Shipping an E bike from UK to Thailand.

[Asquith Production]

As anybody done this or know how it can be done? The problem is the lithium Ion batteries which cannot be taken as carry on aboard an aircraft unless they are very  small capacity.  Cargo ship seems the only way. I have tried Google but its not been very helpful with companies who can assist. Any ideas?

 

I could sell but ir was expensive  and I cannot buy the same here.

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

As anybody done this or know how it can be done? The problem is the lithium Ion batteries which cannot be taken as carry on aboard an aircraft unless they are very  small capacity.  Cargo ship seems the only way. I have tried Google but its not been very helpful with companies who can assist. Any ideas?

 

I could sell but ir was expensive  and I cannot buy the same here.

Could ship the battery separate, via air cargo.  Might, probably will require a HAZMAT declaration & approval.  Haven't a clue who would do that, though guessing any air freight agent near the airport could inform what's needed.

 

Where are you located ?  If Krung Thep, then I might be able to find out the info for you, I think.   

[Asquith Production]

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Could ship the battery separate, via air cargo.  Might, probably will require a HAZMAT declaration & approval.  Haven't a clue who would do that, though guessing any air freight agent near the airport could inform what's needed.

 

Where are you located ?  If Krung Thep, then I might be able to find out the info for you, I think.   

I am in Issan

[KhunLA]

8 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

I am in Issan

Can't help there.  Wife's friend owns a freight forwarding company at Krung Thep.

 

Good Luck.   Curious, what V & size - Ah is the battery, and brand.  Does it have a proprietary connector ?

[Brock]

The import duties will be very high more than likely, and with the hassles of dealing with shipping/ customs, would it be worth it??

Cut your losses, sell the  bike in the UK and get something similar locally.

 

[Iamemjay]

Yes. I've done it to import an ebike conversion kit. I used a company in London who specialise in these types of deliveries. Very ezxpensive because of issues with the lithium battery but yes, possible. Shipping was £380 and import duty was 5800B. It could only be delivered to the Bangkok or Chonburi areas so I had to arrange someone to receive it there and forward it on to me in the far North. 

 

If you want more details, feel free to mssg me privately. 

[Asquith Production]

14 minutes ago, Iamemjay said:

Yes. I've done it to import an ebike conversion kit. I used a company in London who specialise in these types of deliveries. Very ezxpensive because of issues with the lithium battery but yes, possible. Shipping was £380 and import duty was 5800B. It could only be delivered to the Bangkok or Chonburi areas so I had to arrange someone to receive it there and forward it on to me in the far North. 

 

If you want more details, feel free to mssg me privately. 

P.M sent thanks

[BritManToo]

Just buy one here then no problems.

Got mine from Bangkok ebikes for 34kbht, they'll built whatever you want.

What's special about yours, thought the UK was limited to 250w!

Edited September 12 by BritManToo

[Asquith Production]

56 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Just buy one here then no problems.

Got mine from Bangkok ebikes for 34kbht, they'll built whatever you want.

What's special about yours, thought the UK was limited to 250w!

Well I already have an E bike in UK so it would mean selling it.on and taking a big hit. It looks like I can get the batteries over at a reasonable price.  The bike is a Riese and Muller, German  made not cheap.

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

Well I already have an E bike in UK so it would mean selling it.on and taking a big hit. It looks like I can get the batteries over at a reasonable price.  The bike is a Riese and Muller, German  made not cheap.

Legal 250w motor or more powerful and illegal?

Edited September 12 by BritManToo

[Asquith Production]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Legal 250w motor or more powerful and illegal?

It's 250 watt UK legal. I don't want an e bike that goes as fast as a scooter.  I enjoy getting exercise out of it as well.  Many of the e bikes here have dodgy controllers and even more dodgy batteries that I would never leave near my house. 

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

It's 250 watt UK legal. I don't want an e bike that goes as fast as a scooter.  I enjoy getting exercise out of it as well.  Many of the e bikes here have dodgy controllers and even more dodgy batteries that I would never leave near my house. 

