Apple Inc. designed and developed the iMac, an all-in-one Macintosh desktop, debuting in 1998. The latest iMacs are delicate and cost a pretty penny when one decides to ship one; they need to get a trusted courier. If you want to ship your iMac to a different city, state, or country, you might be wondering how much it will cost to do so.
So, how much does it cost to ship an iMac? It can cost between 16 to 300 USD dollars to ship your iMac. The shipping cost will vary depending on the courier service you have selected because each courier has its rates and whether it’s by ground services or using air services. The destination of the iMac will also determine the shipping cost. Shipping the iMac within the US will be cheaper compared to shipping the iMac in another country. Before shipping an iMac, ensure it is safely packed to avoid getting it damaged.
Each of the iMac models has a different weight as shown in table 1 below. The shipping weight includes 3 lb (1.36 kg) for a strong enough box for the shipping along with any additional weight from foam padding for protection.
| Model | Weight | Shipping Weight |
| iMac Pro | 21.5 lb (9.7 kg) | 24.5 lb (11.11 kg) |
| 27” iMac | 20.8 lb (9.44 kg) | 23.8 lb (10.8 kg) |
| 24” iMac | 9.88 lb (4.48 kg) | 12.88 lb (5.84 kg) |
| 21” iMac | 12.5 lb (5.66 kg) | 15.5 lb (7.03 kg) |
Taking the shipping weights and the different delivery options, we can approximate the delivery costs for ground-based delivery, like the UPS® Ground service, as shown in table 2 below.
| Zone | iMac Pro | 27″ iMac | 24″ iMac | 21″ iMac |
| 2 | $16.41 | $16.23 | $13.55 | $14.41 |
| 3 | $19.16 | $18.95 | $14.46 | $15.6 |
| 4 | $20.48 | $20.23 | $15.46 | $16.12 |
| 5 | $24.29 | $23.81 | $16.81 | $18.14 |
| 6 | $29.53 | $29.02 | $18.41 | $21.23 |
| 7 | $35.62 | $34.14 | $22.49 | $26.05 |
| 8 | $40.64 | $39.86 | $24.22 | $28.62 |
| 44 | $116.85 | $113.34 | $76.75 | $86.58 |
| 45 | $137.92 | $133.28 | $85.01 | $96.19 |
| 46 | $126.21 | $122.68 | $86.95 | $96.70 |
UPS Ground zones are based on distance with some exceptions for non-contiguous US locations, as shown in table 3 below.
| Zone | Distance |
| Zone 2 | 51 to 150 miles |
| Zone 3 | 151 to 300 miles |
| Zone 4 | 301 to 600 miles |
| Zone 5 | 601 to 1,000 miles |
| Zone 6 | 1,001 to 1,400 miles |
| Zone 7 | 1,401 to 1,800 miles |
| Zone 8 | 1,801 or more miles |
| Zone 44 | Metro Alaska , Hawaii |
| Zone 45 | Puerto Rico |
| Zone 46 | Remote Alaska, Hawaii |
For delivery using air services, table 4 below shows the approximate cost for the UPS Next Day Air Saver® delivery option.
| Zone | iMac Pro | 27″ iMac | 24″ iMac | 21″ iMac |
| 132 | $75.02 | $74.02 | $53.59 | $59.02 |
| 133 | $106.42 | $104.26 | $79.45 | $86.21 |
| 134 | $206.86 | $204.60 | $142.62 | $162.51 |
| 135 | $224.90 | $224.18 | $156.72 | $176.19 |
| 136 | $233.54 | $232.54 | $169.20 | $188.29 |
| 137 | $258.44 | $255.47 | $184.14 | $203.69 |
| 138 | $263.94 | $262.92 | $188.65 | $210.66 |
UPS Next Day Air® Early, arrive before 8am for most cities, with cities further out, delivery before 9.30am guaranteed as shown in table 5 below.
| Zone | iMac Pro | 27″ iMac | 24″ iMac | 21″ iMac |
| 102 | 109.52 | 109.11 | 89.82 | 95.22 |
| 103 | 141.66 | 141.22 | 115.58 | 127.57 |
| 104 | 252.44 | 245.08 | 181.95 | 202.7 |
| 105 | 270.2 | 269.26 | 208.95 | 231.72 |
| 106 | 279.61 | 274.84 | 212.71 | 236.98 |
| 107 | 304.59 | 303.47 | 232.73 | 256.22 |
| 108 | 310.03 | 309.31 | 236.82 | 260.76 |
| 124 | 352.11 | 342.27 | 260.87 | 288.5 |
An iMac costs between 1,299 and 1,499 USD, and Apple usually packages it well and uses reliable courier services to ship them to their customers. If you are shipping an iMac, you need a reliable courier service to ensure it arrives safe and secure.
