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US to Vladivostok
Hello! I am new to this forum and read through a bunch of posts on this topic, but I am a bit unclear. I also tried the search engine, but it appears as if it is not working. I live in California and would like to ship my bike to the Vladivostok (area)...but could go to other places near. From what I understand, it may be a better idea to go to Korea and take a ferry. I like that idea for the issue of Customs as well as getting to see Korea before my trip.
I have a couple of questions that I hope that the people on this forum can help out. 1. Is this the best route -- California, Korea, Russia? I want to ride across and into Europe during the trip. 2. If so, are there recommendations for a freight company? 3. About how long does it take? I live near Los Angeles and can easily get the bike there. 4. How long does the ferry take? 5. What are the approximate costs? Thanks so much and I certain I will learn a great deal from this thread! Chris |
I also would like to know these things!
I'll be going the other way. As far as I can tell so far it will cost circa $4k - $5k all in between Sokcho ferry port and Vancouver. Current wisdom seems to be that the best bet for linking USA with Vlad is indeed via Korea. I've had no luck finding a direct option between Vlad and USA. Going from Korea, AeroKorea seems to be the popular choice. Al |
Here's the deal.
You know that what Aero Korea is quoting is what it will cost you. BUT if you were to enter Vlad directly based on a lower shipping cost...what you'll end up paying to get your bike out of customs in Vlad will be a lot more expensive...including a week at a hotel, etc. Hotels in Vlad run about $100 at the cheap end. I would be more adventurous if I were shipping out of Vlad...but if you ask the local Russian bikers(contact via the HU Vlad Community)...they'll advise you that Korea is the more reliable option. Yeah the price sucks via Korea...but it is what it is...and I hope it changes. |
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Are you planning to to this summer? If so, you better get busy with arrangements pretty soon. If you ship by sea to Busan, Korea, it will be a lot cheaper than air freight. But check on both. LA is a major trading port, so you should have plenty of options. The phone may be a better option that trying to e-mail shippers. Sometimes they don't reply promptly, if at all... The ferry takes 17 hours according to this article: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...ley/002108.php I think the ferry is about $200 per person + cargo fee for the bike. |
Sokcho,Korea to Anchorage
I've been looking into getting my bike shipped from Vladivostok to Anchorage in September and after numerous emails and phone calls to Korean shipping companies (my sister-in-law speaks Korean :thumbup1: ) this is the best that I've been able to come up with so far.
Hanjin (a large world-wide shipping company) will pick the bike up at the ferry dock in Sokcho and transport it by bonded truck to Seoul (Inchon) for about $700 US including custom fees, airport fees, etc. They insist that it be wood crated, however. From there it can go either Korean Air or Northwest Air to Anchorage. I have not investigated other US destinations. Also, I have not investigated whether this will work in reverse, but don't see why it wouldn't. Korean Air rates are $2.80/kg, 1,600 kg minimum. Northwest's rates are $2.80/kg, 600 kg minimum, so a significant savings. Not sure why there is any premium and I am not just paying the cubed weight, but that seems to be the case. But in any event, according to Hanjin, (and the best I can figure out) the difference between the two airlines is due to the fact that Korean Air has a regular daily shipping schedule to Anchorage and Northwest's is on a "confirmed" basis. My impression is that in a practical sense, it just means that you have to book a specific schedule with NW and cannot merely show up at Incheon and expect it to go out on the next flight. For a $2,800 savings, I can be flexible. My last email from Hanjin suggests that if I notify them when it is leaving Vladivostok (or Zarubino) on the ferry, then they will make arrangements and confirm with NW. I tried dealing directly with Korean Air, but they insist I handle everything through an agent, and would give no indication of their rates. They only confirmed that they would handle the cargo. I have not contacted NW directly, but seem to be getting the straight goods from Hanjin. And as it seems that they will be able able to handle everything from Sokcho to Anchorage, I'll probably stick with them. My contact at Hanjin is Kim Deok Kyung, deokkkim {AATT} hanjin {DDOTT} co {DDOTT} kr . Mr. Kim I think is trying pretty hard for me. Seems to be a nice guy, and gets back right away if I have a question. Might be an option for some. |
Very interesting. Keep us posted!
This was the info I got from Wendy at AeroKorea:- Dear Alistair Jan.29.2009 Good day Thanks for your inquiry. Yes i can help you to arrange it from ICN(INCHEON AIRPORT) to USA OR CANADA Last year the approx air freight was ABT USD3000-USD4000(ALL IN RATE) It include trucking charge from SOK CHO port to ICN airport & packing charge in korea & air freight & custom clearance charge & etc (Base on cargo's size and fuel sur_charge(airline's changeable rate base on current fuel rate)) Kindly note. If you have any question, please let me know Thanks and best regards Wendy.choi/aero int'l/sel |
AeroKorea?
Is AeroKorea the same as Korean Air? Can't seem to find any information about AeroKorea on the web ???
Thanks... |
I'm probably confusing things - think they may actually be called aero international.
Her email is aerokorea at unitel dot co dot kr I don't think it's the same as korean air. Haven't found a website. |
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Korean Air is the cargo airline...and they get their cargo shipments from the shipping agents/freight forwarder. In some cases, they'll help you arrange the shipping...and in other cases, they prefer you deal with a shipping agent. The Hanjin connection is good news, although the price for trucking the bike to Incheon is a bit high....$200 too high. |
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If I remember right, you can ride in Korea, though you may have to pay a refundable bond. |
Yes...ride your bike to Seoul...and you do have to pay a deposit/bond that's refundable...as well as temporary insurance.
Either the Dong Chung ferry folks or your shipping company out of Korea can help you arrange. Ask them BEFORE you arrive in Sochko so they can make arrangements for you. The Koreans are very helpful, but very particular. Whatever you do...do NOT cough when you enter the ferry terminal in Sochko;) |
Why truck - Sokcho to Incheon
Trucking seems to be the way a lot of people do it. You might be right that riding is an option, but you have hit the nail on the head for me. I probably will be squeezed for time (weather in Alaska) and will likely be scraping the bottom of the available cash barrel by then.
Also, it was my understanding that provisions need to be made for truck/trailer transport at some point as it is not permitted to ride on the motorway that leads to the airport. |
Korean deposit
Well... maybe I should think about it. Any idea what the deposit might be or what it's based on? And what the insurance costs are?
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Yes...but depends on where you crate your motorbike. You won't crate it at the airport...you'll crate it outside Incheon area...so you ride you bike there...again, this is something your shipping agent will help you with. You'll get your money's worth with your shipping agent when its all said and done;)
BUT I don't know how you'll survive the NT/Yukon/BC and Alaska in September... I was up there in mid September 2007...and ran into some snow...with no heated gear or proper clothing for temps around then. So check the weather forecasts... BUT the bigger issue I ran into was that some of the food stores/gas stations on the AlCan sometimes start closing early September...so always presume you'll go 500 miles without fuel stops in September. |
Collecting Rates for Air and Sea Freight
Thanks for everyone's advice so far. It looks like for me the sea freight looks the best (read cheap and I have time). I will post some of the costs I have collected from the west coast of US to Busan when they get back to me. Chris.
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