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Auto parts come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. Some can be tricky to pack while many are on couriers prohibited items lists. We give you the full lowdown on shipping those spare car parts whether they are used or new.
We´ll tell you exactly how to package car components of various kinds, what car components can or can´t be sent, what car parts aren't covered by insurance 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 reputable courier services. 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.
Every courier will have slightly different rules and regulations about what parts they are able to send, so check individual terms to be sure if what you´re hoping to ship is allowed or check with our customer support team using the Live Chat or through your account.
However, there are some rules that apply almost universally, to all companies. 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 the protection cover which includes windows, windscreens, wing mirrors etc. Batteries and airbags are also not suitable to send using general courier services such as the ones available to book on our shipping marketplace.
Many delivery companies also have restrictions on the size and weight of the package, so make sure you measure the dimensions and weight of your package (including packaging materials, remember!) 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 rates.
Body Panels
Bonnets
Boots/tailgates
Bumpers
Doors
Engines
Exhausts
Gearboxes
Seats
Tires ( must be deflated)
Wheels
Lights
Sat Navs and infotainment displays
If you need fast shipping for your auto parts in the US we offer domestic courier services that will ensure your package is shipped quickly using our Overnight delivery service provided by FedEx.
FedEx will come and pick up your package and ship it safely to the recipient using an express delivery service whilst you can follow the package in transit to delivery using the tracking number.
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 auto parts sale price and using a discounted shipping calculator tool such as ours, you might be able to entice more buyers by offering free shipping. We have reliable ground shipping services, where the courier will come and pick up from your home or work or you can choose to drop off your package at a local store.
For many auto parts using a ground service, delivered by road, is also a lot easier and cost-effective. They may be heavy and so costs can creep up if you use express couriers, plus some auto parts are not suitable to fly.We offer fully tracked courier services ideal for those selling on eBay as well as small to medium businesses.
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 posted that require certain packaging techniques. Most importantly to remember, is your package will be shipped through big warehouses and depots, so double box all your components and use plenty of internal packaging.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When it comes to sending auto parts overseas there are a number of international courier services you may be able to use including-
Some of these services are suitable for lightweight packets at a low value such as DHL eCommerce with slower transit times but cheap shipping rates, whilst other express shipping services might be more suitable for auto parts that are high value or required urgently. We can help you reach destinations around the globe using our courier services and some countries are frequently importing auto spares from the US, often for cars built in the US.
DHL and TrakPak are the most popular delivery services for shipping car parts from the US as they are able to cater for large packages.
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.
Importing car spares to the US is now also possible using the Parcel Monkey global shipping marketplace as we offer competitive shipping rates from almost any destination across the world, especially Europe.
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.