As electric vehicles grow in popularity due to global environmental awareness, more manufacturers and companies are looking to ship them internationally. Many customers have recently asked us, a package forwarding service provider, whether oversized electric vehicles can be shipped by air. Some freight forwarders say no—so what’s the truth? Can you really forward a parcel that large by air?
Thinking of Shipping an Oversized EV from China?
Let GeeseNest help you discuss the possible transportation plans.
Why Is Air Shipping Electric Vehicles So Difficult?
It mainly comes down to one issue: lithium batteries.
Electric vehicles contain high-capacity lithium batteries, which are classified as dangerous goods in aviation. Due to strict air transport regulations, most airlines do not allow lithium batteries on board. That makes shipping a full electric vehicle by air extremely challenging.
Are There Any Exceptions for Air Freight?
Yes, but only under specific conditions. If you still want to go by air, there are two possible methods:
- Use a dedicated cargo aircraft: If your destination city has full cargo flights, you might be able to ship the entire vehicle.
- Split the shipment: Remove the battery and ship the vehicle via air, while forwarding the battery by sea freight.
Is Splitting the Shipment Worth It?
You might wonder:
“If I need to split the shipment, wouldn’t it be easier to just send the entire electric vehicle by sea?”
That seems logical, but here’s the catch: Import duties for electric vehicles via sea freight can be surprisingly high in some countries.
In some cases, it’s actually cheaper and more efficient to split the shipment. You air freight the vehicle (without the battery) and forward the battery by sea. This approach can help you reduce customs fees and avoid unnecessary headaches.
This kind of china consolidation service—separating high-risk components and combining the rest for optimal delivery—illustrates the flexibility of modern logistics strategies.
Why Freight Forwarders Might Say No
Many freight forwarding companies claim they can handle dangerous or sensitive cargo. However, reality is more complicated:
- They are just agents for the airlines. Airlines still have the final say.
- Airlines typically don’t accept cargo directly, so you must work through agents.
- Some companies succeed because your route includes a cargo-only aircraft.
- Others might misdeclare the product to get it through—high risk and not reliable.
So when a freight forwarder says they can ship it, it doesn’t always mean it’s safe—or even legal.
Why Use a Package Forwarding Service Instead?
That’s where a dedicated package forwarding service really shines.
- Sensitive items? No problem. What traditional logistics can’t handle, package forwarders often can.
- Competitive pricing: In many cases, the forwarding cost is lower than regular air freight.
- Faster delivery: Time-sensitive shipments get an edge.
- All-in-one support: You ship the item to the forwarding warehouse. They take care of everything—unpacking, reinforcement, repacking, and shipping.
By combining this service with china consolidation logistics, you gain the advantages of grouping goods from multiple suppliers and customizing the transport method for each component.
Country Restrictions Still Apply
One final reminder:
Even though your package forwarding service can handle the shipment, destination countries may restrict electric vehicle imports. Be sure to check the specific import laws of the country you’re shipping to.
Can GeeseNest Ship Electric Vehicles?
As one of the more well-known package forwarding providers in China, GeeseNest offers china consolidation services that are transparent, reliable, and customized to your needs. When it comes to shipping electric vehicles, they assess each route, aircraft type, and destination restriction.
If no route can deliver to your country, they will notify you immediately that shipping is not possible. They never hide this information or mislead you into sending your goods to the warehouse unnecessarily. This level of honesty is one of the key reasons many customers choose GeeseNest.
Do you want to transport electric bikes?
Look for transportation routes on GeeseNest and talk to us.
Final Thoughts
Shipping electric vehicles by air is possible, but only under certain conditions.
- Whole vehicles usually can’t fly due to battery regulations.
- You might need to remove the battery and ship it separately.
- Always check your destination’s import policies.
When in doubt, work with a trusted package forwarding service that understands the regulations and offers comprehensive china consolidation services. It saves time, reduces costs, and gives you peace of mind.
