Shipping from Panama to Quito
 

We are now Granada, Nicarauga and will soon be in Panama. Due to some time constraints we are going to reserve Colombia for the return trip.

Does anyone have recent experiences (good or bad) shipping thier bike from Panama to Quito?

Who did you use? How much did it cost? Would you recommend them again?

Thanks Much!

Dont go with COPA
 

Copa charged $1700.00 for a KLR from Panama to Quito two weeks ago (ADV rider GSGAL) and took her a week to get bike out of customs.

Fly it Girag Panama to Bogata, it will work out both faster and cheaper than going into Quito airport, the officials there do their training on the Honduran border posts but the Girag people (Caroline I want your baby) like to help. Ride safe.

Medellin
 

Daveg on Advrider flew his bike to Medellin with Copa a couple of weeks ago for $700 and $300 for himself.He got his bike out the next day.
Best of luck.
Al theturtleshead

Thanks to all for the tips
 

It's looking more and more like we will be flying into the República de Colombia instead of Quito.

Shipping to Colombia is back on the table
 

We just received a reply from Girag about shipping the bike to Quito. This is a very expensive option and Colombia is again being considered.

I'm posting the following for the information of the community:

Melvis Batista <melvis.batista@girag.com>:

Mr. xxx:
Here the requested quotation:

1 motorbike by airplane going to Quito Ecuador, from Tocumen Int l airport , will cost you $ 1,903.00 USD, the departure day could be Thursday or Friday.

1-Passport copy
2- Motorbike permit emitted by customs pasocanoas with the seals customs.
3-Gas empty level
4-Cash payment only
5-The motorbike need to be on time (10:00am) on the girag warehouse
6-The estimated arrive time will be the next business day during the morning
7-The responsible s persons to receive the motorbike on Panama, will be Carmenza Clavijo or Xenia Jurado

Melvis Batista

Girag - Panama to Bogota
 

Hey all, we are in Panama City. Our bikes have been flown over to Bogota with Girag. Copa do not have a flight till next Thurs 14th.

We chanced it on Thurs 6th Nov and rode up to the Cargo terminal at Tocumen airport (follow the signs on approach to airport). Girag depot is over on the right as you drive into the cargo terminal area. Luckily there was a flight that night with space for our XT660s. Within a few hours we were relieved of $901 USD each and are now bikeless in Panama City. Just needed to ensure that there was mininal combustible/gasolina in the bikes.

The terminal was a hive of activity and the office is upside down as the electricans are re-wiring all over the place, but the process of dropping off the bikes was painless, and lasted 2 hrs approx. Fingers crossed for Monday when we try to clear them in Bogota! Will let you know how we get on!

Matt & Stu

Thanks for the update Matt
 

"S" and I have had probs with our clutch today, literally 50 meters before reaching the symbolic Panama Canal .. see our post for more info. We will need to get it looked at soon, either here or in Bogata.

Bikes collected in 2 hrs from Girag, El Dorado Airport
 

Hey, we are happy. We have the bikes back! Visited Girag cargo at El Dorado Airport and then got sent to the Aduana to obtain temporary import permits etc. This took 1 hr and needed various photocopies which were all produced onsite. Even got a free coffee.

Then, returned to Girag, 10 min walk and within 20 mins rode our bikes out of the foyer down the steps and into Bogota! Very smooth and trouble free.

Tonight we managed to get some reflective vests (chalecos) made up with our British plates stitched on! Go to Avendia Caracas / Carre 16 y 17! There´s loads of biker tiendas in an indoor market format. 10 bucks a piece!

Good luck.