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19 Mar 2011
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Bike shipping to and from Cape Town
Hello all,
I have a long holiday planned for the end of this year. Starting December 01.
The destination could be Cape Town for 6 weeks.
I was thinking as it's nice summer weather there, that time of the year, is buying my brothers 750cc Africa Twin, and shipping a , is that a crazy idea?
I was thinking to ship it, by boat, from UK some time middle of October, so it's there when I arrive.
I could then use it for 6 weeks, then ship it back to UK.
What is the economical way to ship to Cape Town, time wise is of no importance, as I won't be riding from about end of September any way.
When the bike arrives in Cape Town, can I ride it for 6 weeks without needing any temporary import or stuff?
'vette
Last edited by uk_vette; 22 Mar 2011 at 07:47.
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19 Mar 2011
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When the distance is long, sending by sea may be the cheapest option.... BUT you may find that the costs at the receiving end pile up, in seafreight they are often hard to know exactly beforehand. In the end the difference to airfreight might not be so big afterall. So it pays to do your homework well, and ask quotes (by ship and by air) from as many forwarders as you can find.
But I think you´re gonna need a carnet to temp import a bike to South Africa. And freighting there and back will cost you money, no matter how you do it. Plus it´s more or less always a pain in the *ss, even when everything works quite smoothly! So for 6 weeks, I´d also seriously consider renting.
edit. I rented two times in Johannesburg in 2001 and 2002, rode a total of about 12 weeks there, was a lot cheaper than in Europe, but I dont know about the prices nowadays. Was even able to get authorisation to cross borders with the rental bike in southern Africa (that could be hard, not sure if it would be possible at all any more), and went to 8 countries in the region.
Last edited by pecha72; 19 Mar 2011 at 16:30.
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19 Mar 2011
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I've just got my bike out of customs here in Cape Town. It cost nearly $1000 to get it out of customs and although I was shipping from Central America Idon't think that makes any difference.
I assume you would still need a carnet.
Might be just as cheap to fly the bike.
By the way that was just $1000 for the Cape Town side. I had to pay $2000 to actaully ship it.
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19 Mar 2011
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I just shipping my bike from CT to Tilbury, England
Cost £650 with a British based shipping company which includes all customs clearances at both ends. They said all I have to do is collect my bike from their offices in Tilbury and ride it home.. Simple ! We shall see though.
No crate required as it rolls into a container. You just drop your bike off at their secure offices and they do all the rest. As much luggage as you like and you dont need to drain fuel, disconnect battery etc.
Company are called "Britannia Movers" and have offices in CT and UK..
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20 Mar 2011
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Thanks to all who took time to reply.
Ted,
Thanks for the name of the movers.
I am really not sure a carnet is required for South Africa, I may be wrong.
I like the idea of just into a container, however £650 does sound expensive I feel.
Is that a return price?
2 friends of mine took a car each from Southampton to Port Elizabeth, which is about 7 hours from Cape Tow,
I think they paid £900 for each car, this was just a 1 way.
No container though, just driven onto the vessel.
vette
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20 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
Thanks to all who took time to reply.
Ted,
Thanks for the name of the movers.
I am really not sure a carnet is required for South Africa, I may be wrong.
I like the idea of just into a container, however £650 does sound expensive I feel.
Is that a return price?
2 friends of mine took a car each from Southampton to Port Elizabeth, which is about 7 hours from Cape Tow,
I think they paid £900 for each car, this was just a 1 way.
No container though, just driven onto the vessel.
vette
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I think thats a good price compared to what many people pay.. Half the cost of flying it etc.. And yes, thats just one way and included all customs work and clearance. I got cheaper quotes from dodgy back street offices but I just didnt like their approach. Britannia were very friendly, helpful and knew exactly what they were doing with bikes and carnets.. Also, they didnt want a crate which saves £200 or more.
As for Carnet, you DO NOT need one for South Africa but it is accepted. You get a "T.I.P" (temporary import). You don't need a carnet until you get to Sudan really.
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21 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I think thats a good price compared to what many people pay.. Half the cost of flying it etc.. And yes, thats just one way and included all customs work and clearance. I got cheaper quotes from dodgy back street offices but I just didnt like their approach. Britannia were very friendly, helpful and knew exactly what they were doing with bikes and carnets.. Also, they didnt want a crate which saves £200 or more.
As for Carnet, you DO NOT need one for South Africa but it is accepted. You get a "T.I.P" (temporary import). You don't need a carnet until you get to Sudan really.
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Hi Ted,
Thanks again,
I thought I didn't need a carnet.
Is it easy do you think to get a temporary import permit (T.I.P.)
vette
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21 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
Hi Ted,
Thanks again,
I thought I didn't need a carnet.
Is it easy do you think to get a temporary import permit (T.I.P.)
vette
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I can't tell you about getting one at the port but at the land borders it takes 10 minutes. I can't see it being difficult at the airport/docks once you find the customs office.
Where are you heading ?
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21 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I can't tell you about getting one at the port but at the land borders it takes 10 minutes. I can't see it being difficult at the airport/docks once you find the customs office.
Where are you heading ?
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Wanting to do Cape Town and the surrounding areas.
vette
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21 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
.
Wanting to do Cape Town and the surrounding areas.
vette
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Well then, you don't need a Carnet.. You're going to have a great time 
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21 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
Well then, you don't need a Carnet.. You're going to have a great time |
.
Thanks Ted,
Where are you now?
Are you in South Africa?
vette
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21 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
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Thanks Ted,
Where are you now?
Are you in South Africa?
vette
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I flew home to the UK two weeks ago !! Biggest regret of the year upto now lol.
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3 Apr 2011
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Container
Hi Vette,
I will ship a container from Germany to Durban in September. But I will only take bikes along that will be permanent imported. No bikes with carnet ! If you want to come and travel and sell your bike afterwards that would maybe be an option for you. Or do a holiday, park it and come for a 2nd holiday !
Shipping only one bike can be quite expensive. Just paid 2 weeks ago for 2 bikes from UK friends 800 Euro just for the the handling in Durban harbour ! Plus import taxes and clearing agent it added up to 1100 Euro!
@ Ted, did you use at the end Chalba Freight in Cape Town at the end, or did you find a better option ?
regards
Thomas
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3 Apr 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moto Zulu
@ Ted, did you use at the end Chalba Freight in Cape Town at the end, or did you find a better option ?
regards
Thomas
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By the time I got to Capetown, my friend has already organised shipping for us.
We used a company called "BRITANNIA Movers". A British firm we could just leave our bikes and carnet with (securely and they did everything else). They didnt even want a crate because they go in a private container.
It cost £650 in total including customs clearance in the U.K and movement to a depot in the UK so we can just collect our bikes and ride home
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3 Apr 2011
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shipping
Hi, that price sounds very reasonable, I am costing shipping out two sets of tkc80 tyres (4 tyres) to nkcht or dakar and the cheapest price so far is dhl with £380 and I have to pay all of the "handling" charges on collection which could be anything.
I am going down the west coast down to ct in september this year 2011 and plan to ride back up east, but you never know, thanks martin
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