Shipping an Exhaust System — safely packed, transported insured
With Logisticoo you can ship an exhaust system safely and with a fixed-price quote in 30 minutes — from a single rear silencer to a complete stainless-steel exhaust system for classic cars or commercial vehicles. The challenge rarely lies in the weight: a car rear box weighs 5 to 15 kg, while a complete system with catalytic converter and pipework runs to 25 to 40 kg. What is critical is the bulk — exhaust systems are often 1.5 to well over 2 metres long, thin-walled, and dent easily under point loads. Chrome-plated tailpipes and ceramic catalytic converters are also sensitive to impact. That is why we prefer to carry exhaust systems palletised on long-goods pallets or as a part load in a Sprinter van, rather than exposing them to the parcel belt. Your personal dispatcher clarifies the collection and delivery details — including workshop-to-workshop or private-to-commercial. Collection is usually possible the next day in 147 German cities, and by express direct transport even on the same day on request. We handle used systems just as readily as brand-new manufacturer goods, with photo documentation at handover on request.
Packaging & load securing
We secure exhaust systems lying flat on a pallet at their original length, cushioned with foam at the support points and fixed with soft textile straps rather than steel banding directly on the pipe. Sensitive tailpipes and flanges are wrapped separately in bubble wrap, and catalytic converters are given additional edge protection. On the load bed, securing is carried out with a tight, positive fit in accordance with VDI 2700, so that nothing slips or resonates.
What matters
- State the length precisely — over 2 m the consignment counts as long goods and needs the appropriate pallet
- Remove lambda sensors and add-on parts or pack them separately, as they break at the thread
- Drain and roughly clean used systems beforehand (condensation, soot)
- Wrap chrome and stainless-steel surfaces against scratches, not just against breakage
- For classic-car systems, arrange photo documentation at collection
Or call us directly: +49 30 346 467 850
Length over kilos — which packaging your exhaust system needs
With exhaust systems, it is not the weight but the length that determines the mode of transport. A rear silencer tips the scales at 5 to 15 kg, a complete system with catalytic converter and pipework at 25 to 40 kg, and commercial-vehicle systems more. Up to around 2.4 m we carry them lying flat on a long-goods pallet, which travels cheaply as general cargo or a part load. Special lengths over 2.4 m — such as sports exhaust systems or classic-car pipe sets — are handled by a Sprinter van with 3 to 4.5 m of load length as a direct transport. For workshops and dealers we bundle several systems onto mesh pallets. A truck is virtually never used, because the weight is low but the volume is bulky.
Load securing of thin-walled pipes per VDI 2700
Exhaust pipes are thin-walled and dent immediately under point loads — the most common cause of damage in the parcel network. We lay the system down over its full surface, cushion the support points with foam and fix it with soft textile straps rather than with steel banding directly on the pipe. Chrome-plated tailpipes, flanges and ceramic catalytic converters are wrapped individually in bubble wrap, and the edges are protected separately. On the load bed the pallet is stowed with a tight, positive fit in accordance with VDI 2700, so that the long unit does not resonate or shift. When several systems are combined, intermediate layers separate each pipe — metal never rests unprotected on metal.
How to ship an exhaust system with Logisticoo
- You tell us the component, exact length, weight and the collection and destination points.
- We select a long-goods pallet or Sprinter direct transport and give you the fixed-price quote in 30 minutes.
- The system is prepared cleaned, drained and cooled down, with tailpipes and catalytic converter padded separately.
- Collection in one of 147 cities, workshop-to-workshop or from a private address on request.
- Secured transport per VDI 2700 with no handling on the direct transport.
- Delivery within a notified time slot, with photo documentation on request for classic-car parts. Your personal dispatcher also coordinates sensitive handovers between businesses.
What does it cost to ship an exhaust?
You receive a fixed price up front. As a guide, use the per-kilometre rules of thumb (±15%): Sprinter van around €1.10/km (from €89), with larger consignments graded accordingly. A single rear silencer travels cheaply as a part load as an individual item — on short routes the minimum price of €89 applies. A complete stainless-steel system by Sprinter direct transport from Hamburg to Frankfurt (around 490 km) comes to roughly €1.10/km, so about €540. Cost drivers are special lengths over 2.4 m, which force a direct transport, as well as tight deadlines for workshop repairs. For accessory dealers with regular shipments we set up fixed rates.
Exhaust consignment, vehicle and loading
| Length / weight | Example | Vehicle | Loading |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 1.2 m / 5–15 kg | Rear silencer, centre pipe | Part load / general cargo | manual |
| up to 2.4 m / 25–40 kg | Complete car exhaust system | Long-goods pallet, Sprinter van | manual |
| over 2.4 m | Sports exhaust, classic-car pipe set | Sprinter direct transport (3–4.5 m) | manual |
| several systems | Workshop/dealer batch | Mesh pallet, general cargo/part load | Pallet truck |
Shipping options compared
| Shipping option | When it makes sense | Transit time | Cost level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part load | one system, flexible on timing, cost-focused | a few days (consolidated run) | cheapest option |
| Part load (LTL) | several systems or a mesh pallet | 1–2 days | medium |
| Direct transport (Sprinter van) | special length >2.4 m or urgent | same/next day, no handling | km-based, from €89 |
| Express direct transport | workshop appointment, immediate | a few hours | higher, but immediate |
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a complete exhaust system more than 2 metres long?
Yes. Systems up to about 2.4 m are carried on long-goods or double pallets, while longer custom pieces travel as a part load or by direct transport in a Sprinter van with 3 to 4.5 m of load length. State the exact length when you enquire and your fixed price will be ready in 30 minutes.
Is a used exhaust with residual soot a problem during transport?
No, used systems are standard. They should simply be cooled down, drained and roughly cleaned so that neither the packaging nor other cargo gets soiled. A dry old exhaust does not constitute dangerous goods.
What does it cost to ship an exhaust system?
As a part load, a single system is an affordable individual item; on short routes the minimum price of €89 applies. We calculate a Sprinter direct transport from around €1.10/km (±15%); Hamburg–Frankfurt therefore comes to about €540. The length and postcodes are all we need — you receive the fixed price in 30 minutes.
Can you transport chrome-plated tailpipes scratch-free?
Yes. We wrap chrome and stainless-steel surfaces individually in cushioning material and never secure with strap tension directly on the visible pipe, but instead over padded support points. Tailpipes and trims travel with additional edge protection, so that even polished systems arrive without any scuff marks.
Do you also collect exhaust systems workshop-to-workshop?
Yes, that is a standard case. We drive business-to-business, private-to-commercial and vice versa, in 147 German cities and across Europe to 55 countries. For urgent repairs, express direct transport delivers with no handling on the same day.