How to Ship Tires: Everything You Need to Know

Whether on eBay, Shopify, or any other platform, tires are sold daily in the U.S and worldwide. In 2021, the overall shipments of U.S. tires amounted to around 330 million units.

Since tires and wheels come in different sizes and weights, they can determine the cost of shipping. Shipping tires is relatively easy for those who have mastered the process. For some others, it can be a strenuous and challenging task. If not correctly done, the tire can be damaged even before getting to its destination.

The good news is you can become a pro at shipping tires: packaging, and even calculating the shipping cost. This blog post answers all your questions, so keep reading.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Tires?

Regardless of what you are shipping, the following factors impact shipping cost:

• Courier service
• Delivery speed
• Weight of package
• Shipping distance
• Package dimensions

The average passenger car tires weigh roughly 20 pounds and another 30 pounds for the wheel and the metal, making the entire weight of the tire 50 pounds.

How much does it cost to ship tires domestically?

Major courier companies can ship tires domestically for eCommerce merchants. We'll calculate how much it costs to ship a 50-pound tire from New York to a couple of locations across the United States to understand the cost of shipping.

Shipping from New York to Los Angeles

Let's say you're shipping a 50-pound tire shipment from New York to Los Angeles; we'll calculate the example rates for shipping tires below with FedEx tire shipping rates and other couriers below.

Shipping from New York to Miami

Let's say you're shipping a 50-pound tire shipment from New York to Miami; we'll calculate the example rates for the cost to ship a tire via UPS and other couriers below.

Shipping with Easyship

Shipping with Easyship can save you up to 91% off on shipping rates. Here are some of the discount costs for shipping tires across the country.

How much does it cost to ship tires internationally?

Popular courier services that can ship tires internationally are USPS, UPS, and FedEx. We'll calculate how much it costs to ship a 50-pound tire from New York to a couple of locations internationally to understand the costs involved

Shipping from New York to Canada

Let's say you're shipping a 50-pound tire shipment from New York to Canada; we'll calculate the example rates for shipping tires below.

Shipping from New York to the United Kingdom

Let's say you're shipping a 50-pound tire shipment from New York to the United Kingdom; we'll calculate the example rates for shipping tires below.

Shipping with Easyship

Shipping with Easyship can save you up to 91% off on shipping rates – guaranteed. Here are some of the example discount costs for shipping tires across the globe.

*Check out our Shipping Rates Calculator to view all the discounted costs for shipping tires

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Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Tires

If you want to ensure your tire is safe during shipping, you must prepare for it. Unlike any other item, packaging a tire for shipping takes extra care and consideration. Follow the steps below to package tires like a pro.

1. Remove any nuts or bolts and discard any loose hardware

Loose hardware, lug nuts, or bolts damage the wheel, especially during transit. Check the tire thoroughly, look for loose bolts and nuts, and remove them.

2. Secure center caps with tape

Based on the temperature, the aluminum alloy of the wheel's center cap can either expand or contract. If they are not secured, they can come off during movement. The best thing to do is to make sure they are in place all through the journey to avoid this happening. The tape will come in handy here, so use it to keep the center cap in place to ensure they don't fall off.

3. Place foam sheets on the face of the wheels

To protect the wheels, place foam sheets on the wheel's surface. The next step is foam sheets to help create a little padding between the wheel and the cardboard. Finally, you can use tape to secure the foam sheets to stay in place.

4. Layer cardboard bounds on both sides of the tire

Cut out cardboard in circle shapes to cover the wheel. You can use old shipping boxes for this. The rubber itself does not need to be covered with cardboard, so don't be worried if it is exposed. Instead, use plastic wrap to cover the whole tire when securing the wheel.

5. Place the tire inside a cardboard box

Once the tire has been compactly packed, you can place it in a box. You can always purchase the right size of a box from your carrier. Make sure the box you are using is big enough to contain the tire and the cushioning materials.

6. Add cushioning materials inside the cardboard box

What is the packaging for shipping without cushioning materials? Tires are not fragile, but the rubber surface is prone to poking and scratching. To be safe, add enough cushioning materials in the box to keep the tire in place all through the journey.

7. Seal the box and add shipping labels

Use tape to seal the box once your tire is tightly and safely packed in the box. Use a generous amount of tape, covering every opening. Afterward, attach an addressed shipping label on the package when you are set.

Related post: How to Ship Car Parts Internationally: Rates, Packing, and Customs

Best Practices for Shipping Tires

Follow these safe practices before sending your tires for shipping:

Make sure to deflate your tires slightly

The rubber becomes more cushiony by deflating the tire, and the sides get thicker. Letting a little air makes the wheels better protected.

Double-up on cushioning materials

Considering the cost of a tire and the cost of shipping, you do not want your customer to receive a botched tire, such as the wheel, cap, and even the rubber itself. Use enough cushioning materials while packing and make sure they are adequately sealed before shipping.

Add several layers of tape to the shipping box

If you can, go several rounds when you tape the shipping box. The more you tape the box, the better secure it is.

Always opt for shipping insurance

Try using shipping insurance when you ship, and you'll be grateful you did. Insurance provides maximum protection against lost, stolen, or damaged packages. So in case anything happens to your tire during transit, you have a cashback guarantee.

Consider using a shipping platform

When you use a shipping platform, you get access to software that helps you prepare for shipping tires. In addition, shipping platforms like Easyship have shipping calculators that help determine shipping rates for the available shipping carriers. You or your customer can select the one to use based on your preference.

Also, you can print your postage directly from the software. The advantages of using a shipping platform help you to take the stress out of shipping.

The Best Way for Shipping Tires with Easyship

Shipping tires does not have to be an arduous task for you. You spend less or nothing on packaging materials by using materials at your disposal. Also, regardless of the weight of the tire you are shipping, there are many available carriers with various shipping costs. So you do not have to break a bank to ship tires.

By relying on Easyship, you unlock access to premium features that can help you achieve a smooth shipping experience. What's more, Easyship offers the best shipping experience by handling logistics so that you can keep your business running. Click below to gain access to some of the Easyship features:

• Free Shipping Rates Calculator: Access high-volume discounts from major couriers. Plus, get instant access to delivery lead times from premium shipping couriers
• Easyship Branding Suite: Easyship provides a delivery experience consistent with your brand. Add your logo and advertising materials to your packing slips, landing pages, and tracking emails
• Shipping Policy Generator: Our shipping policy generator helps merchants and crowdfunding campaigns generate their shipping policy by providing tracking, insurance options, and other vital information for your shipping process

Ready to ship? Sign up for a FREE Easyship account and create your optimized shipping strategy for shipping tires

Shipping Tires FAQ

How much do tires weigh?

The weight of a tire is primarily determined by its type and size. However, the material and quality also impact the tire's total weight. For example, a small passenger car tire weighs between 20 and 22 pounds, while a large truck tire can be 30 or even 80 pounds.

What is the cheapest way to ship a heavy item?

Carriers like UPS and FedEx offer cheap alternatives for shipping heavy items. For example, the UPS Ground ships packages that weigh as much as 150 pounds. Also, FedEx Freight is likely to save you money when shipping heavy products.

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