Bike from Malaysia to Indonesia?
 

This seems to be a bit of a problem, people and guidebooks say theres "ferries" going, but it seems theyre for passengers, and may only accept scooters, not big bikes.

I've found one (cargo boat) from Penang to Belawan, will take it, if I cant find anything more suitable. But this would mean more traveling for us in both Malaysia and Indonesia (we're a bit short on time already). And they will close down for nearly 2 weeks for Chinese New Year, so their last sailing before that will be 31st Jan - so their vacation will be right about the time we were thinking of going!

Also found (from this site) a shipment made from Melaka to Dumai, and it actually sounded ok, but this info was from Oct 2006, and you know how quickly these things change. Just yesterday I talked to a German biker in Penang, and he told me he was in Melaka about Sept 2007, and couldnt find anyone capable of carrying his bike over! Also heard about a car ferry from somewhere, that apparently is no more.

So, are there at the moment any convenient (and trustworthy) services between Malaysia / Indonesia, if you need to get your bike with you? And anyone know, if this Chinese festival is likely to put all cargo ships on hold, or its more likely to be a problem only in Penang?

And about registering to the police authorities in Indonesia, some say you must, and others tell you to keep as far away from the cops as you can... I think I'll opt for the latter, but any suggestions are welcome!

dear pecha72,

in malaysia they have 3 ports where u can ship your bike to indonesia, melaka, stulang laut and port klang..the best practise is u have to get the shipping or port agent to do all the clearence with the local authority and cargo. u still can do by yourself but it will take such along time. and if u planning to go there make sure u do a week before the chinese new year holiday.

Don't ship to Dumai!

Read here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ia-to-oz-24932

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ant-info-23686

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ndonesia-23687

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ith-bike-18937

Just met a couple of Aussies and they shipped with an onion freighter Medan - Port Klang (I think).

Get your 2 month visa before crossing, you can extend it one month.

Good luck and make sure to post your experience here and in the shipping database.

ok, thanks (a lot!)... I wasnt too well informed about troubles associated with going to Dumai. Again a bit contradictory, because some have claimed they've gone through there ok. Maybe they've just got lucky!!

But I'm slowly accepting the fact that Mr.Lim's service from Penang might be the best, as everyone who's used it says it works fine. The journey will be longer, and we will land more north in Sumatra than we'd like to... but still all good, if it means less hassle with the authorities!

I actually visited their office last week, and they seem to know their stuff. There was a German biker shipping with them from Belawan that same day, and 2 Aussies who were about to take their Transalps to Indonesia.

We also asked the Indonesian consulate in Penang, and they said we can get 2 month visas from there in one day.

Does anyone have Mr Lims contact info ??

Any idea on best ways to try a non carnet import ??

I am sure it being Indo money beats (lack of) paperwork in the 3rd world custms rock paper scissors game.. Would be nice to have some local agents who could help with greasing the wheels.

Cakra shipping info, I found this in my email:
cakrashipping@gmail.com

And you can find all their contact details from the shipping pages, several shipments with them listed there.

The carnet was almost the first thing they asked (at Cakra Shipping!) and I wouldnt want to try going to Indonesia without one. Anyway, this route would be the only one I´d use.

I heard lots of bad stories about big problems importing bikes to Indonesia, like in Jakarta airport or Surabaya harbour, and even when people HAVE had carnets! This Penang-Belawan route seems to work ok with carnet, without one, I dont know.

There was someone at gt-rider.com forums I think, who managed to do that, but was a big hassle, and took him days to get the bike.

Thanks for that.

At the risk of doubling up what may be in the shipping pages:

CARKA SHIPPING TRADING
187, third floor
Lebuh Pantai
10300 PULAU PANTAI

Boats go Monday and Thursday. Sailing Thursday risks you getting stuck in Medan for the weekend.

Mr Lim's phone: 042625879 or mob 0124709717


In Indo the agent is:

PT MELDA JAYA
JL. BANGKA TIMUR No 49
BELAWAN
tel 77671410 (may have to add a city code here)
mob 811615997

Beware of "helpers" and rip-off merchants in the customs office. Expect to pay customs about 150000, not 500000.

Thanks, I found them this morning and have sent emails to them and another agent..

Also contacting the ATA people to see how they calculate bonds..

should be PULAU PINANG in that address. Probably wont matter much, unless your going to send them a postcard...

Lebuh Pantai is close to the passenger ferry terminal, the next street into town, thats running parallel to the one going to the ferry terminal. Can walk there from Chinatown or Little India.

