Does anyone have any contacts for motorcycle air shipping from KL to Auckland, New Zealand? I saw some old references to Thai Air Cargo so is that the only option and do I contact them (or other agency) for an advance quote?

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This is a really late reply so you've probably already shipped but try maskargo, Malaysian airlines. I flew mine with from kl to sydney and they had a daily flight so they'd most likely have a flight to Auckland.

Not too late. I'm in Bangkok and head to Malaysia next week. I have emailed MASKARGO but no response. How did you contact them - email or in person?

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My experience is not very recent, but I noticed back in the day, that freight handlers do not take e-mails very seriously at all. Was rare to even get an answer. Much better to call, or even better: visit them in person at the 1st opportunity, then they´ll know that you are for real, and might consider doing something to help you out.

I sent my MC from Chennai to BKK via KL with MASKargo in early 2008. Based on that experience, I would recommend them, and at least back then, they seemed to offer good prices. Needless to say, this has not been an easy year for Malaysia Airlines, though!

But I also think you may have to get a freight agent to handle the shipping for you. At least you´ll need somebody, who is certified to issue you the Dangerous Goods-certificate. Without that paper, your MC won´t get on a plane. Also do take into account the strict biosecurity rules, where you are sending to, especially what they say about the cleanliness requirements for used vehicles, and fumigation treatment for wooden crates (if you have to use such crate).

Thanks Pecha!!

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Just got a quote of $15,000 USD!!!! That's right - not a typo.

"delivered KLIA airport (our packing company) to arrival Auckland airport.Price includes crating, dangerous goods formalities, customs processing in Malaysia,
air freight and handling, etc.

All inclusive rate = RM 51529.50
Based on Singapore Airlines.
Crate will be trucked to Singapore and flown from there on Singapore Airlines freighter.
Trucks are not scheduled, so there may be a time lapse of a few days whilst they
consolidate sufficient cargo for the truck.

Price excludes all destination charges and insurance.

Unfortunately ex. Malaysia, the airlines charge full IATA rate for hazardous cargo, hence the price."

This can't be right?

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Doesn´t appear right to me.

In early 2008, I payed about 600 euros total, to send my DL650 by air from Chennai to BKK via Kuala Lumpur. Not nearly as far as NZ, and keep in mind it was a long time ago, but 15000 USD... just no way. Even sending your bike to fly around the planet should not cost that much!

I remember a thread here maybe 1-2 years ago, where someone had sent their similar motorcycle from KL to Amsterdam by air, uncrated (strapped on a pallet), and IIRC, it had cost in the region of 1200 euros. That´s in the ballpark, or thereabouts, and the distance is comparable too (..or what actually is the direct flight time to NZ, I would guess KL-Amsterdam is about 10-12 hours)? I take this from my hat right now, but I think I would not pay more than 2000 euros for Malaysia to NZ by air.

I noticed, that the trick is to find the right freight agent, who are both willing, AND ABLE to help you out. This can make all the difference, how your shipping goes, what it costs, etc. Sorry to say, but the sum quoted here seems to implicate, that whoever it is, that you are dealing with, does not know, what they are doing. And again sorry, but I am unable to say, what would be the right place to turn to in Malaysia. Did you already try to contact MASKargo directly? Also ask them, if they know of a freight agent, who have sent vehicles by airfreight before.

(And also I don´t get it, why bring the bike to KLIA airport, from where it would be trucked to Singapore airport? – if you insist on sending from Singapore, then ride to Johor Bahru, and work from there).

Good luck, and would be interesting to hear, how it works out for you!

Pecha, agree, ludicrous quote. The agent quoted from KL so unless something changed drastically he felt it had to go Singapore. I'm going to visit Maskargo when I get to KL and work from there.

