Hi guys,

I am breaking my brains off trying to find a country with easy customs, low fees and a cheap shipper.
I would like to ship from europe to South america. I dont care where from europe to where in SA. We just whant to get on the continent ... .

From what I read (plz correct if wrong):

- Argentina/buenos aires: Expensive fees, complicated if by boat
- Uruguay/montevideo: problems getting bikes out of customs, time consuming.
- Brasil: worst option ?
- venezuela: could not find anything, maybe not so famous option ?
- Chile: heard + read good things, but it is on the other side of the Landmass
- Suriname: ?
- French Guayana: ?


Would be glad if the experienced South America shippers could give me some input. Also which ports in europe they used.

Got a quote from a shipper in the Netherlands. From Rotterdam to Suriname for 450 euros, each bike. Sadly they did not list the upcoming costs in the port of suriname/customs. I think the price is quite ok.
I would be happy on any input! thanxs alot!

Hi thecoon,
Kitto from this forum may be able to advise you as he has shipped from and back to Suriname. He is heading for the sand dunes to watch the Dakar,so he may be a away from internet for a while.
Regards Ben

That's "Kito," one "t."

You won't find cheaper than shipping to Suriname, but that puts you a long ride from the places most riders want to be (not that there's anything wrong with that). On a long trip it won't matter a bit, but if you've only got four months you might place a higher priority on shipping to wherever you're hoping to ride. From Paramaribo you'll need to add at least a couple of weeks to get back on the main gringo trail near its northern end, and some of that time will likely be spent in serious heat and perhaps serious mud.

Concept like "easy" and "cheap" are totally relative. I think 500 euros to ship into South America is ridiculously cheap. I think spending a half-day or more at a port of entry is reasonably easy. You may differ.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

thanks guys,

gonna PM Mr. Kito right away. I dont mind being away from the classic route.... in fact I even like it. I just dont want to spend alot of cash and big time trouble with customs.
Choosing the right port might help alot..... I dont mind doing some bla bla bla with customs, but I prefer to ride and spending my money in small villages where the people can really profit from it.
Might be helpfull for others too, so any input on those ports will be appreciated .

Hi,
Few weeks ago I had the price for shhipping a bike (transalp) from Rouen (north west of France) to Cayenne French Guyana.
It's 600 €... but you have to prove you have a work contract in Guyana...if not you must pay 14% of tax...
A friend who lives in Guyana told me it's not the patrol priority to contol if you work contrat is real... you just need to have a real SIRET number (in France all companies have a number, that's the SIRET number).
But it's a risk... and it's depend of the weather because it's close of amazionian forest and it could be very hard to ride on...
A french guy, makes a trip by this way at the moment..you can see what's happen for him... (some good and hard moments)
Maxime Barat

I'm searching the same as you (good price to ship my bike to SA), but I'm agree with "markharf", I prefer payed more and be quickly on the roads I want to discover...time is precious and expensive (4me)...
I'm waiting for prices to ship to France to Colombia or Valaparaiso...whan I have..I tell you...

For the moment, I found the same as you for :
"- Argentina/buenos aires: Expensive fees, complicated if by boat
- Uruguay/montevideo: problems getting bikes out of customs, time consuming.

- venezuela: could not find anything, maybe not so famous option ?
- Chile: heard + read good things, but it is on the other side of the Landmass"

Good search
Tony
"No-mad sans frontiere"
C'est quoi ce projet fou ? - Nomad sans frontiere

Try these people, villa kunterbunt valparaiso chile , I met a group of Italian bikers 3 weeks ago that used them. They handle all the shipping etc, and have a hostel to stay at in Valpariso.

The Italians filled a crate (8 bikes) to reduce costs.

__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk

It's likely not helpful to you because the prices you have seem ridiculously cheap, however, if you want the "money no object" option, I have this morning left my V-Strom at James Cargo Services warehouse in Heathrow for air freighting and expect to pick it up in Buenos Aires next week.

I've paid UKP1645 to James Cargo and expect local fees in BA to be around US$500.

The experience so far has been flawless, and I plan to use Dakar Motors in BA to help extract it from customs. They were well known to James Cargo, and it seems it takes 2-3 hours to get the bike out (famous last words!!!)

Chile Vs Argentina
Both countries have a similar aditional local cost.Between 500-900 dollars.Valpo or BA.
Now times invested Valpo looks to be a bit faster.But still some burocracy is involved too.
All depends on where do you start and plan ending your trip.
As many knows i am a regular at Dakar Motos and from what i have seen first hand,if you follow their instructions is pretty fast and troublefree.
Others have started with them and in the process for saving a few bucks decided to do it allone,have ended in drama,delays and tears(yeah grown up in tears)
Of course allways is the traveller with time for doing it all from own experience.
The key is to start with all the papers in order!All around the world works like this!
Karl

__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

Thanks Bruce,
I'll send them a message.. A friend spoke to me of this germans but I don't use it...
With your post I'll do it..
Take care and enjoy riding : )

Tony
Nomad sans frontiere - Une année sabbatique à parcourir l'Amérique du sud en moto et découvrir l'Asie en sac à dos

valparaiso and yuo dont nead any healp its easy even may granmothear can do it dam easy and sheap did it 2 years ago no problemo

Another viral marketing effort...when will it cease?

Hi everybody,
As I told you, I'll give you all the prices I have (it's real price at the start of 2013)
I ask every time for the same dimensions : 225 x 100 x 120 - 450kg
By air:
If you want to send your bike from France by airplane it's nearly the same price in every France's Airports..You must make a box in MINP15 (treated wood) - I don't know the price for a box like this.
For Bogota : $ 2400 USD + nearly $ 500 (arrival tax)
For Buenos Aires : $ 2300 USD + $500-800 (arrival tax)
For Santiago : $ 2500 USD + nearly $ 500 (arrival tax)

By Boat:
The box is as you like (not necessary treated wood)
Rouen (France) > French Guyana $ 850 USD + 14% of tax if you don't have work contract
Marseille (France) > Colombia
ou > Valaparaiso
ou > Montevideo
ou > Buenos Aires Neraly the same price for all $ 2000 USD (arrival tax depend of the country but I think it's between $ 800 and 1200 USD)

Like this you have fresh price and all informations I have...
Cheers
Tony "No-mad without border"
Nomad sans frontiere - Une année sabbatique à parcourir l'Amérique du sud en moto et découvrir l'Asie en sac à dos