Cakra Shipping handled everything ok for us. And even the bike stayed safe a couple of days in Belawan port (even though everyone seemed to know, where the customs were keeping it!) There are a lot of scammers there, so beware!

I realize theres lots of scammers.. Thats part of the Indo experience !!

Hi,
 

when are u shipping ur bike to indo, im in KL.
If you need any help just ask....:clap:

My cousin is in penang & actually I just found out that he was working at the wharf where all overlanders use to ship bikes!

& yes Mr Lim is the 'MAN'

I would love to hear any info that a local could drum up about a thai regged bike without a carnet getting over...

Malay bikes are apparently allowed.. But the 'no carnet' issue on a Thai bike is going to be a problem that required an indonesian haggle.. Mr Lim has said he will transport the bikes but the Indo customs would be up to us. Local contacts or negotiations could help a lot.

I was also wondering if its easier getting into Batam or over there ?? Its a free trade zone.. Once into indo we can overland and use internal boats easy I figure. Its just that initial border.

Are any of the ferry services that do Batam or nearby from Sing or Malaysia a RORO service or carry motorcycles for locals ?? Do you see Malay or Sing registrations on the roads in Batam at all ??

I wouldnt go to Batam. You´ll first need some ferry to carry your bike there, and then you´ll need another one to get anywhere. MAYBE you could go to Jakarta from there, but those ´mysterious´ Pelni-ships (which are supposed to operate all around Indonesia), their timetables, and whether or not they will carry motorcycles or not, were a joke.

If you got half a year to spend in the country, then maybe Pelni ships can take you somewhere, but getting any accurate information about anything regarding them was really frustrating (and nearly impossible). Ok, we were travelling at the height of the rainy season, and the seas were not calm, so that might have affected things a bit. Still I would say they are not making it very easy for the occasional tourist.

And I dont think going to Batam would make it any easier for you to enter with a bike, if you dont have a carnet. Dumai was also one place where several people warned us not to go. Belawan is the only port that I know of, where Ive actually heard its been done without a carnet, but I still wouldnt count on succeeding. Other options, however, seem even worse. I hope you will make it, though, but be prepared for a true test of patience.

Our situation is we have time.. Planning 3 months with a break in the middle in bali for a few weeks while the girls fly down to stay with us.

I was thinking Batam as being so much closer in ferry time I wondered if Batam had more vehicle traffic / movement between countries.. If a customs point sees many many malay bikes transiting daily duty free in a roro type setting, I figured they may be easier on a Thai bike coming through or with a smaller bribe, its more a normal daily thing. At the ports where the only vehicles they see are the global tourers, the bulk of which all have a carnet, it makes it that much more of a brick wall.

I realized Batam to Java would take more time in boat options, but we have time and anything that can get us into the country even if it slowed us down a week or two is doable. I am kind of concerned that anywhere crossing into Indo is just going to be a flat out brick wall. We have even discussed heading to Malaysian borneo to see if the Malay / Indo border there is more porous.

All reports, however vague, on transit options, or sightings of where Malay vehicles move are very welcome.

I could be wrong, but there seemed to be very little tourist traffic (with their own vehicles) going between Malaysia and Indonesia.

If you got plenty of time, I´d most definitely try from Penang first, and if that fails, then think about other options.

As I said before, I heard about people being stuck in Indonesian customs in places like Jakarta airport, WITH a carnet, which was very surprising but maybe gives you a bit of an idea how randomly they work (that, on the other hand, might give you a possibility to enter, if you´re lucky!)

Do note that bribing the customs may not be so easy at all, especially when/if you dont know who to pay. I dont think they spoke very good English, so it might be complicated.

Rock_N_Roll :)
 

Sorry, folks, I should have written it long ago. Two other stories are on the way - Nepal-Thailand and East Timor-Darwin :)

Cargo-report
Malaisia (Port Dixon) - Indonesia (Dumai)

11.08.07

PD MARINE SERVICES SND.BHD
office no42A, Wisma YBH, Jalan Mahajaya,
PD Centre Point, Peti Surat 51

71007 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus,
Malaysia.