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Just for reference: I´ve also sent my DL650 by air (using Quantas) from Bali, Indonesia to Perth, Australia in March 2008. But at least back then, the aircraft used on the direct Bali-Perth route was not large enough to fit the crate in, and there appeared to be no possibility to send uncrated, so this is why the shipment was routed Bali -> Melbourne -> Perth, and its total flight time, on two flights, was close to 10 hours. This ended up costing me about 1200 euros, thought it was a bit on the expensive side, but this was mostly because of that de-tour it had to make.

Well, I've just been through the whole process so below is a step-by-step process for arranging your own air shipment from Malaysia to New Zealand. I hope it helps others in future as it was a little frustrating figuring out all the moving parts the first time so I tried to document as much as possible (as of November 2014)!! (EDIT: Current as of November 2018 per Pip and Mouse update below).

1. Call MASKargo at +60387772017 (EDIT: +60387771610 per Pip and Mouse update below) to make a reservation for the bike. You'll need your dimensions and estimated weight. I recommend getting a Sunday or Monday ship date as the cargo area is less busy on the weekend days when you'll drop off (one day prior to ship date). They should provide you with an Air Bill Number.

2. The day prior to your reservation ship date, call MASKargo at +60387771888 and tell them you are dropping off the bike (Reference your Air Bill Number).

3. Make sure your bike has 1/4 tank of gas or less. Go to the MASKargo Day Pass Office at 2.732333,101.722288 with your passport and Air Bill Number at (parking lot to the east) to get a day pass. Enter and park in the parking lot to the Southeast. Office is up stairs on 2nd floor. They will give you an access badge and wrist bracelet and keep your passport as security (you get it back when you return the badge).

4. Proceed to the main "Cargo City" Security Gate at 2.734820, 101.720041 (look for the sign that shows the gate for "MOTOSIKAL" entry). Tell them you are dropping off your bike for shipment at "Core 1" (at least that is where I had to go to ship to NZ) and show your badge. Just after entry, take note of the Tall Customs Building (2.735028,101.719106) for Carnet Stamp on your right and the smaller building for VIN and Engine Number verification (2.734043,101.719117) across on the left. You'll be coming back here later to clear customs.

5. You'll come to a T-Junticon before what looks like an overpass - head to your right and under (2.734514,101.717808) the overpass (now on your left).

6. Proceed to the second securtity gate (2.733258,101.715923), park in the small parking lot before the gate and go into the small gate building to obtain another gate pass.

7. You're nearly there. Now proceed straight through the gate and follow the one-way road all around the perimeter clockwise. You'll see a MASKargo sign on a large warehouse (2.734841,101.712125) and the first loading dock is "Core 1." Park across the street out of the way by the other cars and then go up a few steps to an office on the right.

8. Once in the office, let them know your Air Bill number they'll get your bike weighed. My 2011 R1200GS weighed 296kg complete with riding gear (minus wife's helmet, tankbag and our clothes) but included camping gear and tools - not bad for 2-up!!!!! Once the bike is weighed you'll complete the forms and pay your money (they accept cask or credit cards (I used VISA). It wasn't clear if I had to pay for the equivalent volume weight of 500kg (which is why I wanted to decrease overall height) but the guy just charged me for the 296kg and it worked out to be approx $1250 USD for everything!!

9. If you don't have a Carnet (I had) then you'll need to go upstairs for an additional step/paperwork (they will show you or take you up there).

10. Now, ride your bike back (keep going clockwise one-way) to that tall Customs Building I referred to earlier. Remember this route as you will be walking out later after dropping off the bike.. Since it was a wekend i went to an office on the bottom floor (you'll need to ask) but apparently if it's a weekday then the process is done upstairs on the 6th floor.

You'll need to play it by ear. I had to go to one window (furthest on left end) after entering and then was sent to another window (not sure what was done at either window).

11. Now you need to ride your bike all the way across (20 metres?) to the smaller building where they will verify your VIN and Engine Number. The guy asked where he was supposed to annotate he inspected it so since I had no clue I had him document it on the back of the Departure/Export Carnet slip.

