Shipments done by Travellers

I checked out a number of agents in Jakarta but MSA Kargo was responsive and relatively affordable. They handled the process well. It wasn't a bargain and they are clearly trying to make good money out if out of it but they were professional and friendly.

Shipping by air is expensive in any event at the moment so I was not surprised at the cost. Get the volumetric weight down as much as possible and make sure you agree on that weight. Tiurma was honest about the process.

In the end my bike was delayed with more than a week but that was Qantas' fault. It was stuck in Sydney somehow and the idiots did not send it to Perth despite me chasing by phone several times a day.

THE PERILS OF SHIPPING BY SEA

When I shipped my 1500 Goldwing to Budapest in 2008 the base cost was $600.00 and some change for paper work. The base cost to ship it back to the U.S. in 2011 was $950.00. There was another $150.00 for paper work. In October I was told that the container was held up in Germany for scanning. In November I received an e-mail stating that the shipment would be arriving and I needed to pay $175.00 for the broker. With in the week I received an apologetic e-mail from Fort Lauderdale asking for another $840.00 to cover the cost of German scanning. I stopped payment on the $175.00 check and began to try and find out what was going on.

The cost of scanning is passed on to the clients. (fine print - Port charges, customs clearance fees, duties, taxes and unloading at destination not included). The shipping company took the $2250.00 and divided it equally among the 3 clients. The container included my goldwing and another 1500 goldwing, a 2007 Chrysler Sebring, and 147 items of used furniture. So how can that be fair - right?

Even with the help of the offices of a current and former U.S. Senator, we could not find any agency that oversees these practices. The logistics managers for several of our client companies also came up empty. Several shipping company terminal managers (including the one that contracts with our carrier) said they would always divide the charges based on cubic feet and not equally between clients.

In January I paid the ransom to Mr Steven C Szaraz of www.amships.com. I met the General Manager of American Freight Line, Steven Nolte when I picked up the wing. He explained that the scanning thing is a big problem for the shipping industry and one should get the companies policies spelled out to you before signing on.

PS: I plan on riding the 1500 to South America later this year. Please let me know if you are aware of anyone planning the same. tom () markentpersonnel-com

Tom Udulutch

I had to ship my car + my bike since I gave up my household in Amman, Jordan. At that time Syria was already in troubles and not 'crossable' so the only choice was through Israel back to Europe. Crossing from Jordan to Israel no problem but I had to go twice - one time with one vehicel, since I was traveling alone and Jordan only permits one foreign vehicle per foreign opperson. But they had no record that I had actually two vehicles on my name! Just had to show up with one at a time at the border.

Rosenfeld is only shipper from/to Israel, and not really cheap. But friendly staff and relatively fast process.

Problems: Haifa port authorities charge as they like, since I found a co-traveler from Israel who had his way with the female Israeli customs officers, I paid less. Otherwise get ready to negotiate.

I had to fly from Israel to Greece and drive down to the port of Lavrio to get my car and bike, since the boat does not accept passengers (I read it did so in the past). Greek side was very easy and fast, just another 80 Euro for the port.

Deliver the bike in Bremerhaven with a little bit petrol in the tank. No personal effects on the bike allowed apart from the helmets.
Pay the office the costs, get a paper. Ride 500m to harbourgate and deliver the bike.
In Halifax. Go to the agent, pay the costs and walk with the deliverypaper to the customs office, about 500m away. Hand the papers and the complete bill of lading Wallenius emailed you after sailing of the vessel. In return you get another paper. Take a cab and ride to docks. Hand over that paper and wait for the bike. No university education necessary for these actions.
Check your bike and ride.
Before arrival you you need to have the insurance for the bike arranged wich I did with the help of Gail Goodman of Motorcycleexpress.

For more detailed information please visit our website. We listed all the steps you have to go through on the Russian and the Thailand side with contact details, GPS-Coordinates and many more.

http://www.timetoride.de/2013/10/28/sibirien/

http://www.timetoride.de/l%C3%A4nderinfos/fazit-osteuropa/

http://www.timetoride.de/sponsoren/unterwegs/

http://www.timetoride.de/2011/11/09/thailand-teil-1/

 (Please use the translator button on the right hand side of the web page to choose your language!)