Contact person- ZAHARI OTHMAN,
operation manager

mob 016-6044 344
fax 606-647 3280
e-mail ybhpd@yahoo.com

95 ringits for my ticket, 250 - for my motocycle*
Port Dixon (Malaisia) - Dumai (Indonesia)


Port Dixon is a small port between Kuala-Lumpur and Melaka, it's located at the end of route 5, exit 209 from the Main Thailand Highway E1-E2.
High-speed sea passenger boats go from Port Dixon the same as they do from any other port at the shore. The only difference is that Zaharia can place your motocycle on one of them and all others can't.
The pier is not the best in the world and you'd better ask Zaharia use the next one to load your motocycle. And only after that to let passengers to get aboard. As you might find it slightly inconvenient to ride down the stairs above the sea to land on the little ground 1.5x1.5 and after that totarget your front wheel at the tiny little door of passengers salon while the boat is jumping on the beam sea. :)
Local folks are very friendly. In orger not to waste my time, Zaharia's staff bought a ticket for me, brought a customer officer to stamp the cornet and even tried to feed me all the time.
The boat goes once a day at about 10-11 a.m. If you get there, please, say hi to Zarharia.
:)
Unfortunately, you can't see hunderds of wooden onion boats in malasian porst any longer. They've changed something in indonesian laws and this business is almost dead. Sad Abu standing on an empty pier in Sungai Rambai said that the last boat had left about... a month and a half ago.
Passenger boats are along the whole coast line - I have seen them from Port Klang to Melakka - but their owners don't want to take a motocycle explaining that indonesian customs won't allow it to Indonesia and that just a week ago one guy tried to and I had to take my boat back and you will have to go back together with your motocycle. And that there is a special indonesian law forbidding motocycles in and that you need a special letter from indonesian embassy - IT'S ALL NOT TRUE. I didn't understand all the details but to my mind they just don't want to think how much a ticket will be and how to get the motocycle on a boat.
That's it :). That's what we call being relaxed :)
Summing up I should say that at any unusual (read: inconvenient) situation the first answer you will get is "no!". Don't give up - you will always find the right solution for you.

-------
* Had to think real quick how much the ticket for my motocycle will cost. Based on the weight - if I am 90 kg and my ticket is 95 ringits, how much will it be for 240 kg of my moto-belongings? That's right - 250 ringits :)
If you don't give them a clear logical system of calculating the price, theywill base it on some fantasies and this won't make any good for you at all.

