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shipping a bike to europe?

531 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by chad1433, Dec 13, 2005

jh_on_the_cape

Discussion Starter · Dec 13, 2005

Anyone ever shipped a bike to Europe?
What service did you use and how much was it? Just a normal bike box?

I know it's free to bring a bike on the plane, but for a variety of reasons I cannot. I will be sending a spare bike to Italy, and leave it there for good for me to use on return trips.

I don't mind doing surface mail, even if it takes a few months.

Just seeing if someone did the homework on this before I start googling. I did use the search on mtbr and found nothing.

grazie!

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nogearshere

· #2 · Dec 13, 2005

I have shipped numerous frames to Europe the UK and Australia.
UPS is out to lunch b/c of cubed rates...parcel post is the most economical. depending on the final weight and box size, airmail might be possible. I paid $100cdn I would expect $60-70us. USPS RATES

make it as light as you can. rubber, tubes, chain...buy whatever you can over there.

USPS is similar to Canada Post in delivery times Europe and UK 6-8 weeks via surface with NO delivery promises (some have take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 9)...heaven help you if you need to make a claim...add another 6-8 weeks for that.

in short;
make it as light and small as possible (it will get dropped but a bike box will survive)
ship as early as possible
insure, INSURE insure.

good luck

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SHIVER ME TIMBERS

· #3 · Dec 13, 2005

nogearshere said:
I have shipped numerous frames to Europe the UK and Australia.
UPS is out to lunch b/c of cubed rates...parcel post is the most economical. depending
make sure to take off your derailer. so you don't break your hanger...I would wrap my frame in a moving balnket so you don't get wear marks or sratches on the paint

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jh_on_the_cape

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 13, 2005

nogearshere said:
I have shipped numerous frames to Europe the UK and Australia.
UPS is out to lunch b/c of cubed rates...parcel post is the most economical. depending on the final weight and box size, airmail might be possible. I paid $100cdn I would expect $60-70us. USPS RATES

make it as light as you can. rubber, tubes, chain...buy whatever you can over there.

USPS is similar to Canada Post in delivery times Europe and UK 6-8 weeks via surface with NO delivery promises (some have take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 9)...heaven help you if you need to make a claim...add another 6-8 weeks for that.

in short;
make it as light and small as possible (it will get dropped but a bike box will survive)
ship as early as possible
insure, INSURE insure.

good luck

thanks!
the usps website is great. 44 lbs max weight for economy surface to italy. 54.15 dollars for that. it's about a buck a dollar for decreasing the weight. takes about 6-8 weeks.

was it fine to use a normal size bike box? i didnt find any size restrictions.

i have to admit that i was sort of hoping it was more expensive to justify a S&S upgrade!!

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nogearshere

· #5 · Dec 13, 2005

jh_on_the_cape said:
thanks!
the usps website is great. 44 lbs max weight for economy surface to italy. 54.15 dollars for that. it's about a buck a dollar for decreasing the weight. takes about 6-8 weeks.

was it fine to use a normal size bike box? i didnt find any size restrictions.

i have to admit that i was sort of hoping it was more expensive to justify a S&S upgrade!!

there should be max dims on the site - somewherez.
in canada the longest dim is 100cm. so i make them almost square (8" wide). usps (i believe) is longer than 100cm.

if you want to increase the cost you can ship it to me i will pack it and charge you $400 for the service.

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chad1433

· #6 · Dec 13, 2005

Sounds like fun. Where in Italy will you be riding? Working there or just vacation (holiday!)?

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