Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - German Customs Clearance issue

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crappybiker (Post 333375)

Hi Folks,

I have just send my bike to Frankfurt from Buenos Aires, I needed a frieght company to pick up my bike from Lufthansa, the freight company say I need a Green card insurance certificate before they can get it off Lufthansa, I have a European passport and the bike is registered in Australia, can anyone shed some light on this? I won't be there for another two months to pick up my bike from an address in Frankfurt...so I have to rely on the transport company.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated,

Thanks in Advance

It's standard operating procedure for German Customs at FRA to require a Euro Green Card insurance certificate before the bike is cleared/ released to anyone (either to you, the owner, personally, or to your freight agent).

The minimum Euro Green Card is available from any ADAC (German auto club) office. Closest ADAC office to FRA airport is ~ 5km north, Lyoner Str. 22, 60528 Frankfurt. Minimum 1 month cover= approx EUR 105.

Your agent at FRA might--or not--be willing to go get the Green Card for you at ADAC, assuming they have a copy of your bike registration to show ADAC office.

You might have to buy a minimum 1 month Green Card cover just to get the bike released so the bike can be taken to wherever you're storing it near Frankfurt. That might still be cheaper than paying Lufthansa or freight agent storage charges, waiting for you to arrive in 2 months.

Another--related--option. Contact Stefan Knopf,
Green Card, tel & email on website.
Stefan is based an hour south of FRA, and has much experience clearing bikes at FRA airport. He can either advise you on details, do the clearance for you, or advise your freight agent--probably for a reasonable fee, but his experience is worth it--in your personal circumstances.