-------
To brighten up my story:)
Port Melaka, a small passenger pier, empty office units, very dark evening and not a single person for 800 meters around. From the waiting room, the door being opened with his butt, through a square piece of light a man appears going backwards with a bucket and a duster cleaning the stairs.
My translation of our conversation :)
- Hey, boss! Is it that the boats to Melaka here?
- Sure, mister. You go away now. You come back in the morning. Noone's here.
- When will someone appear here?
- Well... You come by 9 and you will find out. Where do you wanna go?
- To Indonesia.
- Well... I understand that not to the South Pole. What port do you need?
- To Dumai, I guess.
- There will be a boat to Dunai at 10. Every day at 10.
- Will my motocycle fit in?
- No, absolutely not. Can't take motocycles. Not allowed.
- How's not allowed? It's written on the website...
- Not allowed for sure!! I tell you.
- Wait, wait. Maybe there will be some person in the morning who knows better? And how come you know everything, who are you, an honoured duster-cleaner?
- Mister! I am the security officer of this port. And.. uh.. the duster-cleaner... well... do it part time as our cleaner got really pissed yesterday. So what do you think - is there anyone here who knows better than I do?
Well, I thought. Shit happens. Gotta go back to Port Klang that's almost near Kuala-Lumpur where I came from earlier. There is a big port there. I will find something.
Went to Port Dixon to stay for the night. This is a local name, don't mix it up with the place in Zapolarie. There was a local bikers festival on August 4th, in the pub called.. uh.. Grey Eagle? Well, some sort of eagle anyway, everybody knows where it is. On the programm - whose tuning is most crazy, who can do the slowest drive and who can get pissed real fast... All very serious and friendly. At the end I even heard malasians singing karaoke Hotel California in a choir with a celestial melanholy in their eyes. Horrifying.
Oh. Port Klang is a huge port. It's so huge that there are three of them - and you can't really figure out on which of them you are now - the Northern, the Eastern and the Just Klang. The first and the second are useless - plenty of conteiner ships, security pretending to be serious and suspicious, no agents and everything is kinda large-capacity. If you ask me, the only thing that makes the whole place running safe is their ****ing mentality - noone really knows anything. They don't know how to get from the Northern Klang to the Eastern. They don't know where the passengers or cargo pier is. They even don't know in what port this pier is and if there are any piers at all.
Somehow managed to find a passengers pier in the Just Klang.
First tried to find out how much a ticket for my motocycle will be. Then Lame Leg came - a very loud lady who was bitten by a sharq in her childhood as port taxi-drivers always say. Well, I would say to this sharq - looser! First learn how to bite and after that call yourself a predator. As this loud lady survived andstarted speaking to me with long explanation about the letter. And being shown the letter with allowed destinations from the indonesian embassy she changed the software in her brain and started calling everyone her agents and sending me with them to different places - to the customs or some other useful official offices. Me... being send to places... She probably did hoped that I will get lost on the way there.
After that another guy appeared. A sales... marriage... well... some kind of an agent, strangely insinuating, with a business card, he looked at me and said - why are you talking to them, bebahshid? Their mentality is lame. She is good but she is kindalame, you know.
I say - everything is lame here, where is the main main boss. I mean the very main, the mainest. Munching his main lunch? Show him to me now.
The main main boss turned out to be a sea cowboy from the polish movie about russian military forces. I mean he has tatoos on the chest, guts to look significant and even a proper anamnesis but... you know... something felt wrong.
Here you go. He is not the main main boss. He is just the main cashier but it doesn't keep him from bossing around with an attemp to get some money and celebrate a succesfull end of another working day. As---le (oops, pardon my french, folks). And at this very moment it happened to be 5 o'clock and the working day was over. I guess not very successfully for all the heroes of this story.
The next day.
I appear and some expert appears. First thing he calls somewhere. Having understood that to wait on the phone will cost him grey hair he takes me to the port on his motocycles. A small office for cargo transportation on onion boats... well, these boats also happen to be sheep boats, potato boats, fish boats and other hell-knows-what wooden old boots. A woman with a scarf on her head starts making orders to her staff - an indo-girl and mala-boy. They start calling somewhere and find out that there is a boat. Maybe. On Thursday. And today is Monday. Gotta wait. Can I go with my motocycle, I ask. Well, they answer, if the captain is in a good mood. Well, sounds like a plan. But not a good one. Ok, I say, I will come back tomorrow. If you call me it will be expensive as it's a roaming through Moscow. So I can call you on a public phone but I'd better come tomorrow in person to see you. Yes! Don't be naive. If you don't get on their ass and on their nerves with your kind eyes looking hopefully at their faces (and in their brain) they won't lift a finger to do anything.
The next day.
Came over, zero information. Two hours of waiting to get this zero information. Went away.
The next day.
See above.
The next day.
A very long zero day with following the captain, examining the onion boat, listening to the complains that there is no information, that boats come and go and they don't have any idea where and when. ****ing A. This port was built just for the fun of it. I asked a question - is it Friday tomorrow, isn't it the right time? They say, yes, yes, yes, the very right time, mister, the time when all your dreams will come true.

The next day.
Bummer!
As the marriage (read: sales) agent warned me that I gotta go myself with my motocycle and not deal with illeagal helpers. And it turned out that all the boats were going past the indonesian customs and that's why they couldn't get me there. But! There came a "but" from info-girl who started to show a high level of eagerness to help me. Her "but" meant that there was one empty boat that goes to Dumai. And the captain doesn't mind taking my motocycle. And she also has one indonesian friend who can help me (yeah, right... when I saw this friend I felt that you really shouldn't trust him your old and stinky socks to say nothing of any other help with any other personal belongings). Do you understand malasian, asked the girl. And what is your budget? We sent one guy a year ago and he paid 2000 rupiahs. Miss, I said, how much you think is one hour of helicopter rent? As 2000 rupiahs is apprx. 555.555555 dollars.
Custom officer appeared and said - no, you need to get your boat ticket with a stamp. Otherwise I won't allow you to go. And where were you two days ago? Well, he said, I was just asked about it now.
Here you go. India, part two. Been there, done that.
After that I went to Abu to Sungai Rambai. Abu called Dixon.
--------
In Port Klang the following things were stolen one after another
1. my beloved matt with yellow laces that I bought at Elbrus in 1995 when I was shooting another Guiness record. It was fastened on the top and was used as a cooler as it was in a tent bag and a bottle of cold water fit it perfectly. My friend, I will never forget you.
2. combination pliers from the tool bag on the steering wheel. During the day!
3. they would steal the bag itself but alarm woke me up. I jumped out, looking sleepy yet hostile. There was a tall and skinny indian sitting on the table next to my bike and pretending that it wasn't his business at all. I am sitting here and smoking, his honest eyes were trying to tell me. When I started explaining him very emotionally what his useless head would go through now, two hotel staff guys appeared and the jerk took off and dissapeared in the darkness. He unfastened plastic locks outside the bag but I am not that stupid to make it that simple :). The bag fixed so that noone could take it off.
It all happened at the hotel. I fastened the motocycle with a chain but you can't really see it from the window because of the door roof. The reception is on the second floor, the door is on the first. All other hotels are even worse, either farther than 5 km or more than 100 dollars per night.
A nice and friendly town if you ask me :)
Hopefully, all other world is full of combination pliers
---------
As soon your boat touches Indonesian land another horror story begins as a bunch of locals rushes through the door. Faster-faster-faster, mister! Go-go-go! They will close the customs - you will never get your visa - Indonesia will be closed for you - and you will stay here forever (and die) :). This is how Dumai porters work. Each of them is a customs agent, an expert on local problems, a banker, a security guard and a gangster. Achtung! Ahctung! If you are not in time, you are late :)
Relax! Take your luggage and to go the pier. Look as if you are the only one here and enternity is waiting for you to make you journey devine. If they see that, they will dissapear in a couple of minutes and you will be able to get you bike without any rush. Everything in this country can wait. Even eternity :), to say nothing of a customs officer.
And when you enter a empty room you will get everything what you need - 25 dollar visa, a stamp "used" on it, your passport number typed in their computer and another stamp "arrived at...".
- Very good afternoon, mister, this person will accompany you to the customs that is 1 km from here so that you don't get lost (silly tourist), I mean, we are REALLY pleased to meet you here :)
---------------