Done 1500km on mine, when do you think it will blow up?

500w rear hub motor, 15ah@48v battery (Panasonic 18650 cells)

[Asquith Production]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Done 1500km on mine, when do you think it will blow up?

500w rear hub motor, 15ah@48v battery (Panasonic 18650 cells)

I am not saying it will. Enjoy it. I will enjoy mine.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Asquith Production said:

It's 250 watt UK legal. I don't want an e bike that goes as fast as a scooter.  I enjoy getting exercise out of it as well.  Many of the e bikes here have dodgy controllers and even more dodgy batteries that I would never leave near my house. 

As with everything, simply buy one with quality specs & components.  That's why you purchased the one you did.  Use the BkkBike link as a guide to specs & prices locally.

 

250w seems a bit under spec'd for me.  Mine is 1000w, and probably over spec'd, and surely affects my range, as 500w with same battery would probably give me more range.  As of yet, haven't needed more range.

Edited September 12 by KhunLA

[DTL2014]

i have  shipped an e bike  3 times - but now you have send battery separately- UPS  has been recommended to me - i think they have special cointainers for the battery

[Asquith Production]

Just now, DTL2014 said:

i have  shipped an e bike  3 times - but now you have send battery separately- UPS  has been recommended to me - i think they have special cointainers for the battery

Yes, from what I've read that is the case. 

[pacovl46]

There are special containers for lithium batteries. A friend of mine has them for his RC cars and planes. That way he can safely store them in his garage.  I'm not sure, if there's an option for e-bike batteries in that regard, too, but that's probably what it takes to get it shipped. Alternatively you might be able to sell the battery pack in Thailand and get a new one back home.

 

I would just call DHL and ask them or send them ab email. 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, Asquith Production said:

Yes, from what I've read that is the case. 

 

Post back what you decide, how much it costs, and how it works out.  That would be good info.

 

I cringe when I see "UPS" in the same paragraph as "international".  But it's been awhile since I got butthurt.  Things may have changed, especially after the Covid recession.

 

[KhunLA]

5 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

There are special containers for lithium batteries. A friend of mine has them for his RC cars and planes. That way he can safely store them in his garage.  I'm not sure, if there's an option for e-bike batteries in that regard, too, but that's probably what it takes to get it shipped. Alternatively you might be able to sell the battery pack in Thailand and get a new one back home.

 

I would just call DHL and ask them or send them ab email. 

I read it the same way .... he's shipping UK to TH, but agree, might consider selling battery there, and buying new here, if possible.   Though suspect very proprietary connector, and could be an issue.

 

UPS ... may be in for some heavy price shock, and then hit again when it arrives, as was the case for me one time, and took quite a lot to sort it out.  I'd never use any of the 'known' folks; fed ex, dhl, ups as just silly priced.

[arick]

Why would you sell it in the UK and buy one here for a fraction of the price.

[Asquith Production]

2 hours ago, arick said:

Why would you sell it in the UK and buy one here for a fraction of the price.

I don't want to sell in UK if I can help it,hence my question about bringing it here

[KhunLA]

2 hours ago, Asquith Production said:

I don't want to sell in UK if I can help it, hence my question about bringing it here

Only you can answer that question, if it's worth selling & buying here, or shipping.  I get it though.  I really like my Schwinn bike, so I converted it.  Hindsight, for different reasons, I should have left well enough alone, and simple bought an ebike here, especially after @BritManToo's successful purchase with BkkBike, as that's who I was looking at to buy at.

 

They give you the option for better spec'd battery if wanting.  The only real  question mark, that I had.  At the time I thought they were pricey, now know it's simple the market price for quality.

 

If you really like your bike that much, yes, keep it.  Depending how long you've had it, you may even consider buying another battery for it, before shipping it.   Weigh the cost of shipping from maker to TH vs cost of new one here.   

 

Depending on proprietary connection of same.  Age of battery, as 18650s are so yesterday    Even the one I have, made with 21700s have been improved, I think, with 26650s.  Even saw one 32XXX, though didn't read much about it, as not nearly ready to upgrade.

