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.