Shipping Auto Parts
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Auto parts come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. When it comes to shipping, some can be tricky to pack while others are prohibited by many couriers. Here you'll a full lowdown on shipping spare car parts, whether they are used or new.
We’ll tell you how to package car components of various kinds, what car components can and can't be sent, what car parts aren't covered by protection cover, and how to courier car engines and other large car components. With our help, your car or motorbike parts will be safely motoring to their recipient in no time at all.
Auto parts get shipped all around the world, all of the time, and, generally, you can send them cheaply, easily and safely, without any problems at all using a reputable courier service. However, there are a few rules and limitations you should know about for shipping car components, and it is very important to make sure you package parts carefully, according to the type of part it is.
What auto parts can I ship?
Every courier will have slightly different rules and regulations about what parts they are able to ship. If you’re unsure, contact our customer support team and they will be happy to advise you on which courier service will be most suitable.
However, there are some rules that apply almost universally to all couriers. The first is that you can't send liquids, or any component containing liquids. If it is an engine or part of a car that has contained fluid, it needs to have the purge certificate with it showing that it has been purged of all fluids. This is relevant to auto parts such as:
- Radiators
- Fluid reservoirs
- Fuel tank
- Engine
- Gearbox and differential
Components made with glass, even partially, may not be covered by protection cover. This includes windows, windscreens, wing mirrors etc. Batteries and airbags should not be shipped using general courier services and should not be sent via any of the courier services available to book through Parcel Monkey.
Many delivery companies also have restrictions on the size and weight of the package, so make sure you measure the dimensions and weight of the item you’re sending, including all the packing materials. Your package should be packed and ready to go before you enter the details into our shipping calculator to ensure you get the correct shipping cost.
Some of the items shipped using courier services available via Parcel Monkey include:
- Body Panels
- Bonnets
- Boots/tailgates
- Bumpers
- Doors
- Engines
- Exhausts
- Gearboxes
- Seats
- Tires ( must be deflated)
- Wheels
- Lights
- Sat Navs and infotainment displays
Selling cheap auto parts? Want to offer free shipping?
If the shipping cost is waived by the seller it can lead to more sales… and who doesn’t appreciate free shipping?
But as a seller you may not want to be paying out for all your customer's shipping costs, so by putting some of the cost on the auto part sale price and using discounted shipping rates, you may be able to afford to offer free shipping without too much impact on your bottom line. Using Parcel Monkey you can book reliable US ground shipping services, which are ideal for shipping large and heavy items cheaply and you can choose a courier collection from your home or work or drop off your package at a local drop-off point - whatever works best for you.
For many auto parts, using a ground service that transports goods via road, may be they only option as some auto parts are not suitable to be sent via air. We offer fully tracked ground services with UPS and USPS at discounted rates.
How do I pack auto parts?
Car parts come in all different shapes and sizes, which means there are specific ways you should pack them. Following the Parcel Monkey guidelines should help you correctly prepare the most common car parts for shipping. Remember, your package will travel through big warehouses and depots, so double-box all your components and use plenty of internal packaging.
How to package glass components
If you want to ship restricted items such as headlights or instrument displays, you´ll need to pack them very carefully. We recommend using a solid box. Then add further protection by covering the fragile side(s) with more cardboard. Wrap the part in bubble wrap and make sure it's firmly secured in the box.
How to package bodywork
Bodywork is another auto part you have to pack extremely well. You can't simply cover it in bubble wrap, as you have to protect the structure; bumpers, grilles, and trim, for instance, can be damaged by bending them. A box or ideally two is the best solution here, reinforced if necessary. If you can´t find a suitable box, use a lot of soft packaging and pay particular attention to the edges and corners, as these can poke through.
How to package engines and heavy items
Some couriers will accept really heavy items such as engines, gearboxes, and axles. For such items, you will need to source a heavy-duty crate or wooden pallet. You can order these online or you may be able to acquire at a large local store, but remember that it will probably need to be carried using a forklift, so make sure you choose one that is suitable.
Obviously, a specialist courier service is needed for this kind of delivery, and there will be specific requirements for packaging and collection – so bear this in mind when ordering. More than likely we will only offer a heavy domestic shipping service for such big and bulky items.
How to package wheels and tires
We recommend you ship wheels in separate boxes. They can be quite heavy, so packaging four together would require an extremely sturdy box and a lot of cushioning material inside. If you´re shipping wheels fitted with tires, you can get away without using boxes, as the tires act as packaging for the wheels. Just make sure to put plenty of cardboard protection over the faces of the wheels and ensure the tires are deflated.
Drain the fluids
If you´re sending a component that contains fluids, it´s vital that you make sure all the liquid is drained from it. This is not only to ensure nothing will leak out, but also because the fluids may be classified as hazardous.
If fluids are detected and it's already on its way to the recipient, the courier will not only refuse to deliver the item but also refuse to return the package to you. As a precaution, it's worth putting absorbent material of some kind around the part, just in case there's any residual liquid.
Protection cover for shipping auto parts
Some of the couriers available with Parcel Monkey will allow you to add protection cover for free, up to a certain value. However, for more expensive items we recommend you extend the cover, just in case the item is damaged or lost. Parcel Monkey will provide compensation up to the value of $1,000 with certain couriers.
Shipping car parts internationally
When it comes to sending auto parts overseas there are a number of international courier services you may be able to use including:
You can book the above courier services at a discounted rate through Parcel Monkey to help you reach destinations around the globe.
Worldwide Expedited is the most popular delivery service for shipping car parts from the US and can cater for packages up to 130 lbs.
Customs
If you require Customs Documents, these will be provided to you in the booking process, but be clear in why you are shipping the spare part and describe in detail exactly what it is and always provide a recipient contact number.
Import Auto Parts to the US
Importing car spares to the US is also possible using Parcel Monkey and we offer competitive shipping rates from Europe to the US.
Simply select the destination you want to ship to and from, add the weight of your package and start getting low-cost international courier quotes.