An iMac is a delicate device and expensive, hence many people are hesitant to ship it to another location. While searching for a courier service to ship your iMac, one of the things you will use to make your decision is the shipping cost. Here is how much it would cost to ship an iMac.
It costs between 40 and 300 USD to ship your iMac. The price would differ depending on the courier service you select. Each courier service has its own rates, hence the price quote you will get from one company might be different from the others.
There are many courier services in the US, but some of the most reliable ones include FedEx, UPS, DHL USA, USPS, TNT, Spee-Dee Delivery Service, and Pace Couriers, among others. Other factors that will affect the shipping cost of your iMac include size and weight, distance, and the type of shipping service you want.
The iMac models have three different sizes, 21.5 inches, 27 inches, and 24 inches. These iMac models also have different weight measures. Some courier services will weigh your package before telling you how much you need to pay.
The large and heavy package will cost more than the small and light one. If you include other items in the package such as cables, mouse, and keyboard, the package will become heavier, which will cost you more.
Therefore, if you want to save money when shipping your iMac, ensure the package is snug enough to maintain the dimensions of your iMac and avoid adding more unnecessary items to the package.
Most courier services offer regular and priority shipping. When you select regular shipping, you will pay a cheaper shipping cost, and usually, the package takes a few days to arrive. Priority shipping will cost you more, but the package will arrive within a day or two.
If the person you are shipping the iMac to is not in a hurry to use it, you can use regular shipping to ship the device to them. However, if the person needs to use the iMac as soon as possible, you should find a courier service that offers priority shipping and send the package immediately.
Courier companies use the distance between the departing location and destination to determine the cost of shipping. Shipping the iMac to a nearby city or state will not cost a lot of money. However, shipping to a state that is far or even shipping the iMac to another country will cost you more.
The general rule on shipping is simple; the further your package travels, the more you will have to pay. There are websites that you can use to get an estimate of shipping costs. You will need to enter your address, the address of the receiver, and the package’s dimensions and weight. The cost of shipping to another country could even increase depending on their custom and duty fees.
When looking for a courier service to ship your iMac, it is important to note that going for the courier service with the lowest quote could be a disaster. Not all courier services offer the best services, and many people have bad experiences with various companies.
Some courier services do not have a secure system, for example, leaving the package on the doorstep, making it easy for “porch pirates” to steal it. Some workers would also handle the package poorly; hence the receiver might get a damaged iMac. The most important thing you need to consider before selecting a courier service is their ability to deliver the package safely to the correct person.
How Do I Ship an iMac Package?
After selling your iMac online, if the buyer lives far from you, you need to find a way to get the iMac to the buyer. After preparing your iMac and packing it, you need to safely ship the package to the buyer as soon as possible. Here is how you can ship an iMac package.
The first thing you need to do is package the iMac securely. The iMac is delicate, and if you pack it poorly, it could get damaged. After packing the iMac, you need to select the best courier service to deliver the iMac. Some of the best courier services you should use include UPS, USPS, and FedEx.
After selecting your preferred courier service, select how fast you need the package to deliver. The cost of shipping will be higher if you select priority shipping. Since an iMac is fragile and expensive, you should add insurance to ensure you are covered if it gets damaged during shipping. You can also opt to track the shipment and have the courier service send a confirmation once the iMac package is delivered.
When shipping an iMac package, the most important part is ensuring that it is packaged securely. If the package is handled roughly, the iMac might not get damaged since it is secured perfectly in the package.
If possible, use the original box for your iMac to ship it. If you cannot find the original box, purchase a shipping box with the correct dimensions. To protect the iMac, you can either use bubble wrap or foam inserts, or a mixture of both.
If you include any accessories in the package, you should also bubble wrap them to protect them. After placing the iMac in the shipping box, use packing tape to seal the top and bottom of the box.
