We ask that you pay either at the point of sale or via invoice soon after we pick up your items. This helps us to cover the cost of storage, truck rentals, and other operating costs and reduces confusion. We will have a Square reader with us at the time of pick up in case you want to pay with card. If you choose to pay later via invoice, you will receive it in your inbox.

Yes, University Shipping is fully incorporated as an LLC. Few other student-run businesses meet this standard.

The storage company we use is called Public Storage. It located nearby and is used by many Duke students to store their items for the summer. The location is secure with limited access and 24 hour surveillance cameras. The storage unit is not temperature controlled, but it is humidity controlled. We regularly store televisions, sound systems, and refrigerators there with no problems. Contact us if you have any questions about storage.

University Shipping requests that all items be packaged in a strong, well-packed box. Certain exceptions can be made for items such as rugs, trunks, and refrigerators (refrigerators must be defrosted and cleaned prior to pickup). Boxes ensure the safety of your belongings, so it is in your best interest to pack you items well. Contact us if you have any questions about unboxed items. We WILL make exceptions for certain items, but for the sake of your containers, we HIGHLY recommend boxes.

University Shipping has designated certain locations that are central to our customer base. We schedule each of these stops for a fifteen minute window on one day during the pickup week. Once all our stops have been made, we drive the trucks down to Richmond. Then, we re-organize your items and deliver your things to your dorm room or off-campus housing.

University Shipping designates a three hour window each day during finals week to pick up items. Occasionally, students encounter circumstances which prevent them from being available for their scheduled pick-up time. In these cases, special arrangements can be made by contacting us at contact@universityshipping.com.

The shipping cargo is insured through our lease with the truck rental company. Therefore there is no need to charge an additional fee for insurance coverage, as it is already provided. The storage units are also insured for fire, flood, etc. through the Bader Company. They are the largest insurance provider for storage in the US. However, our insurance doesn't cover minor damage due to normal handling, damage due to improperly packed items, and/or damage to extremely fragile items. We ask that you please pack valuable items very carefully.

Most boxes are categorized as large boxes. The standard box which can be bought from a shipping or storage facility, about 1.5' x 1.5' x 2' in size, would be a large box. A way to help visualize this is to consider that most items that would require the assistance of someone else are extra large, if they could be handled by one person they would be large, and if they could be easily handled by one person, usually only with one hand, they would be small. As for duffels, as a general rule anything carry-on size or smaller (IKEA-sized duffel) would be classified as a small duffel, and anything larger would be considered a large duffel. At the time of pick up we will describe how we are pricing everything that you're shipping.

Please make sure to include the student's name, delivery location, and an incremental item count (i.e. 1 of 4, 2 of 4,etc.) on every item you ship with us. See the "Packing" page for more information.

University Shipping does not supply boxes to pack your belongings. However, you may find boxes or duffel bags at stores like UPS or Home Depot or online through retailers like Amazon.

Yes, University Shipping is happy to make home pickups depending on your location. An additional $100 fee will be charged on top of your box fees. Contact us to see if you are eligible for our home delivery service.

Yes, University Shipping will deliver to off-campus locations. Please email us at contact@universityshipping.com if you are unsure if you qualify.

Yes! We can arrange drop off such that your boxes that were stored over the summer are delivered at the same time as boxes that are shipped down in the fall.

No, there are no specific restrictions on box weight and size, although certain surcharges do apply. Please see our rates page for more information. We will ship as many items as you like, there is no limit to how much we can ship for you.