Shipping Policy
While manufacturers can easily ship e-bikes to customers, finding ways to ship an e-bike on your own is far more complicated. Battery shipping regulations can be complex and vary from carrier to carrier. Most shipping companies, such as UPS or FedEx, will only transport batteries by ground or rail, making shipping to states like Hawaii nearly impossible. There are also specific requirements for labels and warnings that you must adhere to.
Additionally, federal regulations restrict the types of batteries that can be shipped, and many e-bike batteries are too large to be shipped using standard methods. Plus, e-bike shipping can cost hundreds of dollars. Then there is the hassle of packaging the e-bike safely so that it will not get damaged during transport. Discover the basics of electric bike shipping, including various options for domestic and international delivery. We will cover frequently asked questions and go over:
- E-Bike shipping
- What to know about shipping an e-bike battery
- E-bike domestic shipments
- Packaging an e-Bike
- Best methods to ship an e-bike
- Shipments to Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii
- Do Airlines allow e-bikes
- E-bike shipping
ELECTRIC BIKE SHIPPING
ADO-USA ships e-bikes to all addresses within the contiguous United States. While ADO-USA does not offer e-bike shipping to Alaska or Hawaii, they do have bike shops in those states that sell their e-bikes, without the need for cross-border or overseas shipping.
ADO-USA’s shipping policy offers free delivery for orders over $800. If you choose to take advantage of the ADO-USA return policy, you’ll need to pay the shipping costs to return the item.
Shipping electric bikes internationally is not possible due to strict carrier regulations on high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Read on to learn more about ADO-USA shipping policies, including where they ship from and the estimated delivery time for electric bikes.
How Long Does ADO-USA Take to Ship?
ADO-USA processing times for in-stock e-bikes can take up to five days before they ship. The company uses USPS for its electric bike transport, and shipping times vary depending on location and carrier. Occasionally, our e-bikes are out of stock, we will keep you informed of the status of your order at every point.
How Fast Is ADO-USA Shipping?
ADO-USA shipping times vary depending on processing times, the carrier, and the destination of the item. Once your e-bike leaves the warehouse, you will receive an email notifying you that your bike is on its way, along with a tracking number.
Does ADO-USA Offer Free Shipping on Electric Bikes?
Yes, ADO-USA offers free e-bike shipping to addresses within the 48 continental United States.
Does ADO-USA Ship to Canada?
While ADO-USA only ships to the contiguous United States, the company has several bike shops in Canada, including locations in cities such as Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg. ADO-USA works with a Canadian distributor to deliver bikes to riders across Canada. Riders can contact a bike shop near them to purchase a bike in person or obtain more information on how to buy an ADO e-bike in Canada.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SHIPPING AN ELECTRIC BIKE BATTERY
Here’s the scoop on e-bike battery shipping regulations and why there are necessary precautions when it comes to transporting lithium-ion batteries.
First, it’s essential to understand what a lithium-ion battery is. A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery that stores large amounts of energy. It’s the heart of your electric bike and the power behind its augmented momentum. All ADO-USA lithium-ion batteries are TUV certified in compliance with the UL2849 standard.
With that said, because of the battery’s capacity to store energy, if not used or handled properly, it could become hazardous. That is why the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has implemented certain safeguards to ensure the safety of both passenger and cargo planes. All ADO-USA e-bike batteries are shipped via ground service. So, if you plan to transport or ship yours, check with the airlines to ensure they allow lithium-ion batteries onboard.
According to the IATA, all lithium-ion batteries must be shipped at a state of charge (SoC) not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity. Batteries at an SoC of greater than 30% may only be shipped with the approval of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator under the written conditions established by those authorities. Please fully charge all Lith-ion batteries when you unpack your new ADO e-bike for a minimum of 6 hours.
How Do You Deliver an E-bike?
If you need to deliver an e-bike to a location near you, you can transport the e-bike yourself in a personal vehicle. You can use an e-bike rack & if the bike doesn’t fit in your vehicle.
