Calculating shipping costs and choosing the cheapest shipping method can be confusing. Our guides to the cheapest way to ship anything make it easy to compare shipping costs and choose the right method for your freight, whether you’re shipping common items like boxes or hard-to-transport items like antiques or art.
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1. How much does it cost to send a bicycle?
We have calculated shipping costs for three common shipping methods: USPS, Parcel Shipping, and Consolidated Freight.
i. usps shipping costs
ii. package shipping costs (for example, ups or fedex)
iii. consolidated freight
iv. specialized bicycle carriers
2. frequently asked questions
Get answers to frequently asked questions about shipping a bike.
Shipping a bike may seem complicated, but it’s easier than you’d expect. there are many reasons why one might need to ship a bike:
- You’re moving to another state or across the country. Shipping your bike to your new home makes sense for specialty, race, or high-value bikes, but for older ones , less valuable bikes, your best bet is often to sell them and start over in your new hometown.
- You are an individual or business selling and shipping a bike to someone in another state.
- You’re shipping your bike elsewhere for a race or a vacation. This often means there are time constraints and other factors to consider. For example, carriers must also feel confident that their high-value or specialized bicycles will be safe from damage in transit.
There are some special considerations to keep in mind when shipping a bike:
- Bike Value: Shipping your bike makes the most sense for relocating custom, specialized or high-value bikes, or if you are participating in a race. if you move, it’s best to sell and replace older, cheaper bikes in your new town.
- box size: all bikes must be in a box for shipment. Bicycles are generally not heavy compared to other cargo, so the size of your package can have a more significant impact on shipping costs than its weight, especially if your carrier considers it an oversized package. Most bike boxes measure around 43″ x 32″ x 11″, which meets the domestic size requirements for package carriers like UPS and FedEx. Larger boxes are also available.
- weight: most bikes are fairly light, ranging from 17 to 80 pounds depending on the style of bike, and aren’t likely to result in a heavy pack. about 25 pounds, so we’ll use this for our shipping estimates below (plus a 10-pound reserve for packaging, for a total of 35 pounds.
- insurance: transport companies will provide the minimum level of insurance required by the federal government, but this will not cover the full cost of your bike if it is lost or damaged in transit, it is always recommended to purchase additional insurance to cover your bike.
- packaging: the appropriate packaging o It is essential to keep your bike safe during transport. Special soft-shell or hard-shell bike cases are available, but these are usually ideal for transporting racing bikes that are shipped frequently. for a one-time shipment as part of a relocation, a well-packaged, sturdy corrugated box is sufficient.
how much does it cost to ship a bike?
The cost of shipping a bike depends on the size of the box, how much it weighs, and how quickly you need it to arrive. bicycles are not eligible for flat rate shipping and must be shipped via variable price services or specialized bicycle carriers.
Compare rates to ship a bike using some of the most common methods:
- usps
- parcel shipping (like fedex or ups)
- consolidated freight
- special bike carriers
oops
The United States Postal Service can transport properly packaged bicycles weighing less than 70 pounds. Due to their size, bikes do not qualify for flat rate shipping and can only be shipped using USPS retail ground services.
With delivery in 2-8 business days, USPS Retail Ground is ideal for less urgent shipments and large packages.
43″ x 11″ x 32″ 35lbs
package delivery (ups or fedex)
Package carriers like fedex and ups can ship bikes with faster delivery times than usps, with multiple delivery options available. The cost of shipping your bike will depend on the size and weight of the shipment, as well as the speed and distance of the trip.
fedex has a maximum weight for shipping a bike and cannot ship bikes that weigh more than 95 pounds.
43″ x 11″ x 32″ 35lbs
*shipping cost estimates are calculated using individual carriers’ online cost estimating tools. Details, exact prices and shipping times are not guaranteed.
consolidated cargo (tsi)
LTC carriers like TSI specialize in transporting large, heavy, and difficult-to-ship cargo, such as household items and furniture. These racks can ship bikes, but they may not be the most ideal shipping method unless you’re transporting your bike as part of a larger household move.
Most LTL carriers will set minimum billable weight limits; At TSI, for example, our minimum billable weight is 120 pounds. that means all bikes will be priced as if they weighed 120 pounds, even if they weigh less. If you’re transporting your bike along with boxes of household items or furniture as part of a household move, consolidated freight may be the most cost-effective shipping option. the cost of your shipment will depend on the total combined weight of your shipment, as well as the distance traveled.
Estimated pricing information below is based on a minimum billable weight of 120 pounds.
note: the size of the box does not take into account the price of freight.
special bike carriers
Bike shipping companies like bikeflights.com or shipbikes.com specialize in long-distance bike shipping. These carriers will likely ship your bike via package carriers like UPS or FedEx, but they can usually offer volume discounts thanks to the number of bikes they ship via these carriers. you simply need to pack your bike, book your shipment, and schedule a pickup or delivery. you can even arrange to drop off your bike at a bike shop to put it back together properly.
These providers will guide you through the bike shipping process step-by-step, often including shipping the right size box for your bike. They can also guarantee on-time delivery or offer a refund for late delivery, making these carriers ideal for those shipping their bikes to race. additional charges may apply for residential pickup or delivery.
43″ x 11″ x 32″ 35lbs
$62.95 for ground transportation
$197.95-$372.95 for airfreight
$83.95 for ground transportation
$349.95-$473.95 for airfreight
$62.95 for ground transportation
$197.95-$372.95 for airfreight
$83.95 for ground transportation
$349.95-$473.95 for airfreight
Note: Shipping cost estimates are calculated using individual carriers’ online cost estimating tools. Details, exact prices and shipping times are not guaranteed.
