How Much Does It Cost to Ship Restaurant Equipment? (2026 Guide)

The most common question we get is also the hardest to answer in one number: what does it cost to ship restaurant equipment? Pricing depends on weight, dimensions, distance, access, and how much handling the equipment needs. Understanding those drivers helps you budget accurately and avoid surprise charges after delivery.

The main factors that drive your quote

Weight and cubic dimensions set the baseline — a walk-in cooler costs more to move than a stack of prep tables. Distance matters, but so does lane density: shipping between major metros is cheaper than a remote rural delivery. Access is the wild card: stairs, tight doorways, no loading dock, and long carries all add labor and equipment cost.

Handling level: dock-to-dock vs white-glove

Basic dock-to-dock freight is the cheapest option but assumes you have a forklift and crew on both ends. Most restaurant operators do not, so white-glove service — liftgate, inside delivery, uncrating, and setting each piece in place — is worth the added cost. It is the difference between a pallet dropped at the curb and equipment staged exactly where your kitchen plan calls for it.

Crating, rigging, and specialty charges

Oversized hoods, glass-door merchandisers, and heavy combi ovens often need custom crating and rigging, which is priced separately. Declared-value coverage above the standard cargo insurance, storage between pickup and delivery, and Certificates of Insurance for a venue or landlord are all add-ons you should ask about up front.

How to keep costs down

Consolidate shipments into a single pickup when you can, provide accurate dimensions and weights before the quote, and share photos of spec plates and access points so there are no re-quotes on delivery day. The more detail you give up front, the tighter and more reliable your price.

Want a real number for your equipment? Send dimensions, weights, and photos and we will return an all-in quote within one business day. Call (866) 216-7742 or email usacommericalmovers@highvalueproductshipping.com.