necessarily to travel. Restaurant equipment, commercial refrigeration units, medical chillers, large-format printers, and other business-critical equipment often weigh hundreds or thousands of pounds and contain components that can be damaged if they're handled incorrectly. That is why businesses frequently turn to specialized packing, crating, and shipping providers when it's time to relocate, sell, upgrade, or redistribute equipment. Navis Pack & Ship helps businesses move commercial appliances safely with professional packing, custom crating, and shipping services designed for heavy, oversized, and high-value equipment.
What Types of Commercial Appliances Are Commonly Shipped?
Businesses ship commercial appliances for many reasons, including facility relocations, restaurant expansions, equipment sales, auctions, remodels, warehouse consolidations, and business closures. Navis regularly helps pack and ship:
- Convection Ovens and Combi Ovens
- Commercial Refrigerators and Walk-In Components
- Deep Freezers and Cold Storage Equipment
- Commercial Ranges, Griddles, and Fryers
- Restaurant Mixers, Food Processors, and Dishwashers
- Large-Format Printers and Copiers
- Medical and Laboratory Chillers
- Ice Machines and Beverage Equipment
- Vending Machines and Specialty Commercial Equipment
Why Shipping Commercial Appliances Is More Complex Than It Looks
Commercial appliances often combine three difficult shipping characteristics: size, weight, and fragility. While they may appear durable on the outside, many contain sensitive electronics, compressors, control systems, refrigeration components, or moving parts that require protection during transport.
- Specialized Handling Equipment: Many appliances require pallet jacks, forklifts, liftgates, ramps, or multiple handlers for safe movement.
- Sensitive Components: Control panels, refrigeration systems, electronics, and internal mechanisms can be vulnerable to shock and vibration.
- Preparation Requirements: Refrigerants, fluids, shelves, doors, and loose components often need to be secured before shipping.
- Oversized Dimensions: Many units require palletizing, custom crating, or freight services designed for oversized shipments.
- Business Downtime: Delays can impact operations, making careful planning and reliable transportation important.
How Commercial Appliances Are Packed for Shipping
The best packing method depends on the appliance, destination, transportation method, and value of the equipment. Some items can be palletized and wrapped, while others benefit from fully enclosed custom wooden crates designed to protect against impact, shifting, vibration, and repeated handling. Protective measures may include:
- Custom wooden shipping crates
- Palletizing and stretch wrapping
- Blocking and bracing
- Foam cushioning and protective padding
- Export-compliant crating for international shipments
- Moisture protection when required
Commercial Appliance Shipping Solutions at Navis Pack & Ship
Every shipment receives a customized approach based on the equipment being transported.
- Custom Crating & Palletizing: Durable protection designed around the equipment's dimensions and shipping requirements.
- Specialized Handling Equipment: Liftgates, pallet jacks, forklifts, and other equipment for safer loading and unloading.
- Secure Packing: Professional packing designed to reduce movement and minimize risk during transit.
- Domestic & International Shipping: Truck, air, and ocean freight options available.
- Storage Options: Short-term and long-term storage may be available before final delivery.
- White Glove Delivery: Inside delivery, placement, and other specialized services depending on project requirements.
Who Uses Commercial Appliance Shipping Services?
Commercial appliance shipping is commonly used by restaurants, food service companies, healthcare facilities, laboratories, schools, universities, hotels, property management companies, retailers, manufacturers, auction buyers and sellers, equipment dealers, and businesses relocating or upgrading facilities.
Why Businesses Choose Navis Pack & Ship
Navis begins with an evaluation of the equipment, destination, timeline, and handling requirements. From there, our team develops a packing, crating, and transportation plan tailored to the shipment. Throughout the process, customers receive communication, shipment visibility, and support from experienced logistics professionals who regularly work with oversized and high-value freight.
Request a Commercial Appliance Shipping Quote
If you need to move restaurant equipment, refrigeration units, laboratory chillers, commercial printers, vending machines, or other large appliances, Navis Pack & Ship can help. Contact your local Navis location to discuss your shipment and request a custom quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Navis ship commercial refrigerators and freezers?
Yes. Navis regularly helps businesses ship commercial refrigerators, freezers, cold storage equipment, and other large appliances using appropriate packing, crating, and freight services.
Do commercial appliances need custom crating?
Not always. Some appliances can be safely palletized, while others benefit from custom crating depending on their value, fragility, size, destination, and transportation method.
Can Navis pick up equipment from a restaurant, warehouse, or business location?
Yes. Many Navis locations can coordinate pickup from commercial facilities, restaurants, offices, warehouses, schools, and other business locations.
Can commercial appliances be shipped internationally?
Yes. Navis can help coordinate international shipments and provide export-compliant crating and shipping solutions when required.
Can Navis store commercial appliances before delivery?
Storage options may be available for equipment that needs to be staged, consolidated, or held before final delivery.