PS. To register your bike in local police is not necessary even though they will insist and recommend you to do so.

PSS. Thanks to all who has read to the end. :)

Yours respecfully,

Dmitry Shalganov

Honda Africa Twin

Ушел в бедуины.

5:28 p.m. Perth, Australia

;)

Am I correct in thinking you had all this hassle even with a carnet ?? (you mention a customs guys stamping a cornet so I assume so).. I am hearing it will be fairly easy to transit with one.

Also assume you mean Malay Ringgits when you say 2000 Rupiah as from memory 2000 Indo rp should be about 20 - 25 cents US ?!?!

Thanks for the report.. Just goes to show the struggle on this border.. And part of why I was hunting for any RORO service even if its into a part of Indonesia thats then harder to get out to main islands from.

Rock_N_Roll
 

..Here I am,
at the edge of the continent,
my feet in water,
thinking - when will it be the time for 'Micheline' to start producing 'J.Christ' tyres ?! :)

And carnet is in my hand
and the money in the other.
And it was the evening of the 5th day... :)


Yes, sorry, one thousand pardons - ringgits, of cause,
not rupiahs.

BTW, if your bike is smaller, perhaps,
it will be easier for you as they put their bikes inside by hand. But when they see my "africa" - here we go..

There is no need to worry about the Indonesian islands.
There are big car ferries going between big ones like the ferry between
Kale and Dover. You drive in - have lunch - drive out,
no problems at all.
And there are plenty of boats going between small ones.
It's an islands country and it's all set up long ago.


Yours respecfully,

Dmitry Shalganov

Honda Africa Twin

Ушел в бедуины.

I believe you can be right about island-hopping over there right now, as its the dry season.

We were there in January/February, and it was a different story altogether. The seas were at their worst during that time, and there had been 40-foot waves between Bali and more eastern islands. Boats were cancelled, and no-one knew exactly when they may or may not leave (this might not depend so much on the season, though, but maybe there are more departures, when the weather is better)...

The Pelni ships were a joke, no-one knew anything solid about them, even at the Pelni offices, in the end we werent able to use them at all. Even if they knew something, which was rare, it was only about arrivals/departures into their nearest port, and the next port, they always told us to go ask there. Check out their so-called website, maybe you´ll see what I mean.

They might be ok, if you got lots and lots of time, but for us it was not possible to wait for days and weeks, if some ship would sail in the near future. Some said Pelni ships will transport a motorbike, others denied sharply that this will definitely NOT be possible. Who knows, maybe it just depends on whether you are able to bribe the right persons at the port... another thing, where you got as many answers as you made questions.

Boats between Sumatra-Java, and Java-Bali worked okay, but eastwards from Bali, it really seemed to get all too complicated, time-consuming and possibly dangerous. They do have lots of sinkings every year, no wonder when you look at those rust-buckets that they dare call oceangoing vessels! I didnt like the idea of spending a night on such a ship, going from Flores to Kupang, on possibly stormy seas at all.

We actually ended up shipping to Oz from Bali.