Insurance is very important when shipping electronics or fragile items. Some courier services will require you to add insurance when you ship fragile or expensive items. If you sold your iMac and it gets damaged during shipping, the shipping company will not be liable.
You will have to reimburse the buyer and repair your iMac before you can sell it again. To avoid all these troubles, get the insurance that will ensure you are covered for any loss or damage during the shipping. Each courier service has different terms and conditions regarding the insurance of packages; ensure you read your courier’s terms and conditions before adding the insurance.
Tracking your iMac package is important to ensure your iMac reaches its destination and to the correct person. One of the biggest problems facing courier services is “Porch Pirates”. “Porch Pirates” are people who steal packages left on a porch.
To ensure your iMac package reaches the correct person, you should use a courier service that offers to track the package. Tracking means you will be able to monitor the shipping progress and when the package will reach the destination.
Therefore, you can communicate with the receiver and ask them to be at home or their place of work to receive the package. You can also opt for the courier service to obtain a signature to confirm delivery.
Once the person receives the package, they will be required to sign for it by the delivery person. The courier service will email you a copy of the signature to confirm the delivery. If the person denies receiving the iMac package, you can use the signature to prove the package reached them, and they acknowledged receipt.
How Safe Is Apple Delivery?
When you shop for any Apple device on Apple’s online store, you can choose between delivery and pick up. If you select delivery, Apple will send the device to your chosen location; if you select pick up, you will be required to collect the device from your desired location. Before you choose any option, you might be wondering how safe Apple’s delivery is.
Apple delivery is safe because the company uses all measures to ensure that the product reaches the intended person including requiring a signature before delivery can be released to them. Apple uses UPS or FedEx to deliver Apple devices bought from its online store.
Suppose you select the item purchased to be delivered to a physical address. In that case, you will get a “Shipment Notification email” with information such as estimated delivery date, carrier information, and, if available, a tracking number. When the carrier selected delivers the Apple package, the delivery person will require you or an adult present to sign for the delivery.
If the delivery person does not find anyone, they will leave a note on your door and take the item back to their local facility. Courier services used by Apple will never leave packages on doorsteps unless you request them to do so.
Most Apple devices are very expensive, and Apple Inc. uses numerous methods to ensure that your package reaches you safely without any damage. If your order from the Apple Store has a tracking number, you can use it to track the shipment’s progress and see how long it will take for your package to arrive.
To track your package, using your browser, open the Apple website page and search “Order Status”. Sign in using your Apple ID and password and select “Edit Orders”. Go to “Your Order” and click on “Track Shipment”.
This window will reveal to you the item’s estimated delivery date, its tracking number, and the shipping address. If you ordered several items, you need to click on each item to show tracking information.
Apple requires a signature to ensure the packages have reached the correct person. After you have placed your order, Apple sends you a Shipment Notification email informing you whether your signature will be required or not. If you will not be present to sign for the package, you should select the address of someone you trust to sign for the package.
Once your order has been prepared for shipping or has been shipped, you cannot change the shipping address. You should note that Apple will not ship to a P.O Box address, United States territories, or any addresses outside the United States.
If the delivery person makes the first attempt and you are not available, they are not required to release the package to anyone or leave it on your porch or doorstep. The delivery person will return the package to the local facility after leaving the Delivery Notice on your door. You can call the number of the Delivery Notice and inform the delivery person to deliver the package to you on a particular date, or you can go to the facility and pick up the package.
If you go to the carrier’s local facility to collect your package, ensure you bring the Delivery Notice, your Government ID, such as a passport, or a second ID with your name, such as a Social Security card.
You should note that the carrier will only release the package to the person indicated on the Delivery Notice. You cannot send someone else with your ID and the Delivery Notice to pick up the package.
Summary
Shipping your iMac can be an easy task if you select a reliable courier service. The shipping costs will depend on the courier’s rates, distance, package dimensions, size, and delivery type. Before shipping your iMac, you need to ensure the package is done securely to prevent the iMac from getting damaged.
You should also consider adding insurance when shipping your iMac before shipping it. Since the iMac is fragile and expensive, the insurance will help cover the losses if the iMac gets damaged or lost.
When you order your item from Apple’s online store, the Apple device you bought will reach you safely and in good shape. Apple uses FedEx and UPS to deliver its products, and these carriers have the best system in place to ensure they deliver the products to the correct person.
