Shipping a kite

zohebhajiyani · Since 15 Aug 2011 3 Posts United States Kook

Hi guys,

Just wondering, what is the best way to ship a kite and board? UPS just gave me an estimate for $150!

Thanks!

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

I have had slightly better luck with FedEx Ground, but not much. Shipping boards is expensive.

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

I would go with FedEx Ground also. Get a FedEx account , its free and gives you a discount.

Buy a bag that is padded and designed for travel.

Like this one : http://www.dakine.com/p/kite/kite-bags/bts-bag

Then take all the stuff off board like foot straps, and fins. Wrap board in wetsuits towels and put in bag. Remove kite from backpack bag it came in (worthless) and place in bag with board.
Now you will have a wheeled kite bag with all your shit in it at your destination.
Zip shut and deliver to FedEx location nearby since they wont come get ground shipments.
There are tons more FedEx shipping locations than there are UPS ones since FedEX is also the old Kinkos.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, e

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

Find a bro at a business that ships a lot of stuff and get them to do it for you. Their rates are way better than yours. Don't take it to the UPS store or FedEx Kinkos since they will charge you full rates. The list rates between carriers are basically identical.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 597 Posts Addicted

im just guessing here, but it sounds like they didn't get a good package for the measurement. maybe they got the dimensions and just plugged it into whatever box size they'd have that would fit it? I've shipped lots, and it has never been much at all. But, involving boards, you have to fabricate your own box. probably 2 packages will save you the most. The cost is the weight, the amount of space it takes up on the truck, then of course destination. do all of the other stuff to get it protected in the box, but get the box size down as much as you can. Kite im sure will fit in a little box, probably stuff pads/straps/fins/etc in that box. Then make a very form fitting box for the board. Bet you'll be looking at $50'ish for all after that. If this isn't the case, post up and say so. im interested in the solution for this

Nak · Wed Sep 07, 11 8:52 am

Agreed, get the size of the box down as much as possible, especially length. Take off the fins and straps and ship them in a separate box from the board, with the kite maybe. You want the Length + width + depth measurement to be as small as you can get. Compress the hell out of the kite to make that box as small as you can. Two smaller boxes cost less to ship than one big box. If you have a buddy in the travel industry, they may be able to ship it at a discount.

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Only use USPS. I used to sell kites on e-bay for a living, you will come in at least half price over UPS or Fedex. The most I ever paid for shipping a kite was to France, and it was only 120! The most you can pay on ground for one kite is about 35 dollars anywhere in the US. Plus insurance is super cheap. One time I sold a kite for 250, insured it for 500 and made 250 dollars when it was lost. It is the way to go.

novocaine · Since 23 Sep 2010 79 Posts Kennewick, wa

I have shipped some LARGE boxes via Greyhound for MUCH less than shipping other methods. If there is a bus depot near you and the receiver, you can save some bank this way, too.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

One time I got a kite shipped from someone who put it in a re-used cut-down box from some appliance.
The problem (for him) was that when he cut down the box, he didn't cross out the pre-printed dimensions on the box. So the shipping employee entered wht was printed on the box instead of measuring, paid $75 to ship a "12x24x30" box that was actually more like 12x18x8. I got them to measure the box when I later re-used it myself, it went for ~$25.

Jackal · Since 17 Dec 2005 147 Posts WS Stoked

I just shipped a board via UPS using my corporate account. It was only $16! Get a box that fits it as close as possible and find a friend that works for a big company with either fed ex or UPS access. You can still use your CC.