Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Transport
Which USA ports to ship to from Europe? Which USA ports to ship to from Europe?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Transport Shipping the vehicle and yourself.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Like Tree7Likes
  • 2 Post By mark manley
  • 1 Post By markharf
  • 1 Post By Flipflop
  • 3 Post By Flipflop

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Jul 2022
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Posts: 71
Which USA ports to ship to from Europe?
I'm looking into shipping my R1200GS to the USA for an upcoming trip down to Argentina and I was wondering what ports most people ship to?

I am not too hellbent on East or West coast although I would prefer the east coast as it takes less flying to get there :-)

LA and NYC seemingly are the biggest ports but are they also the "best" to ship to?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Jul 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
As far as I know any port in Canada is better than one in the US, it is apparently easier to get through customs and I can say having shipped a bike to Halifax NS and flown one to Vancouver Canada is very easy, I would advise Halifax if that is an option.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Jul 2022
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Posts: 71
Thanks. Will have a look. Kinda anxious about shipping my bike someplace where the borders can be closed at a moments notice though.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Jul 2022
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,987
You're planning a trip to Argentina, which involves a minimum of eleven (and a maximum of infinite) border crossings. Any of them are subject to moments-notice closures. I'm not going to try to tell you what to worry about or not, but organizing shipping around the possibility that the US/Canada border will shut down seems a bit disproportionate. Canadian ports are typically far less hassle, so if all else is comparable I'd go with Mark Manley's suggestions.

Of course it all depends on time of year--in mid-winter I'd shoot for Houston, L.A., Miami or similar, while summertime in Miami is IMO a good approximation of pure hell, with New York a close runner-up (and Montreal sometimes not far behind). The question of where you'd like to ride is also important--Halifax is a good bet for exploring the Maritimes; Vancouver closest to Alaska, B.C., and the Yukon; L.A. or Houston if determined to cross into Mexico as efficiently as possible.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Jul 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 450
Hi
We are shipping into North America in September so my research is current.
By sea is a real problem at the moment for several reasons - shortages of empty containers, dock staff to off load them etc…. And the prices have increased a lot.
RoRo remains an option.
Flying bikes has pretty much doubled in price.
However Transat are offering the fly with your bike deal at pretty much the same price as pre-Covid. We are going through Motorcycle Express and they have been excellent so far.
It’s Paris to Montreal for us but there are other options.

You could ship into South America and go the other way, I don’t think shipping has been affected so much or so I have been told.

Good luck
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Sep 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 450
In the end we air shipped from Paris to Montreal using Motorcycle Express. They were excellent, the whole process was quick, easy and comparatively cheap - if you use Transat Airlines.
I don’t normally like recommending anything because everyone is different but I will make an exception, this time and highly recommend Motorcycle Express and Transat.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to ship my bike from Bangkok to Europe?? Lonely Lynx Trip Transport 7 2 Oct 2017 17:09
B2 Visa questions. How long can I spend in the USA? nickdisjunkt North America 14 13 May 2016 08:35
Ship or buy ... Australians in USA rohdster Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 14 May 2013 02:37
Help - USA insurance for Europe citizens pweigand Trip Paperwork 2 20 Oct 2011 18:41

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top