[turnsignalslol]

Hey guys, as the title states, I am trying to take advantage of the FCP Euro lifetime warranty by returning my old oil and filter. However, I tried fitting 7 BMW TPT 0W-30 bottles and a Mann Filter in a USPS large flat rate box and it wasn't able to fit. I also didn't know that you needed to double seal the oil bottles with two plastic bags so that will take up even more space. Furthermore, the lady at the USPS store told me that used motor oil is "HAZMAT" so I am not able to ship it. I have sources online (including Blackstone) that say otherwise but I am not sure how to continue.

TL : DR - What is the cheapest (and legal) way of shipping used motor oil back to FCP Euro?

Thanks!

[Altra]

It wasn't cheap, but I used UPS, think it was like $40-50 to ship it back. Dropped all the bottles into a trash bag and used the same shipping box that FCP used.

[E90convert]

I just put all the stuff back in the same box that FCP ships the product in. A couple months ago it cost me $17 to ship an oil change from OH to CT using the UPS online shipping tool.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by Altra

It wasn't cheap, but I used UPS, think it was like $40-50 to ship it back. Dropped all the bottles into a trash bag and used the same shipping box that FCP used.

Honestly, is it even worth all the trouble if it's going to cost that much?

[CTSean]

It's not hazmat.

go here https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_022.htm#ep898952

print this

343.24 Mailable Flammable and Combustible Liquids

The following are mailable:

f. Fuel Oil (NA1993) is a flammable liquid that normally has a flashpoint below 100° F (38° C). The specific flashpoint must be accurately identified by the mailer before a mailability determination can be made. Fuel oil is mailable if it can qualify as a Limited Quantity surface material and is sent within the quantity limitations and packaging requirements stated in 343.21 or 343.22, as applicable. Mailpieces must be prepared following Packaging Instruction 3A or 3B in Appendix C.

Also this https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_022.htm#ep909960

Exhibit 343.22 (there's a table here but it pastes terribly)

Above 200°F (93°C)

The material is not regulated as a hazardous material. Such nonregulated materials must be properly and securely packaged to prevent leakage under the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.3.4.

the flashpoint of any oil is going to over 200* F

edit - even better - Blackstone already did the work - just print this https://www.blackstone-labs.com/postal-letter/

[carchrism5]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

Honestly, is it even worth all the trouble if it's going to cost that much?

Not anymore, I live 30 miles from them and I don't even bother because their service has gone downhill. Shipping oil costs as much as it is worth in a return (which is now only store credit).

[MSH_]

Try using Shipnerd or Pirate Ship. I sold a ton of parts from my Golf R a couple of months back after selling the car and the difference in shipping cost on Shipnerd vs direct UPS/FedEx pricing was substantial

[jefe2000]

This is very timely. I’m just a couple months out from my first attempt at this as well. And I kept the original box that FCP Euro used to ship out the oil change kit.

If the info above from the USPS T&Cs don’t work out, I also have half a mind to try to use the BMWCCA FedEx discount. 25% off FedEx Ground sounds pretty good:
https://www.partnership.com/micro-site/fedex/bmwcca I haven’t yet researched whether FedEx would accept a shipment of used oil, though.

[to_riffic]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

This is very timely. I’m just a couple months out from my first attempt at this as well. And I kept the original box that FCP Euro used to ship out the oil change kit.

If the info above from the USPS T&Cs don’t work out, I also have half a mind to try to use the BMWCCA FedEx discount. 25% off FedEx Ground sounds pretty good:
https://www.partnership.com/micro-site/fedex/bmwcca I haven’t yet researched whether FedEx would accept a shipment of used oil, though.

Didn't realize FedEx partnered with BMWCCA! Will have to give that a try soon.

[CTSean]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

This is very timely. I’m just a couple months out from my first attempt at this as well. And I kept the original box that FCP Euro used to ship out the oil change kit.

If the info above from the USPS T&Cs don’t work out, I also have half a mind to try to use the BMWCCA FedEx discount. 25% off FedEx Ground sounds pretty good:
https://www.partnership.com/micro-site/fedex/bmwcca I haven’t yet researched whether FedEx would accept a shipment of used oil, though.

Just box it up and don't tell them what's inside. When they ask the couple questions they usually ask - is it hazardous, prohibited, whatever -just say no, which is the truth based on their own rules. I've never had someone actually ask "what's in the box"

[MooMooM2]

I sent brake fluid a few months ago, much smaller box of course and I am lucky that I live pretty close but its a great deal, SRF is expensive and I think cost me less than $10 to ship it to to them.

Oil is definitely more annoying but I can't see how you not saving money, like someone said pirateship is amazing, they will choose the cheapest which for a bigger package is probably UPS, no way shipping will cost the same price as bunch of oil and oil filter.

[kthor703]

Definitely tend to use FedEx or UPS. Another tip is to bundle/batch your returns, to optimize the weight/volume for shipping. Helps to have multiple cars worth of product.

I have found its still worth the return in most cases, but definitely can be closer to a wash in SOME scenarios.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by CTSean

It's not hazmat.

go here https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_022.htm#ep898952

print this

343.24 Mailable Flammable and Combustible Liquids

The following are mailable:

f. Fuel Oil (NA1993) is a flammable liquid that normally has a flashpoint below 100° F (38° C). ...

[flashpoint] Above 200°F (93°C)

The material is not regulated as a hazardous material. Such nonregulated materials must be properly and securely packaged to prevent leakage under the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.3.4.

the flashpoint of any oil is going to over 200* F

Yes, agreed. I just found the SDS for BMW's TwinPower Turbo LL01FE 0W-30 oil: it states the flashpoint is well above 200ºF. See section 9 of the attached SDS. Section 14 (Transport Information) also states "Not regulated as a dangerous good" by the US Dept of Transportation.

I'll be doing an oil change in a couple weeks. This'll be the first oil I return to FCP Euro. For shipping the oil back to FCP Euro via USPS, I think I'm in a good spot with the above documentation.

[jefe2000]

I dropped off oil to return to FCP Euro at the local USPS branch today. It was a smooth experience. I purchased the ground shipping label online, answered no to the question about hazardous or flammable materials (which, by USPS’s own definitions, used motor oil is neither), marked the checkbox in the USPS Click’n’Ship web app that indicated my shipment contained plastic containers with a total of more than 1 gallon of liquid, paid the shipping fee, and affixed the shipping label to the box. It cost $30 all in, including shipping insurance.

I also shipped my UOA sample off to Blackstone Labs during the same trip to the local Post Office. The Post Office employee accepted both readily.

Overall, an easy shipping experience! Certainly, it was much easier and than I was fearing it would be. Now I’ll watch my FCP Euro account for the credit for the oil and filter purchase price.

[jefe2000]

My first ever used oil return to FCP Euro is complete! It was a pretty smooth process.

I purchased the USPS ground shipping label online. That was a very convenient option.

The USPS ground shippping cost $30 to send the 16 lb box with 7 liters of oil and the used filter from US West Coast to US East Coast. It was estimated to take a week to arrive, but ended up taking about 3 days.

FCP Euro has credited me for the used oil change kit I’d purchased back in the summer of 2022: