How to ship an electric bike: A Beginner’s Guide
As electric bikes become more popular, and as today’s consumers become more environmentally conscious, e-bike sales have skyrocketed since 2014, increasing eightfold between 2014 and 2018. However, transporting these battery-powered, irregularly shaped, bulky and delicate bikes can be a problem for e-commerce merchants selling electric bike.
The biggest obstacles to shipping e-bikes include lithium batteries, oddly shaped packaging and documentation. In this blog, all the steps will be covered to ensure you safely transport your e-bike.
First, let’s talk about batteries. Most e-bikes use lithium batteries, which are extremely flammable and are labeled as hazardous by major courier companies such as USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL. However, whether or not you can check in a battery actually depends on the type, lithium content, size and weight of the battery. If you are shipping lithium-ion batteries weighing no more than 5 kilograms, then they can be shipped like any other shipment, even without a Dangerous Goods contract. Most couriers accept lithium ion batteries, but if you are consigning lithium metal batteries, you will need to contact the courier in advance as they are considered more dangerous and are not accepted by most couriers.
Below are specific courier guidelines regarding shipping lithium batteries.
For USPS:
Lithium batteries must be properly installed in the device.
Only certain types of lithium batteries are eligible for domestic air transportation, see eligibility documents.
All lithium batteries are prohibited from international shipment, except for certain small consumer lithium batteries (installed in the equipment in which they are operated). The total watt-hour rating of each battery cell must not exceed 20 Wh and the total watt-hour rating of each cell must not exceed 100 Wh.
For FedEx:
The total watt-hour rating of each lithium-ion cell must not exceed 20 Wh; the total watt-hour rating of each lithium-ion cell must not exceed 100 Wh.
The total weight of each lithium metal cell must not exceed 1 gram; the total weight of each lithium metal battery must not exceed 2 grams.
No more than 4 cells or 2 batteries per button cell (including circuit boards) packed with the device.
See the FedEx Guide for more information.
For UPS:
UPS does not accept any products listed in UN3090 (Lithium Metal Batteries, Non-Rechargeable, Non-Equipped) or UN3480 Part II (Lithium Ion Batteries, Rechargeable, Non-Equipped) for air shipment. Shipping these items requires pre-approval from UPS and a hazardous materials contract.
The total watt-hour rating of each battery cell must not exceed 20 Wh and the total watt-hour rating of each battery must not exceed 100 Wh.
If fewer than 2 lithium batteries are installed/packaged in the unit, the package can be shipped without marking it as Hazmat.
For DHL:
DHL will only accept shipments listed under UN3481-PI967 and UN3091-PI969 with batteries installed in the equipment.
Each package must not contain more than 4 battery cells or 2 battery packs.
The total watt-hour rating of each battery cell must not exceed 20 Wh and the total watt-hour rating of each battery must not exceed 100 Wh.
The net weight of lithium batteries in each package shall not exceed 5 kilograms.
Again, shipping policies and pricing may vary depending on battery type (lithium-ion or lithium-metal), lithium content, weight, size, and whether or not it is installed in/packaged with equipment. However, not all lithium batteries will be accepted by couriers and all couriers are prohibited from shipping defective, damaged or recalled batteries. Lithium batteries are marked as dangerous goods, which means that a surcharge may be applied for transportation.
Packaging is another important matter. If you’re shipping a battery mounted on an e-bike or shipping the battery separately, you’ll need someone who is currently Hazmat certified to package it for you. In addition, the package will need to pass a 1.2 meter drop test to ensure that no chemicals will be released, that the battery will not be damaged, or that movement within the battery will cause a short circuit.
Bicycles are irregularly shaped, large and heavy, which means they are expensive to ship. What you can do is disassemble the parts as much as possible and pack them together to save space, while making sure that all parts are cushioned and separated from each other.
If you decide to pack your bike and battery separately, it will be easier. The bike itself will be shipped the same way as any other cargo. As for the battery, you’ll still need someone with a Dangerous Goods certification to pack it.ShipSaving offers multiple shipments, allowing you to track multiple separate shipments under one master tracking number using sub-tracking numbers.
Finally, plan ahead and ask the courier what documentation you may need. Documents for shipping batteries include Material Safety Data Sheets, UN38.8 Certificates, Certificates of Origin, P1965, and more. I would like to emphasize the UN38.8 certificate, which takes 2-3 months to process and proves that your battery has been tested. This is necessary for the courier to accept shipments containing batteries.
Domestic E-Bike Shipping
If you’re planning to ship your e-bike within the United States, here are some packing suggestions.
Securely Pack Your Shuangye E-Bike
E-bikes are not only heavier than regular bikes, but they also have more parts. You may be wondering how to ship your electric bicycle. We’ve listed the key factors to consider when packing or shipping your Shuangye ebike:
Sturdy cardboard box
Purchase a special box for your e-bike. If possible, keep the original packaging! It is recommended to take photos of the item as you remove it, this will be useful if you need to repack or send it.
Remove loose parts
Avoid any mistakes. Secure all moving parts. There should not be any wobbly or loose parts.
Protecting the battery
Since e-bike batteries are considered hazardous, it is important to remember to pack them safely. Packaging should be strong enough to prevent crushing or exposure to other items during routine mail handling. One of the biggest dangers of transporting batteries is that they can short-circuit when the terminals come into contact with each other, metal objects or conductive surfaces.
Shuangye sends ebikes with fixed batteries. The increase in logistics of sending batteries individually ultimately leads to an increase in the overall price of e-bikes. This also helps to save time and energy as lithium-ion batteries are sent at the same time as the e-bike.
Freewheeling
To freewheel, remove the front wheel. Use cardboard dividers to avoid damaging the spokes or scratching the bike’s paint.
Protecting the Bicycle Frame
Cover the bike frame with bubble wrap or foam pads to protect the e-bike frame and parts from scratches and impacts.
Packing Tape
Use packing tape or packing tape to seal the package and prevent the e-bike inside from moving.
Remove the handlebar
Remove the handlebars from the bike frame to prevent them from bending or breaking.
Protecting the paint
Cover the axle or other objects with a rubber sleeve to prevent metal from scratching or damaging the paint.
Battery charger
Make sure the battery charger is secure and avoid moving it. Freight crews commonly stack, throw and drop boxes. Greater security prevents damage.
Clean and dry the bike
Make sure your Shuangye e-bike is free of dirt and completely dry before packing.
International E-Bike Transportation
If you are visiting/moving to another country/region or donating your e-bike to a friend or family member, international shipping can be more trouble than it’s worth. Because each country/region has its own regulations, it requires a lot of paperwork and red tape.
To learn more, check the e-bike regulations for the country you’re traveling to. This also applies to Canadian buyers.Shuangye ships e-bikes directly to Canadian customers from local warehouses.
To summarize
The holidays are approaching and so are Shuangye’s delivery deadlines! Be sure to place your order as soon as possible to avoid the stress of last-minute shopping and massive delivery delays! If you have any questions about the status of your holiday logistics, please contact our customer support.