Ship Surfboard FedEx (Can You Ship, Price, Steps + More)
Do you prefer to ride on the rails or fall into a barrel? Then you are most likely a surfer with a precious surfboard. Given that your surfboard allows you to catch waves, it makes sense that you do everything possible to protect it.
This is especially important if you need to ship boards. This article will tell you everything you need to know about shipping your surfboard through FedEx, including how to pack your surfboard and what shipping will set you back!
Shipping Surfboards FedEx in 2022
If the size of the surfboard is less than 9 feet, FedEx will ship the surfboard in 2022. Usually, this means that you can ship shortboards without difficulty, but longboards may need to be shipped through a freight company. Before punching, the boards should be wrapped in foam wrap and blankets with Styrofoam attached to the nose, tail and rails.
I have a lot more to share with you about shipping surfboards via FedEx, so be sure to check out the entire article!
Will FedEx ship surfboards?
Yes, FedEx can ship surfboards; however, the ability to do so depends on the length of the board.
In fact, FedEx’s maximum package size is 108 inches (9 feet) long or 165 inches long plus girth.
That said, most shortboard surfboards range from five feet to seven feet. Therefore, they are eligible for FedEx shipping because they are within size limitations.
However, longboards tend to be around 8 feet in length, so once the length of the box is factored in, they may be too long to ship with FedEx.
Because of these shipping restrictions, many surf shops use FedEx to ship shortboards, but use the shipping option for longboards.
Is it safe to ship surfboards via FedEx?
Here, the answer depends. That said, FedEx does its best to handle everything in its possession with care, but sometimes things go wrong.
This is especially true when it comes to surfboards. For example, they are made of fiberglass, which is very fragile.
Therefore, it is critical to carefully package your boards using a combination of bubble wrap, cardboard, and foam padding (more packaging tips in the next section).
In most cases, careful packaging is sufficient to keep the board safe in transit.
Still, despite your best efforts, your board may suffer some minor cosmetic damage in transit. Often, this damage can be repaired with some repairs at home.
However, if the box has extensive damage, please open it while the FedEx driver is still around. Then, explain the situation to the driver and refuse to ship if there is a lot of damage.
Additionally, doing so will result in the board being shipped back to the sender for repair, evaluation, or replacement.
How do I package my surfboard for shipping via FedEx?
As mentioned above, surfboards are very fragile and require careful packaging to keep them safe in transit.
Below, I provide some tips for packing boards for shipping. First, here are some of the materials you’ll need when packing your surfboard:
- A box that fits your board (electrical box or glue two boxes together)
- Filling materials (e.g., bubble wrap, foam, blankets)
- Bumper (eg, polystyrene)
- adhesive tape
- packaging tape
- permanent mark
Once the materials are assembled, follow the steps below to easily pack your surfboard.
1. Remove or protect the fins
If your board has removable heatsinks, take them out and wrap each in bubble wrap. On the other hand, if your board has glass heat sinks, cut a piece of cardboard to cover them.
2. Create a buffer layer
You need to buffer your board with at least three different layers. For example, use board socks or a padded board bag as the first layer to protect the board from scratches.
Then, use bubble wrap to create a second layer. That is, just wrap the bubble wrap around the board and secure it with tape.
Also, pay special attention to the railings, nose and tail as these are the most vulnerable areas.
Plus, blankets work well as a third layer by providing extra padding and protection. However, feel free to skip this step if adding extra weight would make shipping cost prohibitive.
3. Add extra padding, bumpers and stability
Create a bumper for your board by cutting two small polystyrene (styrofoam) strips and placing a rod on the top (nose) and bottom (tail) of the box.
Plus, polystyrene is lightweight, strong, and shock-resistant, which adds stability to your package and protects your boards from drops in transit.
4. Put the circuit board in the box and seal it
After packing the board, put it in the shipping box. Afterwards, fill the sides and any open spaces with bubble wrap or a towel to keep the planks from moving in the box.
When done, secure the box with packing tape. Then, use a permanent marker to write “Fragile” and “Up” on the top of the box.
While not guaranteed, it will help your case keep the rails facing up during shipping.
5. Attach your shipping label
In addition to the shipping label, please add your email and phone number in case the board gets lost.
How much does it cost to ship a surfboard via FedEx?
Surfboard shipping prices depend on the distance traveled, the shipping service chosen, the size of the board, and even current gas prices.
So, if you have a good idea of where your board goes, shipping times, and board size, using FedEx’s price calculator tool can help you get an accurate quote.
Without this information, I can only provide a rough estimate of surfboard shipping.
What’s more, prices seem to vary widely across surf shops, so these estimates may not be good.
Still, you can expect to pay about $95 to ship a board less than 8 feet through FedEx Ground. For Priority Shipping, expect to pay a minimum of $125.
To learn more about FedEx shipping, you can also read our posts on FedEx Reptile Shipping, FedEx Tire Shipping, and Average Clearance Delays in FedEx.
in conclusion
In many cases, FedEx can ship your surfboard as long as your surfboard and case are less than 9 feet in length.
Shipping surfboards carries some risk considering their fragility, but if you pack your surfboard carefully, it should come out intact.
