Hi there Singaporean friend....
Please read my posting that I published below in the same forum thread or,
if you like, this is our Facebook account, we can chat real-time there:
Vedett Mototours | Facebook

We are based in Bangkok.

Best regards,

Frank VEDETT /////

Quick update on the current situation, even though my information are not so solid yet, they might help others or help us get more info in return.

Two bikers from Germany and Switzerland and me are currently in KL and trying to figure out how to cross over to Indonesia from Port Klang. We got the contact of two local guys working at the harbour who act as agent to help bikers do so.

They are:
Mr. Nazz <don't have the no right now>
Mr. Eddy +60 163793428

The only ferry there big enough to take on bikes is reported as damaged since few days. Therefore the other two also look into bringing the bikes over in cargo boxes or even a container.

However, from what I know from Frank, there was one biker who already managed to use that ferry to Tanjung Balai, but spent one day dealing with customs even with carnet. I guess it's better to get the invitation letter from IMI (contact me for more info). Frank himself had to take a break from his tour and did not cross yet.

Other bikers planing to cross over soon or have more information?
I will give an update once there is progress in some way.

Hi,

I'm in Jakarta now and trying to figure out how to get the bike to Malaysia. Does anyone have any new info?

The Port Klang(Kuala Lumpur) to Tanjung Balai (Sumatra) ferry option sounds the best, but I'd hate to get stuck if it really isn't something that can be done.

Thanks everyone,
David

__________________
DRad
http://gsguy.wordpress.com

Hi David...

I have seen that you are in Jakarta and would like to know how to ship your bike to Malaysia from Sumatra...correct?
Anyway...as I said earlier Belawan/Penang or Penang/Belawan is not in operation anymore so, there seem to be other options from Port Klang/Tanjung Balai and vice-versa but a Malaysian friend of ours, Mr Burn, (who recently did that crossing from PK to TB) got quite a few hassles with several people at TB even with a Carnet. He was very furious when I exchanged information with him last week and said that if he knew it before he would have chosen to ship his bike from Peninsula Malaysia to Kuching(Borneo, Sarawak) ...in order to cross the Malay/Indo border there and reach Pontianak in Kalimantan and...subsequently ship his bike to Jakarta. So, quite a long way if he were to go for the second option, but probably less complicated in terms of custom clearance.

HOWEVER, please before you decide which way to go, make very well sure that you get all the proper information.
Things are getting rather tough in recent weeks and we believe that this is so cause some people involved with this kind of bikes transportation are 'smelling good profits' and want to get advantage from it. Fair enough perhaps but with very annoying consequences for us bikers.

Please try to get in contact with my Malaysian friend, Mr Burn,
who is currently on Java(I believe) and who will ride to Sumatra and ship his bike back to Port Klang Malaysia.

Here is his email and Facebook account, ...tell him that you know me, Mr Franco VEDETT

abukamarudin@yahoo.com.sg and/or
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=841137903

Hope he will give you some valuable information on how to do what you need to.

Best of luck and let me/us know what will happen after....

Regards,

Frank V

nowthen, mr lims onion boat is still in operating from indo (belawan) to penang (malaysia)
or it was 10 days ago when we used it.
you will find more info in the trip trasport section.
cheers ,ben

Hi,

I just got an e-mail from Mr. Lim and he said going to Malaysia should still be okay, but coming into Indonesia is no longer possible without a container boat.

I am in Dumai right now and so far the Customs/Navy/Coast Guard have been nice (I think) in trying to help me, but the captains haven't wanted to ship my bike. I get the feeling that someone smelt money in the air and the captains don't want to get involved since there aren't enough bikes coming across to make a business out of it and once the powers that be know you ship bikes they'll always be on the lookout for you. So, even if you aren't carrying a bike you'll be more likely to be stopped or checked which probably means some money changing hands no matter what.