12. Now, back to the tall Customs Building and go back through the windows/desks in reverse and you should leave with a fully completed Carnet.

13. Return to Core 1 (or whatever Core Number you were processed at) and prep the bike off for shipment. I had already removed the windscreen to lower the height (from what I heard the maximum opening in the aircraft is 1.5 meters) but it may not have been necessary. I also offered to remove the mirrors but they said it was fine. I also, disconnected the positive battery lead and taped it up. MASKargo took it from there and I never saw it again until it arrives in Auckland, NZ tonight

(more on that later after I get it through NZ Customs).

14. Now, walk back out to the Cargo City Main Gate and you'll exit on foot by the pedestrian gate on the side of the tall customs building. Return your security badge to the Day Pass Office and retrieve your passport!! I then called a taxi to take me back to the hotel or wherever.

15. You can tract the status with your Air Bill Number at Air cargo tracking - track-trace. Mine showed statuses such as "prepared for shipment", "Manifested" and "departed."

I'll try to load up some pictures as well that might help or message me if not and I can email.

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Success!! Bike arrived around midnight last night and I was able to pick it up this morning after around 3 hours at Auckland airport. Here's the steps needed:

1. Pickup Document Packet from the agent's office (for my shipment from Malaysia to Auckland it was Menzies Aviation,-37.003712,174.789828)

2. Proceed (15 minute walk) to the Customs Office at -36.998121,174.798914

3. Head to the Bio Inspection Office in the Air New Zealand building (near Manzies) at -37.003402,174.788486. They sent an inspector out almost immediately and I was cleared (passed inspection with flying colors) within 30 minutes. Paid 51.11 NZD for the inspection.

4. Return to the agent's office (Menzies) and get docs needed to pickup at warehouse. Paid Import Terminal Fee 23.83 NZD, Document Fee Import 43.13

5. Take docs to Warehouse at -37.003101,174.788642, pickup bike, connect battery.

6. Ride to VINZ with completed MR2C Form at -36.999402,174.786241 and get the Warranty of Fitness and registration. I asked about ACC Levy but the lady at VINZ thought it didn't apply to bikes? Strange because I read about it from m/c forums. Paid for a 12 month registration so total was 87.50 NZD (RUC and MVR transactions) and 42 NZD (Warranty of Fitness).

7. Fill tank with gas and enjoy NZ!!!

Summary of Fees (247.57) in order paid:

Bio Inspection: 51.11 NZD Paid at Bio Inspection
OfficeImport Terminal Fee: 23.83 NZD Paid at Import Agent
Document Fee Import: 43.13 NZD Paid at Import Agent
RUC and MVR transactions: 87.50 NZD Paid at VINZ
Warranty of Fitness: 42 NZD Paid at VINZ

Web Sites and Forms:
Importing Vehicle Temporarily Factsheet: Importing a vehicle temporarily (Factsheet 35) | NZ Transport Agency

MR2C Form: Notice of temporary vehicle import by overseas visitor (MR2C) | NZ Transport Agency

VINZ: https://vinz.co.nz/find-a-service-centre/

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Great summary and info. Wish everybody was as thorough documenting this stuff!

Just one thing I´d like to clarify, I know it´s there already, but just to be really clear: what were the total costs of this shipment, including the sending and receiving end?

coolgreany, thank you for information!
Your motorcycle don't pack in a box? Or this process took place without your control?

@Zapp, sorry for the late reply. No, it's not packed in a box. MASKARGO places on a metal pallett similar to the one shown at https://farm1.staticflickr.com/654/2...583697a0_o.jpg

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Can confirm coolgreany's excellent post above how to freight out of KL with Maskargo is still spot on as at today. Only thing that's changed is phone nr in 1. Now ends 1610 not 1777.
Perhaps the only thing I might do differently is do the customs and carnet before maskargo. Customs and carnet (export office) are on the right and left respectively of the main security entrance you enter having secured your day pass (they're 40m beyond). Thanks again John.

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