Whether you’ve got excess inventory, had a breakdown or simply need to move tires to a warehouse, sometimes shipping is the best solution. You can buy or sell tires on many online marketplaces, including eBay, Etsy, and Craigslist. Below you’ll learn how to ship tires and wheels, with or without rims, and get tips on keeping expenses down.
How much does it cost to ship tires?
Costs vary depending on the size and number of tires as well as the package dimensions, weight and transport distance. Average tire transportation costs are $1.36 per mile to transport tires over 100 miles or less. For longer distances, the average cost for transporting tires over 1,000 miles or less is $0.28 per mile.
What affects tire shipping cost:
- Weight
- Shipping distance
- Package dimensions
- Carrier
- Delivery speed
Some carriers increase size and weight surcharges during peak shipping seasons. If you can avoid sending tires and rims from October to mid-January, you’ll save on total auto-part shipping costs.
For example, if you need to ship a 50-pound tire from New York to Miami, costs may range from $123.25 with USPS priority mail to $419.95 for FedEx two-day air. Typical delivery times for USPS, UPS and FedEx services range from one to four days. If you need a tire in one day, the best options are USPS Priority Mail Express or UPS 2nd Day Air. Both estimate a one- to two-day delivery timeframe.
Top tips for shipping tires
If you need to ship tires, you have a variety of options based on the situation. You can ship the tires without rims or with wheels and rims. You have the option of box shipping or the no-box, auto part shipping method.
Shipping tires without rims
Shipping tires without rims is perhaps the simplest. Often you can place a label on the surface that meets the road, and ship the tire with the carrier as-is. You can also choose to add protection, packing or boxes. Some companies wrap tires in plastic wrap and affix the label directly.
Boxing several tires together may be more cost-effective than shipping multiple tires individually. If you need to send multiple tires to the same destination, it’s worth comparing shipping quotes for individual tire shipments versus packaging all tires together in a single box or crate.
Shipping tires and wheels with rims
Shipping tires and wheels with rims is also simple but requires more careful packing to protect rims from in-transit damage. To safely ship tires with wheels and rims follow these steps:
- Deflate the tire slightly to reduce the chance of in-transit punctures or damage.
- Trace the outline of the tire on a piece of cardboard. Cut out two pieces of cardboard to cover both sides of the tire, protect the rim and prevent scratches.
- For extra protection, add a layer of foam or bubble wrap under the cardboard or around the entire tire.
- Tape the cardboard and foam or bubble wrap to the tire.
- You can now wrap the tire in plastic and ship it as-is, or place it in a box.
- If you pack it in a box, be sure to fill it with soft packing materials like foam peanuts, newspaper or old rags. Don’t forget to seal the box securely with packing or strapping tape.
- Attach the shipping label to the package.
- As a final (optional) layer of protection, you can shrink-wrap the entire package.
- You’re ready to ship.
Box shipping method
The box shipping method entails shipping tires, wheels and rims inside of a box. To protect your shipment, cushion the bottom, sides and top with three inches of bubble wrap or other soft packaging material.
No-box shipping method
Shipping tires, wheels and rims without a box is low-fuss. Simply affix a shipping label directly to the part of the tire that makes contact with the road. Of course you’ll still want to thoroughly pad the rims to prevent in-transit damage. Then shrink-wrap the tires to prevent the protective material from falling off the rims.
Shipping wheels and rims without tires
You can also ship wheels and rims without tires, but this requires greater care. Be sure to:
- Cushion the entire rim and wheel surface to prevent scratches or more serious damage.
- It’s usually simplest to ship non-decorative wheels without a box. You only need to pad them, wrap them in heavy-duty plastic or shrinkwrap, tape them up and attach a shipping label.
- If the wheels are chrome, painted or decorated, pack them in a box to better prevent scuffs or scratches.
Whichever shipping method you choose, packing carefully can ensure a high standard of safety. Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website for more details related to tire treads, traction, temperatures, and more.
Need to ship tires on a larger scale?
If you are shipping tires and wheels or rims at a large scale, you can save time and costs with a third-party fulfillment center. These services cover warehousing, shipping and fulfillment needs, often at discounted rates.
How you can save on tire shipping costs
Shipping tires and wheels can be expensive, so you should weigh the cost of shipping versus buying a new tire locally. Also look into the cost of retreading your tire as an alternative to shipping. Shipping tires isn’t difficult, but it takes some planning to avoid damage in transit. With preparation and analysis, shipping tires can be a lucrative business or a way to sell off unused inventory.
FAQ
Yes, you can ship tires with USPS, as well as with FedEx or UPS. Compare tire shipping costs from major carriers to find the best fit.
Yes, you can ship a tire with FedEx. FedEx offers instructions on preparing automotive parts for shipment.
Consolidated freight is often the cheapest way to ship heavy items. However, it’s worth comparing auto part shipping quotes from major carriers to get the best option for your situation.