Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
Shipping Panama to LA? Shipping Panama to LA?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: London
Posts: 10
Shipping Panama to LA?
Coming up soon...

Need some info if anyone has any of getting a bike back to LA relatively cheaply from Panama, looking end of March. Id like to keep the bike and dont have the time to ride back. looking to put in for a container or something, budgets around $500...

Alternatively, we will have 2 great 05 / 06 KLRs going from March in the area, lots of extras. (This will be posted elsewhere...ad section) shortly.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Panama to LA Shipping
I shipped my British registered Yam XT600 from Chile to LA in March last year, leaving Chile was easy, getting the bike through Customs in LA was a complete nightmare. They are complete and utter a***h***s, I had to convince them that I was not importing the vehicle "officially", and not intending to live or work there, I had a banquet of forms to fill in, involving many phone calls and trips all over the place, just to please one Customs Officer dressed like a member of a SWAT Team on the 10th floor of an office building down in Long Beech, complete with a pistol on his hip! I had already ridden the same bike through the US from Canada to Mexico the previous year, it was obvious I was a traveler just passing through.
So, unless your bike is an American registered vehicle, forget it!
Much better ship it to Vancouver or, believe it or not, Mexico, it would be less hassle...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: London
Posts: 10
YeH mate, can imagine...I had problems even leaving the US, border guards were questioning why I'd even go to mexico.
Thought it be harder the other way...
Bikes are California registered so that parts no prob.
Just need to get em there, or sell em off...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 326
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottym24 View Post
I shipped my British registered Yam XT600 from Chile to LA in March last year, leaving Chile was easy, getting the bike through Customs in LA was a complete nightmare. They are complete and utter a***h***s, I had to convince them that I was not importing the vehicle "officially", and not intending to live or work there, I had a banquet of forms to fill in, involving many phone calls and trips all over the place, just to please one Customs Officer dressed like a member of a SWAT Team on the 10th floor of an office building down in Long Beech, complete with a pistol on his hip! I had already ridden the same bike through the US from Canada to Mexico the previous year, it was obvious I was a traveler just passing through.
So, unless your bike is an American registered vehicle, forget it!
Much better ship it to Vancouver or, believe it or not, Mexico, it would be less hassle...
I'll second that motion.
When I ship my Unimog to Europe got my Mongolia etc trip I will go out and return via Halifax NS, Canada.
Getting my US registered Unimog back into the US from Australia via Tacoma took about 2 weeks using a customs broker, costing I don't know how much but a lot of money. Can't imagine what a hassle it would have been to do it myself, dealing with those a-holes. Yet they let container loads of whatever in from China and elsewhere without a cursory glance.

Charlie
__________________
Unimog U500 w/Unicat
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New Ferry CROSSING from Panama to Colombia lorraine Trip Transport 20 26 Jul 2015 01:46
Shipping Panama to Chile mjod Trip Transport 3 22 Nov 2012 19:14
Need a shipping address in Panama MennoMoto Central America and Mexico 2 10 Sep 2012 19:01
Panama to Colmbia - container shipping - mid/late April user4796426 Central America and Mexico 6 27 Apr 2012 22:30
Looking for shipping info Panama to Northern Chile. Accident delayed friends trip. MyOwnWay Trip Transport 2 12 Apr 2012 20:02

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:58.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top