Wheels and rims are bought and sold everyday. The process of buying a set of wheels and rims is easy, since it involves a simple financial transaction. However, shipping a set of wheels requires wrapping the wheel's and tires with round pieces of cardboard and then wrapping them with shipping wrap and tape to ensure they arrive in good shape.
Measure the width and diameter of the wheels and tires. This will vary depending on the wheel and tire package and can be anything from 18 inches to over 25 inches in diameter. The width will range from around 7 to 14 inches on wide wheels and tires.
Purchase enough separate pieces of cardboard to make circular pieces of cardboard that are larger in diameter than the diameter of the tires. Boxes purchased from a shipping store or from a company that rents moving vans and equipment will work.
Lay the wheel and tires on the cardboard and trace the outer circumference of the tire with a marker and then cut out the shape with a box knife. You will need two pieces for each wheel, so if you are shipping four wheels, that's eight round pieces of cardboard.
Place a round cardboard piece on each side of the wheel and then tape the pieces of cardboard to the wheels by wrapping the tape around the entire circumference of the wheels and tires. Place packing material between the two wheels, if desired. Make sure the cardboard protects the entire face of the wheel to prevent it from becoming scratched. The cardboard piece should be larger than the tire so that it bends over onto the flat surface of the tire. Do this with each wheel and tire.
Place two wheels and tires together with the sides of the wheels that face out from the car facing each other. This will prevent the visible side of the wheel from being scratched. Tape the two wheels together with shipping tape, wrapping the tape around the both wheels multiple times. Repeat for the other pair of wheels so that you have two separate "packages."
Wrap the pair of wheels with plastic shipping wrap, which is available from shipping and packing stores. The wrap will stick to itself as you wrap it around the wheels and tires. Cover the entire surface of the wheels and tires. Wrap shipping tape around the wrap, crossing over the tire and the cardboard circles that are protecting the wheels. Repeat for the other pair of wheels.
Print out a shipping label and affix it to the cardboard or to the flat surface of the tire with shipping tape. Ensure the label is completely secured with shipping tape. Take the wheels to the shipper of your choice. Shop around, since some shippers can be more affordable than others.