If you're unable to deliver the e-bike yourself, consider shipping it with a ground shipping service, such as USPS or FedEx. Be aware that regulations surrounding the shipping of an electric bike battery may limit the states or countries to which you can deliver. Before shipping, package the item in a sturdy bike-shipping box that will protect the frame. Please specify your shipping destination in your order.
How Do I Mail an E-bike?
To mail an e-bike using USPS, turn off the battery and carefully pack the bike into a large, well-structured box. Remember, e-bikes are heavy, so you will want to reinforce the package to prevent it from getting damaged in transit. (or original packaging)
The USPS’s shipping policies prohibit shipping e-bikes with batteries exceeding 100 watt-hours, and a DOT-approved lithium battery label must be displayed on the outside of the package.
If your battery is over 100 watt-hours, you will need to ship the e-bike without the battery.
Since mailing an e-bike yourself can be challenging, consider working with an e-bike shipping service that can handle the logistics for you. ALL e-bikes should be returned via ground shipment only.
How to Ship an E-bike
Do you need to ship an e-bike for a vacation or a move across the country? You can ship an e-bike without special certifications or carriers if you are sending in between two points in the contiguous U.S. and it meets certain regulations. To ship your e-bike, pack it up, bring it to a shipping service like UPS or FedEx, and create a shipping label to send it off.
UPS allows the transport of lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of up to 300 watt-hours within the 48 contiguous U.S. states, only by rail or highway (no shipping via air or boat). These batteries must remain installed on the e-bike, and the package requires a label stating, “Lithium batteries forbidden for transport aboard aircraft and vessels.”
FedEx also ships e-bikes with some restrictions. For lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of less than 300 watt-hours, the package must weigh less than 66 pounds and display the same warning label required by UPS. The battery must be wrapped in protective materials, such as bubble wrap, and placed internally in the package to protect it from damage.
Both UPS and FedEx will only ship batteries that pass UN safety tests. Check with your carrier ahead of time to inquire about their most up-to-date policies and ensure you can ship your e-bike.
Can You Bring an E-bike on a Plane?
Bringing an e-bike on a plane can be challenging due to the lithium-ion batteries. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has strict regulations, and each airline can establish additional rules. If you need to fly with your e-bike, it's best to contact your airline directly to learn more.
According to IATA rules, lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of less than 160 watt-hours can be carried on board in carry-on or checked luggage. Batteries over 160-watt-hours have to be transported as cargo in compliance with their Dangerous Goods Regulations. Since most e-bike batteries exceed 160-watt-hours, they would need to be treated as cargo.
ELECTRIC BIKE SHIPPING DOMESTICALLY
If you plan on shipping an electric bike domestically, federal regulations require proper packaging specifications and labels for the following:
- Lithium-ion batteries by themselves
- Lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment
- Lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment
Does FedEx Ship Electric Bikes?
Yes, FedEx ships electric bikes if shippers abide by their lithium-ion battery rules (including limitations to 300 watt-hours, among other requirements). Since these batteries are considered dangerous goods, you can only ship an e-bike using FedEx’s Express services.
Does DHL Ship Electric Bikes?
DHL may ship electric bikes if they adhere to international regulations. DHL only ships items that have two batteries or fewer and fewer than four cells. To ship with DHL, you need to apply for pre-approval.
Can UPS Ship E-bikes?
UPS ships electric bikes if the batteries are less than 300 watt-hours, the package has the required warning label, and the package does not weigh more than 66 pounds. UPS only ships e-bikes via ground and rail transportation to the contiguous 48 U.S. states.
PACKAGING AN ELECTRIC BIKE BATTERY
Since electric bike batteries are considered hazardous, it is essential to package them securely. The packaging should be strong enough to prevent crushing or exposure to other contents during normal mail handling. Remember to check shipping rules regarding the size of the e-bike battery you're sending (most will not be allowed since they exceed 300 watt-hours).
