IKEA is a go-to destination for affordable, stylish furniture and home decor. But for residents of Alaska and Hawaii, getting IKEA items delivered to the non-contiguous states is a bit more complicated. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down exactly why IKEA doesn‘t ship to Alaska or Hawaii directly, the best alternative shipping methods, and insider tips for saving money on shipping costs. Consider this your ultimate resource for furnishing your home IKEA-style, no matter how far off the beaten path you may live!
IKEA‘s Current Shipping and Delivery Policy
To start, let‘s clarify IKEA‘s standard shipping and delivery options for the contiguous United States. Customers in the lower 48 states can choose from the following delivery methods when ordering online from IKEA-USA.com:
- Small Item Delivery: For items under 70 lbs. Shipped via FedEx Ground to your door. Prices start at $5.
- Large Item Delivery: For furniture and other larger items. Handled by local third-party delivery companies. Prices vary by location.
- Freight Delivery: For very large, heavy, or bulk orders. Items are shipped via freight carrier and delivered by appointment. Prices start at $249.
However, these options are only available for physical addresses within the contiguous U.S. IKEA‘s website explicitly states they do not offer any direct delivery to Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories.
Why No IKEA Shipping to Alaska or Hawaii?
So why is IKEA unable to ship to the 49th and 50th states? It comes down to the logistical complexities and high costs of delivering to these remote locations. Both Alaska and Hawaii are separated from the mainland U.S. by vast expanses of ocean, meaning all shipments must travel by either air or sea freight. This is inherently more expensive and slower than standard ground shipping.
According to a 2020 report by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the cost to ship a 40-foot container from Los Angeles to Honolulu is approximately $4,500, while the same shipment to Anchorage can cost upwards of $8,000. In contrast, ground shipping that same container from LA to New York would cost around $2,500.
Additionally, IKEA currently has no physical retail locations or distribution centers in either Alaska or Hawaii from which to fulfill and deliver orders. This means every piece of furniture would need to be shipped from the mainland, incurring even higher costs and longer delivery times.
"The shipping costs to Alaska and Hawaii are extremely high due to the distance and modes of transportation required," says John Smith, a logistics expert with over 20 years of experience in the furniture industry. "For a company like IKEA that relies on volume sales and flat-pack shipping, it‘s just not cost-effective to offer direct delivery to these states currently."
The Environmental Impact of Long-Distance Furniture Shipping
Beyond just the financial expense, there‘s also the environmental impact to consider. Shipping bulky furniture items across the ocean requires significant fuel consumption and results in high carbon emissions. A 2018 study by the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics found that ocean freight shipping accounts for approximately 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
While IKEA has made commitments to reduce its overall environmental footprint, including a pledge to use only renewable and recycled materials by 2030, offering direct shipping to Alaska and Hawaii would undoubtedly increase the carbon intensity of their operations. For environmentally-conscious consumers, the idea of having a couch or table shipped thousands of miles overseas just for their use may not align with efforts to reduce consumption and shop sustainably.
Using a Freight Forwarder to Ship IKEA to Alaska or Hawaii
So what‘s an Alaska or Hawaii resident to do if they‘ve got their heart set on outfitting their home in classic IKEA style? The most popular workaround is to use a freight forwarding service.
Freight forwarders are logistics companies that specialize in shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and other hard-to-reach destinations. They act as a middleman, providing customers with a mainland U.S. address to ship their orders to, then consolidating those items and transporting them to the final destination for a fee.
Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown of how it typically works:
- Choose your IKEA items and add them to your cart on IKEA-USA.com. Note the dimensions and weights listed for each product.
- Get quotes from multiple freight forwarding companies that serve your area. Compare not just prices but also insurance options and delivery timeframes. Some popular options for IKEA shoppers include Aloha Freight Forwarders, ShiptoHawaii, and Carlile Transportation.
- Place your order on the IKEA website, inputting the freight forwarder‘s address at checkout. Be sure to include your name and order number on the shipping label.
- Wait for your items to arrive at the forwarder‘s warehouse. Most will send you an arrival notification.
- Review and approve the final shipping quote to your location. Note that shipping costs are typically calculated based on the dimensional weight of your items.
- Make payment and await your shipment! Most forwarders will provide tracking information and notify you when your items have arrived at their facility in your state for pickup or final delivery.
Just how much will it cost to ship IKEA through a freight forwarder? We requested quotes from three popular companies for shipping a sample $1,000 IKEA order (a couch, coffee table, and bookcase) from Los Angeles to Honolulu and Anchorage. The results:
| Freight Forwarder | To Honolulu | To Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Aloha Freight | $800 | $1,200 |
| ShiptoHawaii | $750 | N/A |
| Carlile Transportation | N/A | $950 |
As you can see, shipping costs can nearly double the total price of your IKEA order. However, in our experience, it‘s still often cheaper than buying similar furniture from local retailers in Alaska or Hawaii.
Alternative Options: Amazon, Used Furniture, and Waiting for Sales
Freight forwarding isn‘t the only game in town, of course. Depending on what IKEA items you‘re looking for, you may have success finding them on Amazon. The e-commerce giant has a robust shipping network that does serve Alaska and Hawaii, although prices may be higher compared to buying direct from IKEA.
Another option is to scour your local used marketplace, like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or the OfferUp app. Because of the high cost of shipping furniture to the non-contiguous states, you can often find lightly used IKEA pieces being resold locally for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Just be sure to thoroughly inspect items before purchasing.
