You know how it is.....

I just got back from 5000 miles across the trans am trail and I am awake at 5am with jet lag. As I was sitting here dreaming of more biking a couple of ideas have started to form..........;-)

Can anyone give me rough prices for shipping/air freight, from the UK to either India or Turkey. Also what are the issues with importing to these countries? Carnets?

Many Thanks,

Dave

Dreaming away...........

Hi Dave

Unfortunately, we have no info on shipping from UK to Turkey or India, because it is usually a route people ride, rather than ship.

Here's my two cents worth, though. I would suggest shipping to Turkey rather than India with respect to paperwork, customs procedures, etc. India has been described as very bureaucratic. There is a large motorcycle travel community in Istanbul. Paolo Volpara and Burak Cedetas are very helpful people who will likely be able to assist with import procedures. Here are their contact details.

Also, Turkey doesn't require a carnet de passage, but India does. Depending on where you plan to travel to in Asia, you may require the carnet anyway. For example, Pakistan requires it.

Finally, Turkey is a terrific destination in its own right. See page for info on motorcycling in Turkey.

Try contacting Lufthansa Cargo in the UK, they are excellent for bike transport, and they ship to surprising places. For example, Peter Cameron shipped from Istanbul to Bangkok via Lufthansa last November, and it didn't require crating.

You can onship from Turkey to India, which some folks did to bypass the Middle East. Burak Cedetas provided <A HREF="http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tripplan/transport/shipping-asia.php#IstanbulToIndia" TARGET=_blank>
info in Oct/01</A> on this procedure. Pakistan Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates ship from Turkey to India, approx. $1,300 US in a crate.

Good luck with your trip plans, and please let us know how you go!


------------------
Susan Johnson

"It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get Results or Roses."
Edgar Guest

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com



[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 10 August 2003).]

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Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com