Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Air freight my motorcycle to Frankfurt Air freight my motorcycle to Frankfurt
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By kawazoki
  • 1 Post By slowriding

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Feb 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15
Air freight my motorcycle to Frankfurt
Let me see if I got this customs thing sorted out. At Frankfurt airport German customs will issue a Temp Vehicle Import permit of a specific length of time, say 6 months for my motorcycle. But I want to keep the bike in Europe longer so I can return and tour for a few years. If I go ride in France and Spain for a couple of weeks and go back to German customs, can I close my vehicle permit by stating I am going to Ireland? When I return to the EU after Ireland do I have to find a customs office and open a new permit whether I have been gone a week or a year? Are there systems in place to verify a vehicle permit is in place if I am pulled over by the police in any of the EU countries?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Walsall, UK
Posts: 251
The Republic of Ireland is a member of the European Union and the North is part of the United Kingdom which is also, for a couple of years at least, part of the European Union.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Feb 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15
Tourider, thanks, my error. Substitute for Ireland, any non-EU country.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: cacak/Serbia
Posts: 174
And your bike is registered in ??..... As long as you haw insurance policy no custom official in Germany are going to issue temporary import papers for you`r bike...no need for such papers.. from my own experience as of last year with Serbian plates and couple of years back with US plates.

Hope this helps..........safe ride
__________________
Serbia to Japan 2014
Central and South America 2016
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Italy
Posts: 502
Actually, there are rules, but nobody checks, or is able to check.
Usually you can't overstay 1 year in EU countries, but it's hard that someone can tell you that you did it, unless you do it (telling them, I mean).

For example, if you leave your bike for 5 years in Italy, nobody can say for sure or demonstrate that every year you did not went for a 1 day trip/border crossing to Switzerland and back, as there are no stamps or papers involved at Italy/Switzerland border
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Posts: 427
Quote:
Originally Posted by slowriding View Post
Let me see if I got this customs thing sorted out. At Frankfurt airport German customs will issue a Temp Vehicle Import permit of a specific length of time, say 6 months for my motorcycle. But I want to keep the bike in Europe longer so I can return and tour for a few years. If I go ride in France and Spain for a couple of weeks and go back to German customs, can I close my vehicle permit by stating I am going to Ireland? When I return to the EU after Ireland do I have to find a customs office and open a new permit whether I have been gone a week or a year? Are there systems in place to verify a vehicle permit is in place if I am pulled over by the police in any of the EU countries?
Slow,

I presume you're flying your bike using Lufthansa myAircargo?

You don't need to do temp import, Lufthansa land crew is very skilled and they know how to deal with paperwork for overlanders who're flying their motorcycles. You're ariving on tourist base so no need for temporary import.
Because there is no fixed computer system yet to control the flow of vehicles when they get third prty liability insurance, if you're coming from a US state that is allowing you to renew your registation online (like Virginia i believe), than you can keep your bike in Europe for as much as you want.
Third party liability insurance is the only thing you need.

Safe travels and if you need any help with your plans in Europe let me know.

Cheers
Dooby
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: cacak/Serbia
Posts: 174
Little correction.... Lufthansa land crew has noting to do with you`r bike except unloading it from a plane..German custom is in charge and you haw to deal with them in order to release bike as they do inspection and VIN verification.

Safe ride
__________________
Serbia to Japan 2014
Central and South America 2016
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Posts: 427
Thanks for the heads up Zoki, yes customs is always sorting the paperwork to release the bike from warehouse and inspecting/checking VIN chasy numbers.

What I meant to say is that Lufthansa land crew has long experience in cargo department, and will not direct people like some other airlines have done in the wrong direction, creating problems with temporary importing and causing more complications with customs that are not neccesarry.

cheers
Dooby
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Feb 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15
The state I live in does have online registration for my motorcycle. I hope this all runs smoothly when I get there in July. Thanks for all the comments.
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
Air freight from Panama City to Bogota - our experience March 2016 Keithbob Central America and Mexico 3 15 May 2017 14:39
Air Freight / Shipping Motorcycle from India to Kyrgyzstan...Found cheap option momo034 West and South Asia 6 13 Mar 2017 14:19
Shipping Air Freight Deals: Europe to America grahamtheman Trip Transport 3 12 Aug 2016 13:56
2006 Rules for shipping motorcycles by air freight PanEuropean Trip Transport 4 24 Mar 2015 20:07
not all those who wander are lost | two earthlings ride around the world Rockwell Ride Tales 84 7 Dec 2014 15:23

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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 02:29.

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