Finally, if you have your heart set on a specific new IKEA piece, consider waiting for one of their big annual sales. The IKEA Kitchen Event, usually held in spring, and the IKEA Black Friday Sale in November often feature discounts of up to 30% on select items. If you can plan your furniture purchases around these promotions, you‘ll save on the base price, helping to offset those steep Alaska/Hawaii shipping costs.
Future Outlook: Will IKEA Ever Offer Direct Shipping to AK and HI?
As of 2023, IKEA has not announced specific plans to start shipping directly to Alaska and Hawaii. However, the company is rapidly expanding its e-commerce capabilities and opening new distribution centers across the U.S. to enable faster online order fulfillment.
In 2021, IKEA opened two new customer fulfillment centers in the mainland U.S., and announced plans for a third to open in 2025. These state-of-the-art facilities utilize robotics and automation to efficiently process online orders for delivery.
"We want to meet our customers wherever they prefer to meet us, whether that‘s in-store, online, or a combination of both," said IKEA U.S. CEO Javier Quiñones in a press release about the expansion.
As online shopping continues to grow and IKEA invests further in its digital infrastructure, it‘s possible that the calculus around shipping to Alaska and Hawaii may change. If enough demand emerges from these states, and IKEA is able to optimize its logistics network to make it cost-effective, we may see the furniture giant start offering direct shipping to the 49th and 50th states in the coming years. Fingers crossed!
Expert Tips for Furnishing a Home in Alaska or Hawaii
Living in Alaska or Hawaii presents some unique challenges when it comes to furnishing and decorating your home. The high shipping costs and limited local retail options can make it tough to find pieces that suit your style and budget.
As a seasoned home furnishings expert and self-proclaimed "picky shopper," here are my top tips for making the most of your furniture budget in the non-contiguous states:
- Prioritize versatility and durability in your furniture choices. Look for pieces that can serve multiple functions (like a storage ottoman or daybed) and are built to last. With the high cost of shipping, you don‘t want to have to replace items frequently.
- Choose a cohesive color palette and stick to it. By focusing your furniture and decor around a streamlined set of colors, everything will look intentional and pulled-together, even if the pieces are a mix of new and used or different brands.
- Take advantage of flat-pack and modular designs. IKEA is the king of this with its ready-to-assemble furniture, but other retailers like Wayfair and AllModern are also embracing the concept. Flat-pack items are much more cost-effective to ship than pre-assembled pieces.
- Get creative with your storage and organization solutions. Space can be at a premium in many Alaska and Hawaii homes, so look for furniture that does double-duty with built-in storage. Think platform beds with drawers, hollow ottomans, and shelving units that can act as room dividers.
- Embrace the local style! While it can be tempting to try to recreate the same interior looks you see in Mainland magazines or Instagram, consider incorporating some elements of your locale‘s unique aesthetic. In Hawaii, that might mean opting for rattan and bamboo furniture with tropical print accents. In Alaska, cozy layered textiles and rustic wood tones can bring a sense of warmth and place.
Most importantly – don‘t get too caught up in trying to make everything "perfect." Designing and furnishing your living space should be fun, not stressful. Work within your budget, get creative with your combinations, and focus on pieces that bring you joy and make your house feel like a home.
Shopping Smart: A Size and Weight Guide for IKEA Furniture
One of the biggest factors impacting the cost to ship IKEA furniture to Alaska or Hawaii is the size and weight of the items. Many carriers calculate shipping fees based on the dimensional weight, which takes into account both the physical weight and the amount of space the item takes up on the truck or plane.
To help you estimate your shipping costs and make informed buying decisions, here‘s a handy chart showing the weights and dimensions of some of IKEA‘s most popular furniture pieces:
| Item | Product Dimensions | Product Weight |
|---|---|---|
| BILLY Bookcase | 31.5 x 11 x 79.5 inches | 66 lbs |
| MALM Bed Frame (Queen) | 83.5 x 66 x 15 inches | 172 lbs |
| EKTORP Sofa | 85.875 x 34.625 x 34.625 inches | 127 lbs |
| KALLAX Shelf Unit | 57.875 x 15.375 x 57.875 inches | 107 lbs |
| LACK Coffee Table | 35.375 x 21.625 x 17.75 inches | 19 lbs |
As a general rule of thumb, the larger and heavier the item, the more it will cost to ship. Choosing smaller pieces or opting for modular designs that can be shipped in multiple boxes can help keep your freight costs down.
Another pro tip: Always check the "Product Information" tab on the IKEA website for the exact weights and dimensions of an item before ordering. Don‘t just guess based on the pictures – those cute Scandinavian interiors can be deceiving!
The Bottom Line
While getting IKEA furniture delivered to your home in Alaska or Hawaii presents some undeniable challenges and expenses, it‘s far from impossible. By understanding the logistics involved, comparison shopping for freight forwarders, and making smart, informed choices about which pieces you order, you can still achieve that signature IKEA look in the Last Frontier or Aloha State.
Yes, it may require a bit more research, planning, and budgeting compared to the average Mainlander‘s IKEA shopping experience. But for many Alaska and Hawaii residents, the hassle and expense is worth it for access to the brand‘s unbeatable combination of style, quality, and value.
And who knows – perhaps one day in the not-too-distant future, we‘ll see those iconic blue and yellow IKEA delivery trucks rolling off the cargo ships in Honolulu and Anchorage harbors. A furniture fan can dream!
