Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
For large or heavy items in Nigeria (furniture, fridges, generators, office equipment, bulk stock), a standard parcel courier is often the wrong tool. Small bulky items up to a few dozen kilos can go by courier: GIG’s 2026 Lagos–Abuja rates start around ₦12,000 to ₦18,000 or more for parcels over 5 kg. Anything bigger is better sent by van (up to about 2,500 kg on some platforms) or truck (3 to 30 tonnes), priced per trip. Moving-truck operators advertise local moves from about ₦25,000 and interstate moves from about ₦80,000.
Sending a sofa across Lagos or a chest freezer to Abuja raises questions a small parcel never does: will it fit, who lifts it, what if it gets scratched, and how is the price worked out? This guide explains what counts as a large item, the delivery options and their 2026 costs, how to pack bulky goods so they arrive in one piece, and how to book a large-item delivery through Travo.
What counts as a large item?
Roughly, anything too heavy for one person to carry comfortably, or too big for a courier’s standard parcel sizes. Common examples:
- Furniture: sofas, beds and mattresses, wardrobes, dining sets, office desks and chairs.
- Appliances: fridges and freezers, washing machines, cookers, air-conditioning units, large TVs.
- Power equipment: generators, inverters and batteries, solar panels.
- Business stock: cartons on pallets, shop fittings, printers and IT racks.
- Event and gym equipment: canopies, chairs, sound systems, treadmills.
- Vehicles and machinery: motorcycles, tricycles, farm pumps (often need a truck or specialist carrier).
Your delivery options compared
| Option | Best for | Capacity | 2026 price guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parcel courier (hub network) | Boxed items up to a few dozen kg | Priced by weight band | Lagos–Abuja over 5 kg: ₦12,000 – ₦18,000+ (GIG, via Brands.ng); last-mile fee ₦500 – ₦2,500+ |
| Van with driver | One to a few large items, same-day city delivery | Up to about 2,500 kg (Kwik vans) | Quoted per trip |
| Moving truck with crew | Household or office contents | Small to large trucks | Local from about ₦25,000; interstate from about ₦80,000; office from about ₦150,000 (Naija Car Hire) |
| Dedicated truck (haulage) | Pallets, bulk stock, machinery | 3 to 30 tonnes (Kwik); 1 to 30 tonnes by type | Quoted per trip; see truck table below |
Sources: Brands.ng GIG Logistics price guide (May/June 2026); Kwik published fleet; Naija Car Hire moving-truck page (viewed 28 September 2026). Third-party figures; get a quote for your item and route.
Truck hire price bands
| Truck | Capacity | Within a city | Interstate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini truck | 1 – 2 t | ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 | ₦40,000 – ₦70,000 |
| Small truck | 3 – 5 t | ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 | ₦70,000 – ₦100,000 |
| Medium truck | 6 – 10 t | ₦50,000 – ₦80,000 | ₦100,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Large truck | 11 – 20 t | ₦80,000 – ₦120,000 | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
Source: Viscorner (3 September 2025). Dated: diesel has risen since, reaching ₦1,790 to ₦2,100 per litre at Lagos depots in September 2026 (Vanguard), so treat these as a floor.
What affects the price of large-item delivery
- Size and weight. Couriers charge by weight band and often by size; trucks by capacity used.
- Distance and route. Interstate trips cost more, and remote destinations may need a transfer.
- Handling. Stairs, no lift, long carries from the gate, or dismantling and reassembly add labour.
- Fragility. Glass tops, screens and antiques need extra packing and care.
- Timing. Same-day, weekend and end-of-month moves are in higher demand.
- Shared or dedicated vehicle. Sharing a van with other loads is cheaper but slower.
Send a large item with Travo
Tell us what it is, its size and weight, and the pickup and drop-off points. We will match the right van or truck and confirm the price before pickup.
How to pack large and heavy items
- Fridges and freezers: empty, defrost and dry them a day ahead; tape doors shut; remove glass shelves and pack separately; keep upright where the manufacturer advises.
- Washing machines: drain fully and fit transit bolts if you still have them.
- Furniture: remove legs and handles, bag and label screws, wrap in blankets or bubble wrap, protect corners.
- TVs and screens: use the original box if possible, or a padded crate; carry upright.
- Generators: drain fuel before loading and secure the unit upright so it cannot tip.
- Everything: photograph items before pickup, list them, and note existing marks.
How to book a large-item courier with Travo
- Measure and weigh the item (length, width, height, approximate weight) and take a photo.
- Share access details: floor level, lift or stairs, gate restrictions, parking for a van or truck.
- Choose timing: same-day, a set date, or flexible (flexible is often cheaper).
- Get a firm quote that states the vehicle, number of handlers, and what is included.
- Ask about cover for loss or damage in transit and what it requires from you.
- Inspect on delivery before signing, and report damage straight away with photos.
Who uses large-item delivery?
- Households moving house or buying furniture and appliances.
- Online sellers delivering bulky orders to customers.
- Offices relocating or refitting.
- Event planners moving equipment between venues.
- Traders restocking shops from markets such as those in Lagos Island or Onitsha.
For whole-home moves, our moving van quotes guide and moving services page go into more detail.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send a large item within Nigeria?
For boxed items of moderate weight, use a parcel courier. For furniture, appliances and anything over a van load, book a van or truck with a driver and, if needed, handlers.
How much does it cost to send heavy items from Lagos to Abuja?
A parcel over 5 kg costs about ₦12,000 to ₦18,000 or more with GIG, according to a 2026 price guide. Furniture and appliances usually need a van or truck quoted per trip; moving trucks advertise interstate trips from about ₦80,000.
Can a courier deliver a fridge or generator?
Some couriers accept them if packed and within their size and weight limits, but a van with handlers is usually safer and simpler.
How big a load can a van carry?
Kwik lists vans up to 2,500 kg. Beyond that, you need a truck; sizes run from about 3 to 30 tonnes.
Is my item insured during delivery?
Not automatically. Ask the carrier what cover applies, its limits and what proof you need if something is damaged.
Can I get same-day delivery for a large item in Lagos?
Often, yes, if a suitable van is free. Book early in the day and have the item ready and accessible.
Related guides
- Furniture couriers in Nigeria
- Hire a moving van in Nigeria
- Book a van or truck for haulage
- Interstate package delivery in Nigeria
- Part-load removals in Lagos
Need a bigger vehicle? See Travo haulage services.
Sources: Brands.ng, GIG Logistics price list 2026; Kwik fleet; Naija Car Hire moving trucks; Viscorner truck hire (Sep 2025); Vanguard, diesel prices (13 Sep 2026). Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