I'll keep HUBB updated with what happens here, but so far it seems like it's going to be a bust. I'll also confirm if the Belawan to Penang route is still operating and if they expect it to keep doing so.

I guess if it was easy, everyone would do it... Wait a sec- aren't they now?!

__________________
DRad
http://gsguy.wordpress.com

Update....

Dumai is a no go. The place is locked up with Customs/Coast Guard/Navy all acting nice, but taking enough bribes that the captains of various boats won't touch a bike. I was staying with and English teacher and he took me around and did translation and he was enven disgusted with what was happening.

I'm in Belawan right now and am set to go with Mr. Lim to Penang on Monday (missed this weeks boat). They won't take a bike to Indonesia, but will to Malaysia. However, even that way they say that they are having more and more problems with customs wanting extra money. I'll update on the tolal cost when I find out, but it really seems like someone smelt money and is squeezing the shippers/captains. So far they say the Belawan-Penang route will stay open, but it could change, as well, they only are doing one boat a week now instead of two because of 'problems with customs/coast guard'.

__________________
DRad
http://gsguy.wordpress.com

Me and another biker could ship from Malaysia to Indonesia in Mai 2012 at reasonable costs without much hassle.
Now I also shipped my bike back with Mr. Lim from Belawan to Penang in July 2012.

I made a detailed write-up about both crossings with everything one needs to know. Contact me for it by private message.
Guess it's better not to put in here, especially as the one going to Indonesia is a bit unusal. The folks at the port start strolling around you like cats around a fisherman with dollar signs in their eyes. And everything changes so quick with Indonesia where everyone wants a piece of the cake. So I'm afraid that link will break just as Penang to Belawan with putting all info online.

But please share your experience here if you made it.

Any info regarding this topic would be helpful as I am going this way towards the end of 2012, could you send me a pm?. Thanks

Hey,

good news for everyone trying to ship a bike from Malaysia to Indonesa, very recently Mr. Lim's company started to ship from Penang/Malaysia to Medan/Indonesia again, countless bikers have used his service before
and he knows what he's doing. Good guy!
You can contact him at cakrashipping@gmail.com or +60 124709717

Office is at:

CAKRA ENTERPRISE , 2ND FLOOR, 187 LEBUH PANTAI, GEORGETOWN, PENANG. Tel: +6042625879

The charges now are Rp700,000 in Belawan and RM 550 for Penang.


I attached a PDF where I wrote down all the details about going from Malaysia to Indonesia and vice versa with a bike (May/July 2012), worth a look. However since Mr Lim is now operating in both ways again, the info about using the passenger ferry from Port Klang is no longer up-to-date.

Good luck and keep other bikers updated here!

Martin

Attached Files

Malaysia-Indonesia-Bike-crossing.pdf (505.0 KB, 4680 views)

Great so I dont have to send your PDF arround anymore...

cheers mate!

__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com

Thanks for the update - this is good news/timing for me as I am planning to get my bike from Malaysia to Sumatra next week if possible! UK registered bike with Carnet. I'll report back when/if I succeed!

Cheers

GOOD NEWS I AM SENDING MAY BIKE NEXT WEAK IFF POSIBOL SAVE A LONG DRIVE DONE TO GEAT A BOAT TO BATAM AND ONE TO SINGAPORE PLANING TO GEAT TO BELAWAN ONE THURSDAY NEXT WHEAK WHAS TOLD BUY A FRIND THEAR IS A HOTEL CLOSE THE THE COUSTOM HOUSE IN THE HARBOUR WHIL BEA CAMPING AOUT T5HEAR

There is a cheap chinese hotel in Love Lane (Pin Seng Hotel). Its a bit back off the road close to the 7/11 at the corner. They have a garage for your bike and a fan room without bathroom costs only 25 R. A couple of weird people around, but fun.

Does anyone knows if Mr.Lim is also able to ship a car (Toyota Landcruiser) from Malaysia to Sumatra?