E-bike Shipping
There are a few things to bear in mind when it comes to e-bike shipment safety. To begin, always select a shipping business that specializes in e-bike delivery. This ensures that your bike is appropriately packed and protected while in transportation. Second, make sure your bike is fully insured. This will provide you with financial security in the event of damage or loss during delivery. Finally, track your package so you can monitor its progress and be ready for its arrival.
Make sure that all the necessary precautions or carried out when you are shipping your e-bike. If you want to ship your bike internationally FedEx and UPS are great options. There are laws you have to consider when shipping your e-bike with a battery. Keep in mind when shipping the battery should be below 300Wh, if it is above that a documentation process should be carried out. The package should be labeled outside the box to separate it from other cargo.
Refer to the following points mentioned below when shipping your e-bike.
Weighing your e-bike
When shipping your e-bike, delivery companies will charge you depending on the weight of your bike. Make sure your e-bike is weighed before packaging it, to calculate the shipping cost.
You can weigh the e-bike on a handheld scale. This is an easy method that u can do yourself. A standard handheld scale like Balanzza is a good choice and it costs around $30. E-bikes weigh around 50lbs. You could also use a bike scale, however, they will be more expensive than a luggage scale.
Disassembling your e-bike
If your e-bike is disassembled, it would be much easier to ship. Breaking down the e-bike and storing it in a box before shipping, is safer and more convenient. Some e-bikes cannot be disassembled, but if it is possible for your e-bike, then it is best for you to consider this option. The seat, wheels, and handlebar can be detached and stored in a box for safety.
If you are unable to disassemble your e-bike, find a box that can support the entire e-bike. This can be quite challenging. Online websites provide boxes, especially for e-bikes.
Removing the battery
It is best to remove the e-bike battery before it is shipped. This will prevent it from switching on during the shipment process. Make sure to pack the battery in the same box as the e-bike. Lithium-ion batteries are difficult to ship as they can be damaged easily, explode, or can catch fire.
They can be dangerous if not maintained. Shipping companies would not however consider them a risk. It is best not to ship the battery in an individual box, even though removing it is a good option. This is because the shipment process can get expensive and complicated.
Drain the e-bike battery
When shipping your e-bike battery by air, make sure your battery is below 30%. It is stated by law, to ensure safety and if this is not met there will be a fine of $27,000. This is stated by the International Law Transport Association. This rule doesn’t apply to ground and cargo shipping but it’s better to be on the safe side, when the battery level is below 30% it reduces the risk of it Catching Fire during transportation.
Turn the battery off
Make sure you have your e-bike battery powered off and have any keys removed, before the shipment process. It would be risky if you’re battery is on while it is getting transported.
If your e-bike battery turns on, it would be dangerous to the person who is transporting your e-bike as it is a fire hazard. If your e-bike is shipped with flammable items it can be even more dangerous so it’s best to take action beforehand, so switching off your e-bike battery will prevent the risk of exploding or catching fire. Putting electrical tape between the battery switch holds it in place and prevents it from turning on.
Packing
Your e-bike should be packed securely, in a box with padding. The padding should be non-conductive and non-flammable to prevent damage during transportation. A cardboard box or a big case are two types of enclosures. You should include a lot of padding regarding which box you choose. This will prevent any unnecessary damages during the shipment process. Supplies including zip ties, extra cardboard, and form which are non-conductive, are essential to pad the e-bike box.
Shipping method
The two ways you can ship your e-bike are by ground and air. The shipping method will depend on the e-bike’s weight, the battery Watt-hours, and the shipping details.
Shipping by air courier is much faster and more reliable. The e-bike can be checked as luggage and there is no need of waiting for its arrival. Ground shipping is much cheaper compared to air, as it costs an extra $100 or more. The battery should be 100Wh capacity and it should be able to detachable or else you won’t be able to transport it as cargo.
When shipping by ground courier insurance will be provided to ensure safety and the process will be less complex. However, a handling fee will be charged when shipping a lithium-ion battery, and if the battery is 300Wh capacity or above a special certificate will be required for your package.
Shipping provider
If you choose ground shipping you need to also choose the shipping provider to transport your bike. Some of these shipping providers offer a full service where they provide the box, padding, and other materials with the shipping label. It will be costly but it is a reliable service. Some of the famous shipping providers include FedEx, UPS and USPS.
You will be charged when the shipping label is printed by the shipping provider or when transporting your e-bike. The bike can be picked up from your home by the shipping courier or shipped to the shipping provider’s retail location. The payment should be made during the shipment process and make sure there is insurance provided for your e-bike in case it gets damaged during the transportation.
Shipping the e-bike battery
When shipping a lithium-ion battery make sure there are handling labels outside the package, as this is stated in the law. These labels depend on the battery, e-bike details, and shipping provider. Before doing this procedure make sure the battery is in good condition without any damage and unplug it. The battery must stay off during the transportation, and as mentioned earlier electric tape will hold it in place. The battery must stay below 30% before it is shipped as it reduces the risk of it catching fire.
Special documentation and a certificate should be carried out when shipping your e-bike if the e-bike is above 300Wh. As long as the e-bike package is labeled, you can ship it domestically when it is below 300Wh through any courier.
Make sure the package is checked before packing with the correct certificate given out. The package should first be approved by the shipping courier so an appointment is required at their retail location. They will inform you about the documents which you should bring for the shipment process. You will be asked to fill out forms and carry out a verification process.
