Whether you've sold your bike online, or need to ship one for personal reasons, it's good to know the best way to pack and ship a bike while saving time and money. There is no reason to have to pay a bike shop to pack a cheap bike professionally. You can also save money by disassembling certain components and packing it in a smaller box.
Steps
Step 1. Look for a suitable box
Bike shops generally throw away the packaging of the bicycles on display: ask, politely, if you can have one. In some shops they can also be purchased for a few euros. Be that as it may, try to get a relatively small one - this will help you save on shipping.
Step 2. Calculate the cost of shipping
Measure the height, width and depth of the box. Enter this data in the appropriate page of a shipping site, such as https://www. FedEx.com or https://www. UPS.com, along with the address of where you will ship the bike, of course. Regarding the weight of the package, 15 kg should be a reasonable weight for an adult bicycle. If you are lucky, the weight and volume of the box will fall "in the same category", otherwise you could always "shrink" the box and check the weight carefully.
Step 3. Also check the shipping costs together with the various transport options on
Step 4. Make the box smaller (if necessary)
You can easily reduce the height of the box by making a cut, let's say about ten centimeters, at the corners of the upper opening, vertically. You may need to shorten the length of the "wings" of the box by about ten centimeters, otherwise you can fold the excess inside the box itself. If reducing the height was not enough to bring the volume of the box back into a convenient "category", you can also shorten the length of the box, but you will have to open it completely.
Step 5. Test the packaging
It is better to check the real dimensions you will need before proceeding to "shrink" the box. If you have the foresight to remove the wheels, pedals, saddle and handlebars, if it is not enough to loosen it and align it in the direction of travel, you will be able to fit your bike into a smaller box.
Step 6. Done
Advice
- Visit various online shipping sites, even those of "minor" or "alternative" companies: sometimes you can find really affordable offers!
- Generally shipping a bike nationally can cost around 25/30 euros, but recent increases in fuel costs may have further increased shipping costs. If, on the other hand, you have to send your bike to another continent, it is advisable to contact a transport company on cargo ships: the package will take longer to arrive, but you can spend up to half the price compared to air transport.
- Check the standard dimensions on the online shipping sites BEFORE you get a box, so maybe you will also save the time it takes to "shrink" your box!
- If you are buying a bicycle online, look for companies in your area: you will save on shipping costs.
Warnings
- Make sure you have insured your bike before shipping it. Most shipping companies insure parcels automatically, but it is advisable to check the limit.
- Vintage, rare, collectible, or otherwise "valuable" bikes should always be professionally packaged and properly insured.
- Always write the destination on the box, but add your contacts: address, telephone number, etc. If it is part of the baggage you are boarding on a plane, make sure that the appropriate identification sticker has been applied to the box.
- Bicycles boarded on airplanes often “miss” connecting flights, due to the size of the package and the fragility of the package. It is advisable to have a "plan B" in case you are planning a cycling trip.
- ALWAYS check the insurance conditions of your package, and the rules of the various shipping companies regarding the packaging methods, otherwise you could lose the due refunds in case of damage to your package. Shipping costs depend on the final weight (box included), external dimensions of the package and of course the destination.
