How Much Does It Cost to Ship Work-from-Home Equipment in 2025?
Outfitting remote employees isn’t just about sending laptops anymore. In 2025, companies are grappling with rising costs and complex logistics when shipping remote employee equipment. Whether you’re sending a single laptop or a full home office kit across town—or across the globe—knowing how much it costs to ship work-from-home equipment is critical. Hidden fees, customs, packaging, and insurance all add up, and mistakes can delay employees from starting work or increase expenses.
In this guide, we’ll break down domestic and international shipping costs, uncover hidden charges, provide best practices, and show how Retriever makes shipping and managing remote employee equipment seamless.
Cost Breakdown: Domestic vs. International Shipping
Shipping costs depend on the device, destination, and speed. Here’s a practical breakdown in 2025:
1. Laptops
Domestic (U.S.): $15–$80 for standard shipping via USPS, UPS, or FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping with insurance can reach $100–$150.
International: $100–$250, depending on the country and courier. Customs fees may apply, increasing the total cost.
2. Monitors
Domestic: $40–$120 based on size and weight. Fragile screens require double-boxing.
International: $150–$400. Shipping high-value monitors often requires extra protective packaging to prevent damage.
3. Full Home Office Kits (Laptop + Monitor + Chair + Accessories)
Domestic: $150–$400 depending on total weight and dimensions.
International: $400–$700+. Chairs, heavy monitors, and multiple devices increase dimensional weight, which most carriers use to calculate rates.
4. Packaging Costs
Protective packaging is essential:
Bubble wrap / anti-static wrap: $10–$25
Sturdy boxes: $15–$40
Double-boxing: $20–$40
Tape and corner protection: $5–$15
Total: $10–$50 for laptops; $50–$200 for desktops or full home office kits
Using proper packaging reduces the risk of damage and avoids costly insurance claims or replacement devices.
The table below summarizes average 2025 shipping costs for laptops, monitors, and full home office kits, showing the differences between domestic and international shipments.
| Equipment Type | Domestic (U.S.) | International | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop | $15–$80 (standard) $100–$150 (expedited) |
$100–$250 | Lithium battery handling; customs fees may apply |
| Monitor | $40–$120 | $150–$400 | Fragile; often requires double-boxing for protection |
| Full Home Office Kit (Laptop + Monitor + Chair + Accessories) |
$150–$400 | $400–$700+ | High dimensional weight; customs & insurance increase costs |
| Packaging Costs | $10–$50 (laptops) $50–$200 (kits/desktops) |
Similar ranges apply; packaging required for customs compliance | Includes bubble wrap, boxes, tape, and corner protection |
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Even the best-planned shipments can carry unexpected expenses. Here’s what IT teams should keep in mind:
Customs fees and duties – International shipments may add 5–20% extra costs depending on the destination.
Lost or damaged items – High-value laptops and monitors are fragile. Insurance typically costs 0.5–1% of the item value; premium coverage can reach 2–3%.
Replacement logistics – Damaged devices need reshipping, adding time and cost.
Special handling – Lithium batteries and delicate electronics require compliant packaging, which can increase carrier fees.
💡 Pro tip: Using a trusted partner like Retriever minimizes these hidden costs with fully insured, compliant international shipping and secure handling at every stage.
Best Practices for Shipping Remote Employee Equipment
Safe, cost-effective shipments require planning and attention to detail. Top tips IT teams rely on:
Use snug, protective packaging – Fill gaps with foam or air pillows, double-box fragile electronics.
Label clearly – Include “Fragile” stickers, return addresses, and internal contact info.
Choose the right courier – Compare USPS, UPS, FedEx, or 3PLs for cost, speed, and reliability.
Insure valuable items – Protect laptops, monitors, and accessories with the appropriate coverage.
Plan ahead – Standard shipping is usually cheaper and more predictable than last-minute overnight services.
💡 Pro tip: Retriever streamlines all of this with prepaid, trackable return kits, stage-by-stage visibility, and expert handling so IT teams avoid surprises and keep costs predictable.
Retriever’s Advantage
Managing shipments and returns for remote teams can be complicated, but Retriever makes it simple and reliable. Here’s how we help companies save time, reduce risk, and streamline equipment management:
Laptop Returns – Retrieving laptops from offboarded employees is often a headache. Retriever eliminates the guesswork with prepaid shipping kits, automated email reminders, and full tracking visibility. Employees can return devices easily, while IT teams gain full oversight. Learn more on our Laptop Returns page.
Warehousing & Redeployment – Not every laptop is ready to retire after a single use. Retriever securely stores, cleans, repairs, and provisions laptops, monitors, and accessories, allowing on-demand redeployment to new employees or projects. Companies gain complete lifecycle visibility and can trigger redeployment quickly. Check out our services.
Laptop Disposal & Data Destruction – End-of-life devices carry sensitive data and environmental responsibilities. Retriever ensures secure data erasure, compliant destruction, and environmentally conscious disposal, giving companies peace of mind. See Laptop Disposal.
Global Expertise – Retriever provides retrieval and deployment services across the United Kingdom (including Ireland and Scotland), Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Mexico. Shipments to or from the United States, Canada, and Great Britain can be handled self-service via our website or Enterprise platform. We manage customs, packaging, insurance, and tracking, ensuring devices arrive safely, on time, and with minimal hassle.
With Retriever, companies gain more than just a courier—they get end-to-end support, full visibility into equipment location, and reduced shipping costs for remote employees in 2025. From the first laptop shipped to the final device securely returned or redeployed, Retriever streamlines every step.
Shipping Work-from-Home Equipment FAQ 2025
Q1: How much does it cost to ship a laptop to a remote employee in 2025?
Domestic: $15–$80 standard; $100–$150 expedited with insurance.
International: $100–$250, plus potential customs fees.
Q2: What’s the cheapest way to send work-from-home equipment internationally?
Plan ahead, use economy services (USPS Priority Mail International or UPS Ground), consolidate shipments, and compare courier rates.
Q3: Do I need insurance when shipping computers to employees?
Yes. High-value or fragile devices should be insured. Standard insurance costs 0.5–1% of the item value; premium options 2–3%.
Q4: How can companies manage equipment returns from remote workers?
Prepaid shipping kits, tracking, and automated reminders help. Retriever’s Laptop Returns handles this end-to-end.
Q5: What’s the difference between using a courier vs. a managed service like Retriver?
Couriers only ship. Managed services like Retriever handle packaging, insurance, tracking, and returns—reducing errors, risk, and overall costs.
Final Thoughts on Shipping Work-from-Home Equipment Costs
Shipping remote employee equipment in 2025 isn’t just about postage. Domestic laptops are affordable, but international shipments, monitors, and full home office kits can quickly become expensive. Hidden fees, customs, and mishandling are real cost drivers.
With Retriever, companies gain full control and visibility, lowering the total laptop shipping cost 2025, protecting devices, and saving time. Discover our Laptop Return Services today!