Let’s be real: not every delivery is a shoe box or small Amazon envelope. Sometimes, what’s waiting in the back of your vehicle looks more like it belongs in a moving truck. Oversized packages are becoming more common in last-mile delivery — furniture, home gyms, large appliances, and even full pallets.
So, what should you actually do when a package is too heavy or awkward to move solo? Whether you’re running routes for Amazon Flex, Roadie, Spark, or a local courier service, here’s what really matters.
Know What Your Platform Expects
Each delivery platform sets its own guidelines around safe lifting. Amazon Flex, for example, states that drivers should never attempt to move packages they can’t lift safely and comfortably on their own. If the box is too big or heavy, it should be marked “undeliverable” in the app and reported immediately.
Other platforms, like Walmart Spark, also offer delivery issues options where you can indicate unsafe conditions or oversized packages.
If it feels unsafe, it probably is. Your safety comes first.
Don’t Risk Your Health
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn’t enforce a strict weight limit, but it generally recommends workers avoid lifting loads over 50 pounds without help. Lifting wrong — or pushing through when something feels too heavy — can easily lead to serious injuries that take you off the road for weeks.
In short: one delivery isn’t worth a blown-out back.
Use “Undeliverable” Options the Right Way
Every platform has a system for flagging packages you can’t deliver. Use it properly. Choose the closest applicable reason, like:
“Package exceeds safe lifting limits for a solo delivery. No help available at drop-off.”
Documenting this in the app protects your ratings and gives dispatch or support the info they need to resolve it.
Call or Message Support — Every Time
Don’t just leave the package or cancel. Contact support through the app’s live chat or call feature. They might:
- Reschedule with a two-person team
- Remove the order from your route
- Mark it as complete and pay you anyway
Following the protocol also helps prevent account warnings or deactivations later.
Consider Carrying Basic Gear
Some independent drivers (especially those doing local courier or same-day freight) keep compact dollies or foldable hand trucks in their vehicles. While not every platform allows this, for drivers with consistently oversized loads, it’s a back-saver.
Also, shoes with solid ankle support and gloves with grip go a long way when handling heavier or awkward packages.
The Bottom Line
As last-mile delivery continues to grow, so does the size of what’s being delivered. When a package is too big to move alone, the right call is to flag it, not force it.
Your health, your future, and your safety come first. Deliver smart, not just fast.
