Shipping An Ebike
Discover the convenience and peace of mind of ebike shipping. Let FreightCenter’s team of logistics professionals handle the process, ensuring your ebike arrives safely and on time, with no hassle on your part.
How to Ship an EBike
Electric bicycles (e-bikes) have been gaining traction as an eco-friendly alternative to motorcycles and mopeds. They resemble ordinary bicycles but integrate an electric motor into their frame, propelling the bike forward alongside the standard pedals. These modern bicycles do not require a motorcycle license and still allow you to exercise when you want or take it easy when you don’t.
However, shipping an e-bike isn’t as easy as shipping a standard bicycle. Read on to learn why.
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How to Package Your EBike
In some ways, shipping an e-bike is similar to shipping a normal bike.
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You’ll need a special box for the e-bike. You can get a bike box or case at a local bike shop or combine two long boxes together.
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Foam padding or other protective packaging defends the frame from damage. While the box takes up a lot of space inside the trailer, it may still be stuffed with other shipments of various sizes and weights, so it’s important to pad your e-bike well for travel.
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You must also label your package with a heavy package label if it’s over a certain weight (recommend 70Ibs+) so carriers know to handle it carefully.
However, the biggest issue with shipping e-bikes lies in their electrical source. Most e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries to power their motors. They are considered hazardous because they are highly flammable and require special care when shipping. While some lithium-ion batteries can be removed easily, others are inaccessible or difficult to remove without damaging the e-bike. Special precautions must be taken when packaging your e-bike’s lithium-ion batteries:
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Determine whether you can remove the battery from the e-bike. Some e-bikes have removable batteries, meaning you can ship the ebike in a non-dangerous manner like a regular bike. However, if you are also shipping the battery to the customer, you must send them separately using a carrier that accepts them. That means you’ll pay for two shipments, which can be pricey.
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If you can’t remove the batteries from the e-bike, you must ship everything together. If you’re shipping multiple e-bikes, the law requires you to mark the shipment with bulk shipping hazmat markings. You may not need to do so for a single e-bike since it could halt the shipping process or have the ebike tagged for disposal.
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Find a carrier that will transport your lithium-ion batteries. Some carriers will not ship hazardous materials like lithium batteries. FreightCenter has partnered with over 50 carriers, including those that ship hazmat materials. A FreightCenter agent will also inform you of any guidelines your chosen carrier has regarding packaging and picking up your batteries and e-bike.
Your EBike’s Freight Density
Another issue with shipping an e-bike is how the rates are calculated. The pricing will change significantly depending on whether you’re sending the e-bike and batteries separately or not.
Your e-bike’s shipping rate will be based not purely on its weight and measurements but also on density. Freight density accounts for the amount of space an item occupies in relation to its actual weight.
To find out the freight density of your e-bike, you need to know its NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) code, which is how your product is categorized based on its attributes (which helps carriers know what kind of freight they’re dealing with). This is tricky since e-bikes and lithium batteries fall under several classifications depending on whether you’re shipping the batteries with the e-bike or as a separate shipment.
Once you discover your e-bike’s classification code, you must use it to find the freight density. The steps go like this:
- Multiply the length, width, and height together by inches.
- 72 in. x 25 in. x 42 in.= 75,600 cubic inches
- Convert the total cubic inches into cubic feet by dividing it by 1,728 (there are 1,728 cubic inches in a cubic foot).
- 75,600 cubic in. ÷ 1,728 = 43.75 cubic feet
- Divide the actual e-bike’s weight by the cubic feet.
- 70 lbs. ÷ 43.75 cubic ft. = 1.6 pounds per cubic feet
This will give you the freight density in pounds by the cubic feet. You’ll need the density to discover your recommended freight class for the e-bike, batteries, or both together and determine your shipment’s shipping rate.
That’s a lot of math to do. But not to worry! FreightCenter has a freight density calculator you can use to estimate your freight density, which is very helpful if you’re uncomfortable doing the calculations yourself. You can also call us at (800) 716-7608. We’ll do the math for you so you can focus on everything else you need to ship your e-bike.