Is there any news on the shipping front Malaysia - Indonesia? The onion boats apparently don't go any more.

they still exist
 

[quote=beddhist;
CARKA SHIPPING TRADING
187, third floor
Lebuh Pantai
10300 PULAU PANTAI

Boats go Monday and Thursday. Sailing Thursday risks you getting stuck in Medan for the weekend.

Mr Lim's phone: 042625879 or mob 0124709717


In Indo the agent is:

PT MELDA JAYA
JL. BANGKA TIMUR No 49
BELAWAN
tel 77671410 (may have to add a city code here)
mob 811615997

Beware of "helpers" and rip-off merchants in the customs office. Expect to pay customs about 150000, not 500000.[/quote]

Hey Peter I just spoke to Mr Lim, He is still in business!
The 'Vege Boat' service is still available, every Monday and Thusday.
From Penang to Belawan(Medan) aprrox sailing time is 16hrs!(freight/doc/port fees) RM350
You have to take the passengger Ferry or fly instead, once reach there look for their agent.
Expect not to pay more than RM200.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CARNET for Indo or else you have to pay a BOMB!!

Thanks Osama for all your efforts, including sending me an SMS! I'm still in Mae Sot, Thailand and will be here until some time in September. This weekend we are going to test a few bikes and look at one for sale. Departure planned for about November, but we won't get down your way until about March, I guess.

See you on the road,
Peter.

Nz
 

Interesting thread...lots of good imfo.
Bedist...when do u think you will arrive in NZ?
Iam here now.but heading for Australia soon.
Hope to transport a bike up into asia.
Mayebe pass you en-route.

Kev,

Assuming we will enter Indo some time around May, 3 months max allowed in Indo (although I have been told that it's possible to further extend visas) that gets us to August. Further assuming my partner can get an Oz visa we may be back in Godzone about October/November next year.

Then again, having just learned that there are ferries between Java and Borneo and between Borneo and Philippines we may just take a little detour. No plans have been made for this, though.

Just out of interest: anyone shipped between Malaysia & Indonesia lately? Did you use the Cakra Shipping boat between Penang and Belawan (it´s still operating or no?), or possibly some other ports?

As of February -08, that particular route seemed like the only reasonably straightforward way to go, especially when going to Indonesia. They will require a carnet (though there was this one guy at gt-rider.com, who managed to get there without one, but not after a massive test of patience between him & Indo customs!)

While in Indonesia, we met a German biker, who´s bike had been airlifted from Taiwan (hadn´t been allowed entry there, either) to Jakarta, where it was stuck at customs, even though he had carnet. They claimed he´ll need a recommendation letter from the freakin United Nations!!! And we also met an Italian, who had had his bike stuck several weeks at Surabaya seaport, and roughly the same story: all papers ok, but customs simply refusing entry into Indonesia.

Also heard about travellers having a hard time clearing their vehicles in Dumai, but some seem to have gone through there ok. But in general, it did seem like the point of entry to Indonesia needs to be chosen very carefully, even if you have the carnet. Will probably be easier, if going from Indo to Malaysia.

And do not take for granted, if it says ´ferry´ in internet or some guidebook, as it may or may not refer to a ship with a cardeck. The bigger/heavier the bike that you got, the bigger the problems you may encounter, if you want to get it transported on passenger-only ships. A one-cylinder thumper for example, that can be easily lifted to/from the boat with a little help from a few people, will be a lot easier to get going.

Indonesia is worth a little hassle, without a doubt one of the most interesting and beautiful countries I´ve ever visited.

Yes, I believe my friend Gilles just crossed the usual way a few weeks ago. I'm still waiting to hear from him.

Cheers,
Peter (crossing in about 3 weeks).

Just went to see Cakra: there is now only one boat a week going and it's not running to any regular schedule, due to economic downturn. The cost is 350RM / bike.

For the Indo visas we went through the Noble Hotel, as our's said that they couldn't do it, no agents allowed. You need:

PP.
1 passport photo on RED background.
Ticket to or from Indo.
Fill in the form.
Noble take 190RM, their fee included.

If you want to save a few RM you could buy a ferry ticket, then go and queue yourself at the consulate (mornings only).

Cheers,
Peter.

so, Beddhist, where are you now?
Still in Malaysia, whereabouts, KuL or PEN?

Just for your info;
Karter is here somewhere in the east coast, he'll be back around the 18th April... we planned to meet up sumwhere in KL.