UPS transportation
UPS transports e-bikes. Shipping a 60-pound e-bike with a battery that is 300Wh or less to a domestic location will cost around $98. This shipping courier is the least expensive. International shipping through UPS will cost around $800. However, an e-bike battery above 100Wh cannot be shipped. If it is above that range you can get it inspected by booking an appointment at the UPS retail location, and they might consider shipping it.
What is the cost of shipping an e-bike?
Domestic shipping can cost about $100 two $170 on average. it costs about $800 or more when shipping your e-bike internationally. Prices will depend on the courier and the e-bike battery. The weight also determines the cost of shipping. A 50lbs e-bike will cost around $170 to be shipped. This cost is without the insurance and if the insurance is purchased it will be an additional $50. The shipping cost can be expensive when you need to ship the e-bike internationally. it is best to purchase a new battery at your destination for the e-bike, as please difficult to transport a heavy capacity battery internationally. It is best for you to pack your e-bike by yourself, make sure to disassemble it and fit it into a large box to save money. You can find large boxes in your local e-bike shops.
Shipping the e-bike on a plane
There are a few things to think about before flying your eBike. The first step is to confirm that the airline you’re traveling with accepts eBikes as checked baggage. Most do, but it is always a good idea to double-check ahead of time. The second step is to ensure that your e-bike is securely packaged. You should disassemble it as much as possible before packing it in a strong box. The next step is to ensure that you have all of the appropriate papers. This includes a copy of your purchase receipt and any manuals or warranties that the airline may request.
The number of lithium-ion batteries that can be taken on a plane is usually limited by the airline. Typically, this maximum is two batteries per passenger. As a result, if your battery is greater than this limit, you must check it as luggage.
Second, the International Air Transport Association classifies lithium-ion batteries as hazardous products (IATA). This implies they must be appropriately wrapped if they are to be transported by air. Most makers of e-bike batteries give guidelines on how to correctly package their batteries for air transport.
Finally, while lithium-ion batteries are permitted aboard flights, they are not permitted in the aircraft’s cargo hold. This is due to the risk of fire. If you must transport your e-bike battery in the cargo hold, you must call the airline ahead of time to make preparations.
E-bike popularity
E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular as a mode of transportation in cities throughout the world. They are a more ecologically friendly choice than standard petrol or diesel vehicles, and they can help to minimize traffic congestion and pollution. Several cities have already adopted e-bike programs, and many more are contemplating it. In Europe, Amsterdam and Copenhagen are leading the way, while in the United States, New York, and San Francisco has the highest number of e-bike riders.
The increased popularity of e-bikes is projected to benefit urban areas by improving air quality and making cities more livable. E-bike sales in the United States increased by an astounding 82% in 2017. This is due to factors including the rising cost of gasoline, the growing popularity of cycling as a form of exercise, and the several advantages that e-bikes have over regular bicycles. A lot of countries were demanding e-bikes so there was a heavy shipment of e-bikes.
Conclusion: Shipping e-bikes
Delivery providers will charge you based on the weight of your e-bike when shipping it. To determine the shipping cost, weigh your e-bike before packaging it. It will be much easier to send your e-bike if it is dismantled. It is safer and more convenient to disassemble the e-bike and store it in a box before shipment. Some e-bikes cannot be disassembled, however, if this is a possibility for your e-bike, it is wise to consider it.
To ensure safety, the seat, wheels, and handlebar may be removed and kept in a box. It is preferable to remove the e-bike battery before shipping. This will keep it from turning on during the shipping process. Make sure the battery is packed in the same package as the e-bike. Lithium-ion batteries are challenging to ship since they can easily be damaged, explode, or catch fire.
They can be hazardous if not properly maintained. However, shipping corporations would not consider them a danger. When sending your e-bike battery by air, ensure sure it is less than 30% charged. It is required by law to maintain safety, and failure to do so will result in a $27,000 fine. According to the International Law Transport Association. This guideline does not apply to ground or cargo shipment, although it is advisable to be careful; when the battery level is below 30%, the chance of it catching fire during transit is reduced.
Before shipping, make sure your e-bike battery is turned off and all keys are removed. It would be dangerous if your battery was turned on while being carried. If your e-bike battery starts to charge, it is a fire hazard for the person moving your e-bike. Putting electrical tape between the battery switch and the battery keeps it from turning on. Your e-bike should be carefully packaged in a box with cushioning.
To avoid damage during shipping, the cushioning should be non-conductive and non-flammable. Enclosures can be either cardboard boxes or large containers. You should incorporate a lot of padding when deciding which box to use. This will help to avoid any unwanted damage throughout the shipping procedure. To cushion the e-bike box, supplies such as zip ties, additional cardboard, and non-conductive forms are required.
If you pick ground shipment, you must also select a shipping company to convey your bike. Some of these shipping companies give a comprehensive service, including the box, cushioning, and other supplies, as well as the mailing label. It will be expensive, but it is dependable service. FedEx, UPS, and USPS are just a few of the well-known shipping companies.
You will be charged when the shipping company prints the shipping label or transports your e-bike. The shipment courier might pick up the bike from your home or transport it to the shipping provider’s retail store. Payment should be done throughout the shipment process, and make sure your e-bike is insured in case it is destroyed during transit.
