How to ship a bike
How to ship a bike
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Shipping a bike
Need to ship a bike to college? How about your next vacation spot? Use these packing steps and tips to make sure it arrives on time and in great condition.
Need to ship a bike to college? How about your next vacation spot?
Use these packing steps and tips to make sure it arrives on time and in great condition.
Prep to ship a bike: Here’s what you’ll need
- Bike box
- Bike tools
- Cushioning, such as foam tubing or padding, bubble wrap, or air pillows
- Cable ties
- Extra cardboard
- Zip-top bags or small box for parts and hardware
- Packing tape at least 2" wide
Bike box
Bike tools
Cushioning, such as foam tubing or padding, bubble wrap, or air pillows
Cable ties
Extra cardboard
Zip-top bags or small box for parts and hardware
Packing tape at least 2" wide
How to ship a bike
Use the steps below to pack a bike for shipping:
Disassemble the bike.
- Remove the front wheel.
- Remove the pedals.
- Remove the handlebars and any accessories that will increase the size of the box, potentially get damaged, or produce sharp, protruding points. Cover or wrap any remaining sharp or pointy parts.
- Put any small parts in a bag or small box and seal it well.
- Place the bag or box inside the bike shipping box.
Pack the bike and parts.
- Apply packing tape (at least 2" wide) around the edges of the bottom of box. When sealed, stand it upright.
- Fill the bottom of the box with packing materials, such as packing peanuts or air pillows.
- Wrap the bike frame to help prevent scratches and place it in the box.
- Position a cardboard divider so that it will be between the frame and the wheel, then add the wheel.
- Pack any accessories or parts in the space around the frame of the bike, or if needed, create a separate shipment and pack accordingly.
- Close the bike box and shake it. If you hear rattling or parts moving around, add more padding or use cable or parts ties to secure the parts to the frame.
Seal the bike box.
- Apply packing tape (at least 2" wide) around the edges of the top of box. For extra support, add a strip of tape around the entire center of the box, securing both the top and bottom flaps. Marking your box with “This End Up” doesn't guarantee that it will remain that way while in transit. By placing your label on top, you increase the chances that it will be shipped in the preferred orientation.
NOTICE: This packaging information is provided to FedEx customers to help reduce loss or damage due to improper packaging. It is NOT intended to be a comprehensive guide for packaging items we accept for transit. We make no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding this information. Proper packaging is the sole responsibility of the shipper.
Get a bike box for shipping, packing supplies—and help
The FedEx bike box measures 54" x 8" x 28" and can be purchased at FedEx Office locations. And while you’re there, you can get supplies and professional packing help for an additional fee. Find a FedEx Office location with packing services near you. Or browse our other packaging options.
Get a bike box for shipping, packing supplies—and help
The FedEx bike box measures 54" x 8" x 28" and can be purchased at FedEx Office
locations. And while you’re there, you can get supplies and professional packing
help for an additional fee. Find a FedEx Office location with packing services near
you. Or browse our other packaging options.
If you use a FedEx bike box to ship your bike, the maximum weight allowed is 95 lbs., even if you use a service that allows up to 150 lbs. You may use a larger box if your shipment exceeds 95 lbs.
Packaging pointers:
Use these tips to get a grip on bicycle shipping
- Wrap your bike frame to minimize metal-on-metal friction.
Wrap your bike frame to minimize metal-on-metal friction.
- Cover or wrap any sharp points that could puncture the box from the inside as well as any areas where abrasion or damage to the box is likely to occur.
Cover or wrap any sharp points that could puncture the box from the inside as well as any areas where abrasion or damage to the box is likely to occur.
- Use cable ties to secure moving parts to the frame so they don’t damage your bike in transit.
Use cable ties to secure moving parts to the frame so they don’t damage your bike in transit.
- When disassembling parts, rethread bolts into their mounting holes. Doing so will help prevent losing them, and it will make reassembling the bike easier and quicker.
When disassembling parts, rethread bolts into their mounting holes. Doing so will help prevent losing them, and it will make reassembling the bike easier and quicker.