Another Q: is it safe to leave bags on the bike or do we need to remove anything that's not padlocked? I don't think we will be able to carry all our stuff onto the ferry, it's just too much. The lady at Cakra thinks it is, as long as you remove your valuables.

I did this crossing in Nov '08 with a friend and it is no problem at all. You ca do it all alone too go with chakra shipping but arrange all paper work on indo side urself thats what I did! it all cost 500,000 rps on indo side and we were on our way out of belawan Easy!!!just watch out for traffic once your in indo tho!:mchappy:Peter are you still in thailand mate? remember to contact me if you need help in Bali as this is where I live and my bike is here too.hestzero at geemail dot com

We had 3 panniers full of stuff on the bike, when it was shipped from Penang to Belawan. And because the bike arrived late on Friday, and we decided to go to Thailand for the weekend, (and also because we had faulty info about the speedboat, which did not go on Mondays) the bike had actually stayed at the customs warehouse for 4-5 days, before we were finally able to pick it up.

Everything was ok, but our panniers were hard, so they were locked. Not sure, if I´d leave soft panniers on, or anything else that can be easily taken off. Everyone at the port seemed to know full well, where the bike was kept!

even soft luggage is safe
 

From experience of living and working in indonesia for the last 6 years I dont believe that anyone will take gear off you bike in belawan the guys there are more interested in looking at and talking to you about the trip etc. They will however turn all the light and indicator switches on tho but thats no problem really. I put my email addy in my last post incase anyone needs help or infomation about bali but i wrote it wrong it's hest zero one at geemaildot com
good luck guys!:welcome:

Peter, your gear will be ok. Dirk from (belgium)and myself did it in november '08. and robbo did the crossing in dec with out a carnet! read his blog The hard way home. I dont know why you guys are stressing so much, it is easy and no problem whatsoever.
All i says is watch the traffic once in indo too many idiots on the sepeda motors!! with out licences too! btw it was easier and cheaper to fly ourselves from penang to medan on air asia they go every night at 21.00 we started on the ferry but it had to turn back due to rough seas you can get a visa on arrival for 1 month and can renew it here in bali for another month for 1.5 mil rps.
:scooter:send us an email I will give you my ph number here in bali if you need any help
hest zero one at geemail dot com
cheers
ivan

Thanks for the advice. We are leaving some of the bags on the bikes, then. We were stressing just a little bit, because we were told only this morning that there will be a boat tomorrow, we didn't have our visas, for which we needed to show tickets, which we couldn't get until we knew when the boat goes. Su's MY visa expires on Monday and that is when the next ferry leaves. It was touch and go whether she would have to do a second border run. (Thais only get 30 days in MY.) Everything is sorted now, the bikes are going aboard tomorrow lunch time and we are going Monday.

Is there an ATM in Belawan or do we have to go into Medan for that?

Ivan, is your previous gmail a/c still valid?

BTW, the Indo embassy's website in the UK states that visas are NOT extendable. We have been told otherwise and have heard that some immigration offices will do it regardless. It probably won't be an issue for us, as we are planning to be in Sarawak in 2 months' time, then head for Philippines. I'm still not clear on how to get from there to Sulawesi, but we'll cross that water when the time comes.

Ciao,
Peter.

Cakra ships cars, too!
 

For the benefit of all those poor sods who can't travel by bike, but have 4 wheels: Cakra told me today that they also ship cars on their boat(s). Their email is:

CakraShipping at Gmail

Cheers,
Peter.

Ok, time for an update. We have now been in Sumatra for 4 weeks. To answer my own questions:

There is at least one ATM not far from the port that takes CC.
We stayed At Danau Toba and found them good, although a tad expensive.

An 'agent' did all the paperwork and we were on our way within about an hour or so. Could have stayed in Medan at JJs cheaper if I hadn't stuffed up loading the waypoints into the GPS. :blushing:

When applying for an Indo visa in Georgetown the embassy demands a ticket. Funnily, they accept inwards tickets and also a copy of the carnet. The last I heard from Dingo is that visas can be extended.

Ciao,
Peter.

