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How to send a bike by courier
Compare courier prices to send a bike in one search. From £14.38, boxed bike guidance, VAT included. Pack it right and quote in 30 seconds.
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Compare couriers to send a bike
A boxed bike is one of the trickiest things to send because it is large, awkward and valuable, but it is routine once it is packed into a proper bike box. Most couriers handle a bike as a large parcel, and the price depends mostly on the box size and weight rather than the distance within mainland Britain. ParcelMatch compares every carrier that takes large parcels, including DPD, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL and FedEx, so you can see the cheapest and fastest options for a bike in one search, with VAT included and no account needed to compare or book. Whether you have sold a bike online, are posting one back after a trial, or are shipping your own ride ahead to a holiday or race, the process is the same once the box is ready.
Because a bike sits near the upper size limit, carriers vary more on price than they do for a small parcel, so comparing is well worth the few seconds it takes. The right box and the cheapest compliant carrier together make the biggest difference to what you pay. A quick comparison also tells you at a glance which carriers will even accept your packed dimensions, which saves a booking being refused at the depot.
Cost
How much does it cost to send a bike?
A boxed bike is treated as a large parcel, and prices start from around £14.38 for a standard adult bike within the usual size limits. Here is how the main service types compare, with live figures from the quote engine.
The price is driven by the larger of the actual and the volumetric weight, so a well-packed box that is no bigger than it needs to be keeps the cost down.
Economy, large parcelfrom£14.382 to 3 working days
Next-day, large parcelfrom£15.871 working day
A bike box is often charged on its volume rather than its actual weight, which is why a compact box matters.
The gap between economy and next-day on a bike is small, so if the delivery date matters it is often worth the extra for the faster service.
Size and weight
What size and weight can I send?
Most couriers take parcels up to around 30kg and up to about 1.5m on the longest side on standard services. A boxed adult bike with the wheels and pedals off and the handlebars turned usually fits inside those limits. A large bike box can approach the 1.5m length limit, so measure the packed box before you quote, as oversize boxes move to a dedicated service and cost more. Children's bikes and folding bikes are smaller and often cheaper to send. An e-bike is a special case, as the battery is usually classed as a restricted item and may need to be removed and sent separately or shipped on a dedicated service, so check the rules before you book one.
Packing
How to pack a bike for shipping
Good packing is what keeps a bike safe and the price down. Follow these steps:
- step 01
Start with a proper bike box, ideally the original or one from a local bike shop, which is sized for a bike and keeps the volume down.
- step 02
Remove the pedals, turn or remove the handlebars, and take off the front wheel. Lower the saddle.
- step 03
Wrap the frame tubes, forks and any protruding parts with pipe lagging or bubble wrap, and slip a spacer into the fork dropouts and brake calipers.
- step 04
Secure the loose wheel alongside the frame with the disc or sprockets facing inward, and pad between it and the frame.
- step 05
Fill every gap so nothing shifts, then tape the box firmly along all seams with the H-taping method.
- step 06
Attach the label flat on the largest face, clear of seams and edges.
Before you book
Common mistakes to avoid when sending a bike
A few avoidable errors cause most bike damage and most surprise charges. The biggest is using a box that is far too large, which both invites knocks and pushes the volumetric weight into a higher price band. Leaving the pedals on or the handlebars straight is another, as they catch on other parcels and bend. Many people forget to fit fork and caliper spacers, so the dropouts and brake pistons get crushed if the box is squeezed. Do not skimp on tape or leave seams open, and never write a value on the outside of the box that advertises what is inside. Finally, always measure the packed box rather than guessing, as an under-declared size is the most common reason a bike is surcharged or refused.
Sending a bike abroad
You can send a bike overseas on international services from carriers such as UPS, DHL and FedEx, which ParcelMatch compares alongside the domestic options. Allow more time than for a mainland delivery, pack to the same standard, and complete a customs declaration describing the bike and its value accurately. Check the destination country's rules and any duties the recipient may owe, as these are charged separately from the courier price. For a valuable bike going abroad, higher cover and full tracking are well worth the small extra.
Should I insure a bike?
A bike is valuable, so it is worth checking the cover included with each service and adding more if the replacement value is high. ParcelMatch shows the standard cover against each quote so you can pick a service with enough protection, and add-on cover where you need it. Keep your proof of posting and a dated photo of the packed bike, as these make any claim far easier to settle.
Your choice
Drop-off or collection?
A boxed bike is big, so a doorstep collection is often more convenient than carrying it to a drop-off point, and it is available on most large-parcel services for a little more. If you can get it to a depot or shop, drop-off is usually cheaper. ParcelMatch shows both in your results.
Couriers
Which couriers take bikes?
| Courier | For bikes |
|---|---|
| Parcelforce and DPD | Parcelforce and DPD handle large boxed bikes reliably and are often the best value on this size. |
| UPS, DHL and FedEx | UPS, DHL and FedEx suit faster or international bike shipments. |
| Evri | Evri takes smaller and folding bikes within its size limits, often cheapest for those. |
ParcelMatch shows which carriers quote your boxed size and what each costs.
See all carriersHow it works
How it works
Book in one checkout
Pick a service, add the addresses and pay. Your label lands in your inbox straight away.
Drop off or get collected
Leave it at a depot or book a collection, then track it on one page.
Why ParcelMatch
Why send a bike with ParcelMatch
- Every carrier that takes a boxed bike, compared in one search, from £14.38
- Prices driven by box size, shown with VAT included
- Standard cover shown against each quote, with add-on cover available
- Collection or drop-off, whichever suits
- No account needed to compare and book
- One tracking page for every courier
How much does it cost to send a bike?
From around £14.38 for a boxed adult bike on economy, or from £15.87 for next-day, with VAT included. The exact price depends on your packed box size, as a bike is usually charged on its volume.
How do I pack a bike to post it?
Use a proper bike box, remove the pedals, front wheel and turn the bars, pad all protruding parts, fill the gaps and tape the seams firmly. Fit spacers in the fork and brakes so nothing is crushed in transit.
What is the cheapest way to send a bike?
A compact, well-packed box on an economy large-parcel service, usually from Parcelforce or DPD, from £14.38. A box no bigger than it needs to be keeps the volumetric weight and the price down.
Can I get next-day delivery for a bike?
Yes, from £15.87 on a next-day large-parcel service across mainland Britain. On a bike the gap to economy is small, so next-day is often worth it when the date matters.
Can I send a bike without a box?
No. A box is required to protect the bike and for the courier to handle it. A bike shop can usually supply one, often free, if you do not have the original.
Can I send an e-bike by courier?
Sometimes, but the battery is usually a restricted item and may need to be removed or sent on a dedicated service. Check the carrier's lithium battery rules before you book.
Can I send a bike abroad?
Yes, on international services from carriers such as UPS, DHL and FedEx. Allow more time, complete a customs declaration and check the destination's rules and any duties.
Can I track and insure a bike?
Yes. Every booking includes tracking, and you can add cover to match the bike's value. Keep your proof of posting and a photo of the packed box in case you need to claim.
Ready when you are
Compare prices to send a bike now
Two postcodes and the box size is all it takes, from £14.38 with VAT included.
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