Batteries should be packed in non-conductive materials, such as plastic bags or padded containers, and secured in a larger, sturdy box with adequate cushioning. If there is more than one battery in a package, wrap them separately so that none of the metal connectors touch.
One of the major risks associated with transporting batteries is that they can short-circuit when their terminals touch each other, metal objects, or conductive surfaces. Secure the batteries to prevent them from shifting during transport, and use non-conductive caps or tape to cover any exposed connectors or terminals.
Please note that, at this time, ADO-USA does not accept returned batteries due to shipping carrier restrictions. Therefore, all battery purchases are non-returnable.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO TRANSPORT ELECTRIC BIKES?
Not only are electric bikes heavier than regular bikes, but they also have many more components. We have put together a list of important things to consider when getting ready to package or ship your electric bike:
- Get a box that is rated for electric bikes. Save the original packaging if you can! (Helpful hint: Taking photos as you remove the contents can help in the event you have to repackage or ship it again.)
- Secure all moving parts. There should be no wiggle room or loose components.
- By removing the handlebars from the bike's frame, you prevent them from bending or breaking.
- Remove the front wheel. Use a cardboard separator to prevent damage to the spokes or scratching of the bike's paint. A common question we receive is: “Will the tires blow up if they’re inflated?” The answer: No way!
- By removing the pedals, you narrow the bike, preventing damage to the box and your bike.
- Use heavy packaging materials, such as cardboard, thick Styrofoam, and zip ties, to secure all moving parts.
- Put rubber caps on axles, or anything that can prevent the metal from gouging the box or scratching the paint.
- Secure the battery charger to prevent it from bouncing around. Freight handlers tend to stack, throw, and drop boxes. More protection prevents damage.
- Use brake pad spacers. This will prevent brakes from locking up. You can generally find these at your local bike shop.
- Place sturdy materials along the inside edges of the box so that the shape of the box is not compromised. Internal support can prevent corners from being damaged and prevent the bike and its components from being compromised.
INTERNATIONALLY SHIPPING AN E-BIKE
Select ADO-USA products do not ship outside the continental 48 states, and here is why:
International shipping may become more of a hassle than it's worth when shipping your e-bike overseas, especially if you're visiting/moving to another country, or gifting it to a friend or family member. It requires a significant amount of documentation and red tape, as each country has its own regulations. Most airlines and carriers are not permitted to transport lithium batteries with a capacity exceeding 100 or 160 watt-hours, which limits the ability to ship e-bikes internationally.
DO AIRLINES ALLOW E-BIKES?
Some airlines (like British Airways and American Airlines) ban transporting e-bikes entirely, but others allow some e-bikes on board. All airlines adhere to IATA rules, which limit lithium-ion batteries to 160 watt-hours or less. Most e-bikes have higher wattage than this, making it difficult to take an e-bike on a plane.
Airlines that do allow e-bikes with batteries under 160-watt-hours onboard typically require the battery to be removed from the bike and carried on as hand luggage. These airlines include Alaska Airlines and Delta.
Since flying with an e-bike battery is difficult, you may want to consider other options. You can fly with the bike (and not the battery) and rent a battery at your destination. Alternatively, you can leave the e-bike (and travel hassle) at home and rent an e-bike at your destination.
E-BIKE SHIPPING LIKE AN EXPERT
Shipping an e-bike yourself can be challenging due to federal battery shipping regulations and the varying requirements of different shipping companies. Additionally, packing the e-bike securely can be a hassle, and you will typically incur high shipping fees.
If you decide to ship an e-bike, be sure to carefully read the federal rules and understand the requirements of your shipping company. Pay close attention to your e-bike battery manual to ensure it meets safety certifications and requirements for shipping, or just ship the e-bike without the battery.
Buy an e-bike from ADO-USA, and let us handle your e-bike delivery. We will package up the e-bike and send it directly to your front door. You'll love the simplicity of selecting a top-rated model and letting the experts handle the shipping logistics.
