![Reply](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/buttons/reply.gif) |
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
11 Sep 2001
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Boulder, CO USA
Posts: 68
|
|
Flying bike from Europe to Nairobi
I'm considering flying my motorcycle from somewhere in Europe to Nairobi to get over northern Africa. I know that Grant and Susan flew from Egypt to Nairobi, but I haven't seen anything about flying from Europe. Has anyone done this, or does anyone have information on how it might be done. Are there any European cities that might be easier than others? I was considering flying from Frankfurt because it seems to have a large airport and lots of freight services. Are there other European cities that might be better? Thanks.
Story
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
20 Mar 2002
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Krefeld (Germany)
Posts: 27
|
|
I tried to get a ticket from Frankfurt to Nairobi for my DR 350 but all the information I got from all the airlines I contacted was that the planes thy use to get there from Europe are too small to take a motorbike - freight. Anyway, they would not do so because a motorcycle is considered as a "dangerous good" and there are only a few airlines left who still accept motorbikes as freight.
Sorry to tell you that,
Silke
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Mar 2002
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
|
|
Silke:
I think the response you are getting from the 'front line' employees at the airlines is not the educated response you deserve. True, motorcycles are "Dangerous Goods" under IATA regulations, but lots of other things are dangerous goods, and airlines carry dangerous goods every day on every flight. All you need to do is ensure that the item you wish to ship (in this case, a "Vehicle - Flammable Liquid Powered", to use the correct nomenclature) is properly documented and properly packed.
I recommend you begin by visiting (in person) the cargo office of the airline you are considering using. I don't know where in Europe you are, but most of the major European carriers fly into Nai-robbery.
The cargo office staff can help you to fill out the dangerous goods paperwork, but by law, they are not allowed to complete the form for you. A motorcycle (sorry, a "Vehicle - Flammable Liquid Powered") is a Class 9 (misc) item, UN number 3166, and you need to follow packing instruction 900. Packing instruction 900 can be found in the IATA DGR book that is in every airline cargo office in the world. The airline will photocopy the page containing the instructions, and photocopy a 2 page checklist that lists everything you need to do to complete the paperwork and get your bike on its way.
I have shipped my bike transatlantic using Canadian air carriers, all I had to do (besides following the packing instruction and filling out the paperwork) was show up with less than a gallon (4 liters) of fuel in the tank, and disconnect and tape off the positive battery terminal. That was it. Below is a picture of my motorcycle, in the shipping container (the airline provides that free as part of the service). You will need to make a simple wooden pallet on your own to keep the bike upright.
Note that not all planes can accept a container the size of the one you will need. The container (ULD, or "unit load device", as it is referred to in the industry) shown below is a LD6. You need a two-aisle widebody, such as a 767, A330, A340, 747, etc. to carry a LD6. Smaller single aisle aircraft, such as A320's, 737 and 757 aircraft are not big enough to take this size container - but perhaps your 350cc motorcycle would fit into a smaller can - almost for sure it would if you took the front tire off and stowed it beside the bike. Otherwise, I am sure that there are dedicated cargo aircraft serving Kenya out of Europe daily. If you don't get a good response from the passenger carriers, call a freight forwarder-consolidator such as Panalpina or similar.
Regards,
PanEuropean
Airline Pilot and Dangerous Goods Instructor
[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 24 March 2002).]
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
9 Apr 2002
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 29
|
|
Hi there,
I suggest you contact David Grist at HC Travel: david@hctravel.com who I used to arrange shipping my bike from the UK to Mombassa. I found him really helpful although I must admit airfreighting the bike would have been much easier and ultimately not much more expensive. That was down to the shipping company really.
I'm sure he can arrange airfreight and crating for you. Alternatively, a number of travellers (2) I've met have said good things about using Air France from Paris on other routes and it may be worth checking them out.
Good luck,
Stephan
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
9 Apr 2002
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
|
|
Story:
I can fail but to see a little humour (or perhaps irony) here - you're asking how to get your bike into Kenya from Europe by air, and two posts down the list, Goose is going nuts trying to get his bike out of Kenya by air. See his post, Advice please for shipping/freighting out of Kenya
Maybe you might want to talk to Goose first - perhaps by now he would be willing to sell you his bike cheap, that would save both of you a lot of shipping costs.
[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 09 April 2002).]
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
10 Apr 2002
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Boulder, CO USA
Posts: 6
|
|
I did see Goose's post and I got a chuckle out of it.
It did confirm my suspicions that Nairobi is a good entry point to Africa if you're coming from the north, or exit point if you're coming from the south. Hopefully the logistics of flying into Nairobi and riding out are easier than those of riding in and flying out
Story
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
10 Apr 2002
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
|
|
Yes, I think you are probably correct - it would be easier to import a shipment than to export one.
I worked out of Nairobi (Nai-robbery as we referred to it) for a few years in the early '90s, flying food out of Wilson airport up into South Sudan and later Ethiopia. The government officials in Kenya are not always the most facilitative in the world. They are not as "in your face, bribe me" as, for example, the Nigerians, but they are not as logical as you would expect, if you have not lived in Africa. Often there are strange requirements that need to be met - such as a stamp on a document - that neither you, the official, or the official's boss can think of a reason for - but it has to be done.
Having said that, you might want to prepare yourself for a possible 2 or 3 day delay in releasing your bike from customs, and also mentally prepare yourself to perhaps discreetly hand out a little dosh to move things along. 10 years ago, a US $20 bill did wonders. But you need to make the offer in a low key way, e.g. asking the official if he needs any cash for expenses he might incur as a result of going out of his way to help you, rather than framing it as an outright bribe.
The best possible arrangement would be to deal with a European based freight forwarder who has a local representative in Kenya, and have it agreed in your contract that the freight forwarder is responsible for customs clearance and costs. Even with that, you might need to slip a little cash to the local agent, who will keep a bit himself and pass some of it along to others to get you the results you want.
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
10 Apr 2002
|
![Susan Johnson's Avatar](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/avatars/Animal013.gif) |
Administrator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,008
|
|
For a cautionary tale by Charlie Money on airfreighting from Cairo to Nairobi, and our own experiences on the same route, see:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...t/shipping.php
and search on Africa to Africa, then Cairo to Nairobi
It must be said that the Cairo end of the flights was much worse than the Nairobi end, so flying in from Europe shouldn't be too awful.
Quote:
"Landing in Nairobi is straightforward, somebody will try to get you to hire them to do the customs clearance for you - it's normal to do so, but clear with them what their charges will be - don't take "not much" for an answer - and how long it will take and how much in "tips" to get it through. Expect US$100+ if you want it in a few hours, as in sometime today. You can try yourself, but it's pretty chaotic and you don't know who and how much to "tip," although you can probably figure it out eventually.
Uncrating the bikes is easy - let it be known that you don't want the crates and they will disappear in seconds before your eyes - they will do all the uncrating."
|
------------------
Susan Johnson
'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 01 December 2004).]
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
![Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.](/stuff/ripcord/ripcord-logo-250.jpg)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
![Five books by Graham Field!](/stuff/grahamfield/graham-field-2021-280.jpg)
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|