First, I hope this is not violating any of the forum terms.

Second, this is just in the planning stages. Nothing is signed yet. So consider this to be in the realm of " possibilities."

Friend of mine in Oregon USA is planning to send 20-foot dry container to Chile (Valpo or San Antonio ports - won't know for a while). We can change to 40 foot if there is dedicated interest. This is one-way only. He is not going to completely fill the crate with his stuff and mine, so........

Planning date - plan to seal container about January 2011 and probable arrival Chile about February.

Possible space for 3-4 crated bikes. Bikes have to be partially knocked down, zero fuel and batteries out in separate box in crate. Crate must be plywood sided and constructed so that there is no visibility into inside of crate. Crate and manifest to be labeled as " motorcycle parts."

Anticipated share costs about US$600 for container space only for a bike sized crate. Your insurance share will be additional and insurance is required. Containers have been known to fall from ships. And other silt does happen. Also.... any other port fees like drayage and storage and whatnot to be shared also. So your total costs might come out to be US$900 or so -- can't tell just yet. This assumes that you will be at the port on arrival day with your passport and bike ownership papers and that you will not need a customs agent -- that is usually the case with temporary import into Chile. You get 90 days if you are nonresident of Chile. It usually takes 1-3 days to work your way through the temporary import wickets.

If you want to ship a jeep/pickup or other cage-type or trailer vehicle then let us know because we can negotiate with shipper for a 40-foot container, maybe even a hi-cube container for a tallish trailer or pickup camper shell. I would expect share cost of space for a pickup or 20-foot trailer to be about US$1000 plus other port related fees, so figure maybe US$1500 to 1800 or so for filling half of the 40-foot container with such vehicle.

The door opening for a high-cube container is as follows: 2340mm wide and 2597mm high (door opening height is 7 ft 8 inches)

Just looking for expressions of possible interest at this point. This is not yet a done deal. I don't check messages often so be patient. Send query to me c/o patagonia2004 at h*tmail.

If this sort of message conflicts with the forum terms please provide guidance and I will clean up my act. Thanks.

Let me advise something in your favor. Bikes does not need to be crated inside a container. Only put them transverse along the container and strapped to the hooks every 4 feet apart . Each bike should use about 3 feet of space. A 20ft container will fit between 5-6 bikes (assuming regular 100 cc dual purpose bikes)

One more thing, I don't think is good idea to label a crate as 'motorcycle parts'. Custom in Chile is tough and not low mind. In adding that statement you are basically lying to custom. When it comes to 'parts' the box should contain 'parts' not a whole nice bike. Then you will have problems since the contains to be different as specified and they'll give you a hard time for sure. Regarding the crates, they'll make you open the boxes to check the contents, so is no ppoint to crate a bike after all unless is shipped loose as a Ro-Ro item.
The is nothing wrong with a tourist to take a bike down there or elsewhere. No duties or nationalization are required. What I am recommending is, every rider should carry their own paperwork as separated bills of lading. In short words, your container is shared by many, and everyone is responsible for their own bike (of course, everyone should be together the day of bike release at the port). Chile is fast on this process, 24 hours and you are out. The problem ussually is the ship unload, sometimes the ship must wait a day or two to dock. (just guessing but it happens).

Hi,
I'm about to ship a car out of San Francisco to Chile -- e.g. Valparaiso.
I'm looking for folks to share a container, and for any other advice.
Contact me at andy.hessling at gmail.com