How to ship ebikes overseas by sea or by air?
#2
Senior Member
Bikes shouldn't be a problem, but AFAIK, unless the rules have changed, batteries must be coordinated through a HAZMAT office. I wanted to ship a battery several years ago, but the only company I could locate that would certify the battery was too far away to make the transfer feasible. There is (was) a huge fine for shipping a battery "larger" than 100 whr by air or 300 whr by land without certification.
#3
Bikes shouldn't be a problem, but AFAIK, unless the rules have changed, batteries must be coordinated through a HAZMAT office. I wanted to ship a battery several years ago, but the only company I could locate that would certify the battery was too far away to make the transfer feasible. There is (was) a huge fine for shipping a battery "larger" than 100 whr by air or 300 whr by land without certification.
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#4
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In case it's relevant to your situation, here's a link to the FAA rules for passenger planes--both checked and carry-on.
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/fi..._batteries.pdf
Relevant bit: With airline approval, devices can contain larger lithium ion batteries (101-160 watt hours per battery), but spares of this size are limited to two batteries in carry-on baggage only. This size covers the largest aftermarket extended-life laptop batteries and most lithium ion batteries for professional-grade audio/visual equipment.
This seems to be where the 160W auxiliary batteries available for some bikes, come from.
In sum, entire bikes seem tricky!
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/fi..._batteries.pdf
Relevant bit: With airline approval, devices can contain larger lithium ion batteries (101-160 watt hours per battery), but spares of this size are limited to two batteries in carry-on baggage only. This size covers the largest aftermarket extended-life laptop batteries and most lithium ion batteries for professional-grade audio/visual equipment.
This seems to be where the 160W auxiliary batteries available for some bikes, come from.
In sum, entire bikes seem tricky!
#5
Clark W. Griswold
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I would recommend selling your battery here in the U.S. and then getting another battery in the country you move to. You will have to go by sea generally if you want to send the whole thing but it is still a lot of work.
I am glad you got FedEx to say they couldn't help you (not because I don't want you to ship), they once said to me "we can ship that" and I had to tell them you actually can't it is a hazmat and he was confused and I explained it to him and still never got that battery solved from them and DHL was an even worse nightmare. Shipping batteries is an absolute nightmare. I was hazmat certified by FedEx and UPS and still have issues shipping batteries luckily we convinced Specialized and Bosch to stop needing to take batteries back and now with Call2Recycle I could just put them in a box (assuming not thermal) and they had a label on it and would take it and take care of it safely.
I am glad you got FedEx to say they couldn't help you (not because I don't want you to ship), they once said to me "we can ship that" and I had to tell them you actually can't it is a hazmat and he was confused and I explained it to him and still never got that battery solved from them and DHL was an even worse nightmare. Shipping batteries is an absolute nightmare. I was hazmat certified by FedEx and UPS and still have issues shipping batteries luckily we convinced Specialized and Bosch to stop needing to take batteries back and now with Call2Recycle I could just put them in a box (assuming not thermal) and they had a label on it and would take it and take care of it safely.
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#6
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Join Date: Jul 2015
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#7
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
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A battery like that less than likely. They are working on taking more batteries but unknown stuff not likely. Stuff that has gone thermal goes into basically kitty litter inside of a sealed drum and they have a way to ship it. That would probably end up in one of those more than likely as I wouldn't trust a homemade battery from someone I didn't know not to burn down the place. It may not and it could be totally fine but it is a risk that could have at my old shop cost us millions and a lot of jobs.
#8
wantted to bring my Brompton ebike from Singapore back to the US. spoke with a few ebike shops in singapore.
Finally, one shop got back to me and told me that they had successfully shipped batteries by air in the past. Tey explained I would need quite a number of documents from the manufacturer. without their assistance, I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. they also listed down the required docs on their website: https://jimove.sg/blogs/news/can-i-b...ravel-overseas
Finally, one shop got back to me and told me that they had successfully shipped batteries by air in the past. Tey explained I would need quite a number of documents from the manufacturer. without their assistance, I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. they also listed down the required docs on their website: https://jimove.sg/blogs/news/can-i-b...ravel-overseas
#9
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
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wantted to bring my Brompton ebike from Singapore back to the US. spoke with a few ebike shops in singapore.
Finally, one shop got back to me and told me that they had successfully shipped batteries by air in the past. Tey explained I would need quite a number of documents from the manufacturer. without their assistance, I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. they also listed down the required docs on their website: https://jimove.sg/blogs/news/can-i-b...ravel-overseas
Finally, one shop got back to me and told me that they had successfully shipped batteries by air in the past. Tey explained I would need quite a number of documents from the manufacturer. without their assistance, I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. they also listed down the required docs on their website: https://jimove.sg/blogs/news/can-i-b...ravel-overseas
Shipping an ebike battery by air can be a complex and costly process. It may be simpler and more cost-effective to inquire with your ebike manufacturer if there is a local ebike shop in the destination country where you can purchase a replacement battery, rather than shipping your original battery.
I know it would suck but shipping hazmats is less fun.
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#10
The end of that link is the smartest move:
Shipping an ebike battery by air can be a complex and costly process. It may be simpler and more cost-effective to inquire with your ebike manufacturer if there is a local ebike shop in the destination country where you can purchase a replacement battery, rather than shipping your original battery.
I know it would suck but shipping hazmats is less fun.
Shipping an ebike battery by air can be a complex and costly process. It may be simpler and more cost-effective to inquire with your ebike manufacturer if there is a local ebike shop in the destination country where you can purchase a replacement battery, rather than shipping your original battery.
I know it would suck but shipping hazmats is less fun.
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#11
Junior Member
You could sell just the battery and buy a new one when you arrive.