Air freight general queries.... 2023
 

Hi y'all

I'm looking to hear from people who have successfully air-freighted a bike in 2023. From anywhere to anywhere... (personally I'm hoping to go from Heathrow to Toronto but general experience from/to anywhere is useful). How does the process actually work now? What I think I know is this:

1. Pay a shipping agent at the departure point to crate the bike and ship it, including luggage, helmet and jacket all in one crate. They will empty the fuel tank and disconnect the battery. Do not include any aerosols in the luggage. The price will vary depending on the size of the crate. Taking off the handlebars, screen and front wheel can save money, but you have to be able to put thyem back on by yourself at the destination.

2. Maybe include an empty petrol can in the crate - you might need it at the destination airport. Thoughts on this?

3. Agree an arrival date for the crate (departure date is irrelevant, arrival date is crucial).

4. Get some insurance organised for riding the bike legally in the destination country. Usually possible online? Probably not possible at the airport?

5. Fly yourself to the destination. Take your ownership documents with you for the bike.

6. Your shipping agent will give you some documents (a Weigh bill?) for you to show to customs.

7. Go to the customs office at the detination ariport. Typically located in the passenger terminal somewhere? Present all documents. Get customs clearance for the crate and a Temporary Import License for the bike.

8. Pay a fee to customs for the Temp Import License? Any ideas on this?

9. Once approved, take the customs clearance documents to the cargo terminal. Ask the customs office where to go? Taxi? Walk? Bus?

10. Present paperwork at the cargo terminal and wait for them to bring your crate to the carpark/yard.

11. Pay any fees for storage if the crate has been there for a day or more? Any ideas on this?

12. Borrow some tools to get the bike out of the crate? Your own tools will be inside the crate! Will the cargo depot guys generally help with this? What's everyone's experience?

13. Leave the crate behind? Will the cargo depot guys clear it away? Will they charge a fee for disposal?

14. Connect the battery, fit the handlebars/screen etc and start the bike. The tank will have been pumped dry but there may be enough fuel still in the system to get you to the nearest gas station.....?

Does this sum up the process? Have I missed any steps? There's no better way to learn than from someone else's experience!!!

Jon:

Contact an airline that offers shipping services for motorcycles. If your destination is Canada, that would include both Air Canada and WestJet. There are lengthy discussions here on the HUBB about the services that both of these carriers offer - have a look in the Trip Transport section here on the HUBB.

It's not necessary to crate the motorcycle if you are shipping it with an airline that offers motorcycle shipping services - just show up with less than 1/4 of a tank of fuel. The air freight handler for the airline will strap the motorcycle down on a pallet, much the same as you do when you travel by ferry.

I've shipped my moto from Canada to Europe and vv several times, never had any problems, never needed to crate it.

FWIW, even though you are (presumably) based in the UK, you might find it cheaper overall to ship out of France or Netherlands to Canada... Heathrow is one of the most expensive airports in the world to ship in and out of. So check the prices for shipping out of continental airports that are close to you and do the math.

So far as arriving in Canada is concerned, you don't need a carnet or any fancy import paperwork. Just ensure that you have the ownership & registration documents and proof of insurance for Canada (if the insurance is valid in Canada, it will also be valid in all 50 states in the USA).

It is very important that the motorcycle is perfectly (and I mean PERFECTLY) clean and has no evidence at all of bug splats, mud under the fenders or on the tires, etc. This is because Canada Customs biggest concern will be the risk of importing an insect egg or a seed that is not native to Canada. Get it steam-cleaned a few days before shipping, then detail it yourself, and don't ride it to the airport if it is raining that day.

Michael

PS: An alternative is to contact a company that specializes in shipping motorcycles by air between Europe and North America. Motorcycle Express is such a company. I have used them in the past, they are very experienced, very professional, and I can recommend them based on my experience.