- Put all small parts in their small box or bag and be sure to seal it before securing it inside the bike box.
Put all small parts in their small box or bag and be sure to seal it before securing it inside the bike box.
- Don’t deflate your tires. They provide cushioning that can lessen the impact on your rims and helps protect them from getting dented or bent.
Don’t deflate your tires. They provide cushioning that can lessen the impact on your rims and helps protect them from getting dented or bent.
- Be sure to take your tools to your destination so you can reassemble your bike. Or contact a bike shop at your destination and ask about reassembly services.
Be sure to take your tools to your destination so you can reassemble your bike. Or contact a bike shop at your destination and ask about reassembly services.
Choose a bicycle shipping service that’s right for you
Looking for the best way to ship a bike? We’ve got express, ground, and international service options that can get your bike where you need it, when you need it.
- When you need speed, choose an overnight shipping option for next-business-day delivery. You can ship packages up to 150 lbs., up to 119" in length, and 165" in length and girth. Services include:
- FedEx First Overnight®
- FedEx Priority Overnight®
- FedEx Standard Overnight®
- When you’ve got more time (and you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship a bike) choose a more cost-efficient FedEx Ground® service. You can ship packages up to 150 lbs., up to 108" in length, and 165" in length plus girth.
- FedEx Ground ships to businesses in 1–5 business days.
- FedEx Home Delivery® ships to residences in 1–5 days, including weekends.
- When you need to ship to another country, choose an international shipping option.
Highlight that your box is heavy
Place yellow and black safety heavyweight labels over the diagonal corners of the box if your shipment weighs more than 75 lbs. If you need labels, contact your FedEx Express courier or account rep. If you prefer, you can get them from a FedEx Office® Print and Ship Center or FedEx Ship Center® instead.
Highlight that your box is heavy
Place yellow and black safety heavyweight labels over the diagonal corners of the box if your shipment weighs more than 75 lbs. If you need labels, contact your FedEx Express courier or account rep. If you prefer, you can get them from a FedEx Office® Print and Ship Center or FedEx Ship Center® instead.
Ready to ship?
Use your FedEx account or log in as a guest. Have your shipping info ready and your credit card handy.
Save time by having one of our couriers pick up your shipment. A small fee applies.
Drop off your shipment at a FedEx Office location or other participating retailer.
Helpful resources
With FedEx Delivery Manager®, you can get tracking details and alerts about your bike delivery,
and even have it held for pickup at a secure location.
With FedEx Delivery Manager®, you can get tracking details and alerts about your bike delivery, and even have it held for pickup at a secure location.
Download our free mobile app to track and manage your shipments, create shipping labels,
and get alerts.
Download our free mobile app to track and manage your shipments, create shipping labels, and get alerts.
Want to learn more about shipping specialty items? Check out our How-to Hub for guides and tutorials for shipping everything from cupcakes to computers.
FAQs about bicycle shipping
How much does it cost to ship a bike?
Bike shipping costs depend on the weight and size of the box and your delivery timeline. See our shipping service options for details or enter your shipment details to get a rate.
How much does a bicycle box cost?
Prices vary based on who you purchase the bike box from. Expect it to cost anywhere from $15 to $40 or above. Our bike box measures 54" x 8" x 28" and can be purchased at FedEx Office locations. Check out our specialty boxes for more info or contact a FedEx Office location near you.
To ship my bike, do I need to completely disassemble it?
No. But you do need to disassemble it enough so that it fits inside the bike box. This usually means removing handlebars, the front wheel, and the seat at a minimum. Follow our packing steps for more info.
Can I ship an e-bike?
Yes, but you’ll need follow our lithium battery guidelines when preparing your shipment. Lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods and can only be shipped via FedEx Express® services.
Can FedEx Office pack my bike for me?
Yes! If you’re not sure how to ship a bicycle, we’ll be happy to help. A small fee applies. Find a location with packing services near you. I need to ship my bike from home to college.
Will FedEx pick it up?
You bet. One of our couriers will pick up your shipment from your home, office, or other preferred location for a small fee. Submit a one-time pickup request when you’re ready.