 

Consider Thai roads are not as friendly, and you may want a better suspension, even fatter tires, depending on you use of.

 

Since you are already here, I'd pop into BkkBike and check them out, before making a decision.

 

Happy shopping or shipping.

Edited September 13 by KhunLA

[Asquith Production]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Only you can answer that question, if it's worth selling & buying here, or shipping.  I get it though.  I really like my Schwinn bike, so I converted it.  Hindsight, for different reasons, I should have left well enough alone, and simple bought an ebike here, especially after @BritManToo's successful purchase with BkkBike, as that's who I was looking at to buy at.

 

They give you the option for better spec'd battery if wanting.  The only real  question mark, that I had.  At the time I thought they were pricey, now know it's simple the market price for quality.

 

If you really like your bike that much, yes, keep it.  Depending how long you've had it, you may even consider buying another battery for it, before shipping it.   Weigh the cost of shipping from maker to TH vs cost of new one here.   

 

Depending on proprietary connection of same.  Age of battery, as 18650s are so yesterday    Even the one I have, made with 21700s have been improved, I think, with 26650s.  Even saw one 32XXX, though didn't read much about it, as not nearly ready to upgrade.

 

Consider Thai roads are not as friendly, and you may want a better suspension, even fatter tires, depending on you use of.

 

Since you are already here, I'd pop into BkkBike and check them out, before making a decision.

 

Happy shopping or shipping.

Thanks for your thoughts. I do like my bike in the UK and someone as responded that they have had batteries shipped so I will try and find out the costs.

[arick]

4 hours ago, Asquith Production said:

I don't want to sell in UK if I can help it,hence my question about bringing it here

You will pay a huge VAT charge on it that is why!

[pacovl46]

On 9/12/2024 at 3:43 PM, KhunLA said:

I read it the same way .... he's shipping UK to TH, but agree, might consider selling battery there, and buying new here, if possible.   Though suspect very proprietary connector, and could be an issue.

 

UPS ... may be in for some heavy price shock, and then hit again when it arrives, as was the case for me one time, and took quite a lot to sort it out.  I'd never use any of the 'known' folks; fed ex, dhl, ups as just silly priced.

If the bike has any of the convential motors and batteries, i.e. Bosch, Shimano, Brose etc. finding the right battery won't be an issue. 

[KhunLA]

41 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

If the bike has any of the convential motors and batteries, i.e. Bosch, Shimano, Brose etc. finding the right battery won't be an issue. 

Battery specs wouldn't be the problem, but the connection definitely will be, if this is their standard battery.  Very proprietary connection.   

 

I had not problem swapping to XT60 connections to the controller, on my DIY ebike, from a generic battery I bought.  This would be a challenge ...

Edited September 14 by KhunLA

[Liverpool Lou]

On 9/13/2024 at 11:19 AM, arick said:

On 9/13/2024 at 6:41 AM, Asquith Production said:

I don't want to sell in UK if I can help it,hence my question about bringing it here

You will pay a huge VAT charge on it that is why!

7% is "huge"?

[BritManToo]

55 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

7% is "huge"?

7% on a $6000 ebike would be $500, more than I'd want to give away in tax.

[Furioso]

My neighbor left his e-bike in Germany then came over here and decided he wanted an e-bike here. He went to Cadence in Jomtien and bought a very nice Trek e-bike(Rail 9.9?) for 200,000 baht. It was slightly used but you can't tell as it looks brand new. 

 

I believe it sells for over 400,000 baht new so he got a great deal. 

 

I was not a believer in e-bikes until he let me ride it and My God! it's by far the best bike I ever rode. He has all sorts of toys so he never rides it just sits in the parking lot near his high end scooters..it drives me mad!

Edited September 14 by Furioso

[Asquith Production]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

7% on a $6000 ebike would be $500, more than I'd want to give away in tax.

Probably lose more than 500 if I sold it in UK