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International Shipping for EBikes
If you are shipping your bike internationally, you must determine whether to ship by air, ground, or sea. Most people ship e-bikes by ocean freight, while the batteries are shipped by air. If the e-bike’s batteries are unremovable, then internationally shipping the e-bike will involve more paperwork. It may also be classified as a hazmat shipment, as the batteries would be shipped alone.
Know that shipping by air is harder than shipping by sea; you have to get approval from an air carrier to ship your e-bike and fill out special documentation, including coordinating with a hazmat office. If you decide to ship your batteries separately, note that lithium-ion batteries have extra regulations that are different from regular lithium batteries. Be sure to check with the air freight carrier beforehand for all regulations regarding lithium batteries.
FreightCenter Can Help Ship Your EBike
E-bikes are becoming a trending mode of transportation. They are greener than motorcycles and more convenient than traditional bicycles. However, shipping an e-bike can be difficult, especially concerning lithium batteries. You must juggle packing your e-bike, filling out the special documents for your batteries, and finding carriers that will ship all your items without all the red tape.
That’s why having a 3PL provider on your side is so important—they will help you find specialized carriers that will ship both your e-bike and your batteries safely and carefully. FreightCenter’s shipping expertise and industry connections mean we can provide customized solutions for all your shipping needs. Contact us now for a free quote to start shipping your e-bike today!
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Frequently Asked Questions About EBike Shipping:
Q. Why is shipping an e-bike different from shipping a regular bicycle?
An e-bike contains a lithium battery, which powers the bike’s electric motor. Lithium batteries are highly flammable if damaged and can explode. This is why they’re treated as hazardous materials by carriers and why they’re difficult to ship.
Q. Can I ship my lithium batteries separately from my e-bike?
It depends on the e-bike. Some lithium batteries are removable from the e-bike, which means you can ship the e-bike separately as a non-dangerous item (though this can get costly). If you cannot remove the batteries from the bike, you must take extra precautions when shipping your e-bike.
Q. How do I package my e-bike?
To package your e-bike, you must pack it into a special box designed for bicycles. You can get these at a local bike shop or double up boxes so the e-bike remains rigid during transport. You can pad your bike with foam padding or use something similar to protect it. Label your package as heavy if the e-bike is over a certain weight so carriers are aware when transporting your package. This video from bike carrier Bikeflights goes into more detail on packaging e-bikes.
Q. Why must I know the freight density for my e-bike shipment?
Freight density is the space a shipment occupies relative to its actual weight. When you package your e-bike, you must calculate your shipment’s freight density to determine the shipping rate. The equation for freight density is length x width x height / the DIM factor (which you can find by figuring out your package’s product classification code. This can be done using our free quote calculator, which is helpful if you don’t wish to figure out the math yourself.
Q. How about shipping my e-bike internationally?
Shipping an e-bike overseas depends on whether you’re shipping by air, ground, or sea. Most e-bike shippers send e-bikes by sea, while the batteries are sent via air. Air shipping will require special documentation and permission to freight the e-bike by whatever air carrier you will be going with, which can get difficult if the batteries cannot be removed from the e-bike. Check with FreightCenter to learn more about internationally shipping your e-bike.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for E-Bike Shipping:
Over 25 years of Service
FreightCenter has provided top-naught, quality care and support for over 25 years. We streamline logistics management for you, finding cost-saving deals and prioritizing customer satisfaction. Shipping your e-bike isn’t easy, but FreightCenter is here to take on the challenge!
Knowledgeable Team of Experts
FreightCenter’s freight shipping experts are ready to help you get your e-bike out to your customer! A FreightCenter agent will guide you through the shipping process, give you tips on how to package your e-bike properly, offer you a competitive shipping rate for your e-bike shipment, and provide personalized customer support.
Network of Trusted Carriers
FreightCenter is partnered with some of the leading freight carriers out there, including XPO Logistics, Saia, Estes, and more. We negotiate rates and offer flexible shipping options like overlength and hazmat shipping so your e-bike is delivered safely and correctly the entire way.