Thought I'd cut and paste the final prices payable to my shipper, as an example for any more curious bike movers.. Mine was a 2004 klr650. I made a declaration to customs that it was worth an estimated 800GBP.

First of all though, be prepared for unscheduled changes to destination, if shipping with pluscargo! They told me Tilbury; it went via Hamburg to Felixstowe. They told me 12th Jan; it arrived on the 23rd. They told me they'd keep me informed.... Hmmm. One last thing -they told me clearly the per m3 price, and 'estimated' the total price. Let's just say they were a few pounds out. Also, I ended up dealing with a completely different company in the UK, who were receiving the shipment (pluscargo didn't let me know that...)

Freight / Disbursements = GBP 573.45
Terminal Handling = GBP 112.80
Customs Presentation = GBP 17.50
Customs Clearance = GBP 37.50
Advancement Fee = GBP 28.89
Port Security Fee = GBP 3.50

Duty = GBP 64.93
Vat = GBP 153.40

Total payable = GBP 991.97

You get one week's free storage while you get yourself together, organise papers etc.
Good luck
a

Very useful post, much appreciated.

I'm planning a similar thing in June with an 06 KLR bought in Canada. At the moment I'm planning to ship the bike from Mexico, because hopefully it'll be cheaper. But we'll see.

Quick question regarding the KLR - did you register the bike in the UK when you arrived? If so, what modifications did you have to do to the bike in order to make it road legal? Any problems with the noise or emissions?

I'm currently trying to get a straight answer out of the DVLA to find out whether they'll let me register a KLR without having to do any expensive mods like change the exhaust, so it'd be a load off if you could let me know.

Thanks and happy riding.

Did you read my mind or were you stalking me in Buenos Aires??!?!?

That is pretty much a spot on rendition of my experience, too!!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

For info, unless Lufthansa's prices have gone up, it might be a similar price to fly the bike to UK. Much easier to arrange at that end too. Worth considering and getting a quote for comparison ;-)

__________________
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/davies

For info found my prices from around one year ago. As you have to pay local currency or US$ cash it's a cracking deal coming back home at 2$=£1
Info on proceedure etc on blog.

Buenos Aires Argentina – London, UK

Charges are following 1) + 2) :

1) Freight charges: Rate per Kg USD 1,80 X 500* kgs = USD 900

* 500 kgs is the standard volumen applicable Motorbikes air freight

2) Due Carrier applicable
(we estimated 260 kgs as bruto weight of the
motorbike, but it depends of the real weight
so, it may change)

PMZ__ USD _______ 32.50 _ MZ_MISCELLANEOUS HANDLING _
PSC__ USD _______33.80 _ SECURITY_CHARGE (USD 0,13/kg brutto x 260 kgs)
PMY__ USD ______130.00 _ FUEL_SURCHARGE (USD 0,50/kg brutto x 260 kgs )
PRA__ USD _______40.00 _ DANGEROUS Goods FEE_

TOTAL CHARGES WOULD BE : FREIGHT CHARGES + DUE CARRIER APPLICABLE
in this case
USD 900 + USD 236.30 (might change depending of real
weight) = total USD 1136.30 (APROX)

That's the quote I received - that's about £600 today price if rates same :-0

__________________
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/davies

Fritz's example is round about how much I THOUGHT it would be... Maybe he was lucky; maybe the quote is off the mark.

Those figures were what I would have paid, but of course the $ rate was only 1.50 rather than 2 to £ then so it was correspondingly higher then.
However...there was an error in my favour at end of day and I paid a little less - but it was due to error hence those quoted figures were real price.
Out of date now - what's going rate?
I guess at 2$=1£ it won't be £450? I wager not?
Guess more like £750 shrink wrapped on pallet?
Be helpful to know.

__________________
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/davies

We are going to fly our 2 bikes back with Lufthansa (BAs - London).
Quote/pricing I was given by email few weeks ago:

Dear Maria.

Will give you the price which is valid at present, please note per bike.

Freight rate on a volume of 500K USD 1.89 per kilo
Security charge USD 0.16 per kilo
Fuel surcharge USD 0.80 per kilo

LH handling at the airport USD60.00

Costs of our handling agent are approx 120.00USD. Payable directly to them.

For security reasons, bikes must be delivered 5/FIVE days prior to departure at the airport.

Payment of these charges is in cash, either in Argentine pesos or USD, credit cards or personal cheques cannot be accepted.

If you should need any further information please come back to us.

Hope you are enjoying the trip.

Rgds David Wright
Lufthansa Cargo AG
BUEFG/A
Buenos Aires
Tel.: 54 11 4 314 6996
Fax 54 11 4 315 2985
Email: David.Wright@dlh.de

I think it might be cheaper than by boat!!!! Also if you check the shipping pages here 2 people had been flying with them recently and final price was not too bad at all!!! For example Marcel paid USD1450 BAS to Zurich with them,(1200GS) last september(http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...eryResults.php)

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com