Belawan to Penang in January 2009
 

Actually we arrived in Belawan a couple of days before Christmas and first we went looking for the famous mr Monte. Curiously, nobody seemed to know anything about him (and his phone seemed to be switched off), so we looked up the shipping company Pt Melda Jaya. There nobody spoke any english, and before we knew, a guy whose name is Anan was called. He said it would cost us 1 million rupiah to ship the bike. We were not too happy with that (especially knowing from some previous post that theoretically it should be possible to do it at no cost at Belawan side at all) but agreed to come back on the 2nd of January as the next ship should have been leaving on the 3rd.
When we arrived in Belawan on the 2nd of January the shipping company was closed and the locals advised us on coming back on the 4th. That is what we did. Luckily, this time they were open and we wanted to make another attempt to make it without a fixer. But once again, even before we could take our boots off and enter the office, they were already talking on the phone to mr Anan. He showed up and told us he would give us a discount, so the price would be 800 000 rupiah. We did not really have a choice, because mr Monte was nowhere around and our visas were expiring the next day. So we agreed, and within an hour all the paperwork was done (i.e. the bill of lading was printed and the carnet was signed, all very easy) and the bike was in the warehouse waiting to be shipped the next day.

Just in case anybody needs it, here is mr Anan's phone number 06177908505.

We left a roll bag on the bike. We locked it so that it could not be opened, but anybody could get it off the bike with ease if want to stole it. Fortunately all was there in the end.

The wooden vegetable ship looked like this:
http://yhelteljel.ee/wp-content/uplo..._Lestari_v.png


On Penang side we first went to the shipping agent Sinaran Idaman Enterprises on Church street (on maps it is called Lebuh Gereja) to pay for the shipping. It was 290 ringgit for the shipping and 30 ringgit for some mysterious EDI (we got a receipt and all), so all in all 320 ringgit. Then we took the ferry to Butterworth and walked to Bagan Dalam port. While we waited at the warehouse for the bike to be unloaded from the boat, famous mr Lim showed up (he seems to be aware of every bike coming and going) and although we did not ask for assistance, he was very helpful. After a bit of running around the carnet was stamped (in the export section, though, but I doubt anybody cares) and we were nto even asked for the port charges. So, off we went!

Bike off the ship:
http://yhelteljel.ee/wp-content/uplo...IMG_1913_v.jpg

Port Dickson - anyone done it lately?
 

Hi all -- I'm here in the Cameron Highlands with my trusty Vespa P200 that I rode here from Serbia. I've just run into a Canadian guy and his girlfriend on a pair of 250cc Yamahas, and they're riding back up to Penang in a few days to attempt the shipping to Belawan. They told me that Penang is pretty much the best, if not only, option for getting from Malaysia to Indonesia.

But that's in the wrong direction! I'm heading down to Singapore in a bit to meet up with some folks, and I'd prefer to not have to ride all the way back up to Penang. Dmitry mentioned in this thread -- or the previous thread that was closed -- that Port Dickson does offer shipping to Dumai, in the form of a Mr. Zaharia who can magically get your bike on a passenger ferrry. That was back in 2008 however. Meanwhile, from the sounds of it, all the passenger ferries no longer run...? Is that true?

Thanks in advance for any up-to-date info anybody might have!

P.S. I tried calling this Mr. Zaharia and there was no answer.

Ship your bike to Dumai if you enjoy having it impounded.

Take your bike into Singapore if you enjoy red tape and spending lots of money for nothing.

Search HUBB for more details, it's all there.

Why not ride back up Malaysia taking a different route? It's a nice country to ride in.

We did the reverse in September 2009 and shipped both bikes on an onion boat from Dumai to Port Klang,http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...i-melaka-35519


the details of the agent in Port Klang are here

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...941#post300395

Good luck
Ann

Just a quick update for those who want to use this thread as a source of information shipping from Indonesia to Malaysia. I've done the crossing a few days ago, but I found not much of the information shared applies anymore unfortunately. Even if you speak a bit of bahasa and ask yourself like I did, it's a bit difficult, so I haven't found a proper way, I had to "hack it".

After I tried from Dumai to Malacca and figured there wasn't even a passenger ferry from Belawan to Penang anymore, I got to Tanjung Balai (where a speedboat operates from towards Port Klang) and spent about a day talking my way into getting the bike on the boat, including convincing the port master, coastal patrol that it will be ok, then hand lifting it from the floating consol to the boat and carrying it up on a 10 meter narrow set of stairs (one side open to the abyss) on the Malaysian side then talking to some high ranking customs officer about the unusual Carnet situation. It was a bit of an adventure but something to remember :)

Cost was about a third (including some money to the captain, some for loading the bike, customs and other official "costs") of what everyone else was reporting on HUBB using Cakra and the infamous Mr.Monte (who I don't think is in business anymore, I haven't even seen any small veggie ships in Belawan, plenty in Tanjung Balai...would have been my plan https://s-static.ak.facebook.com/images/blank.gifB).

Unfortunately I can't see this as a casual way of getting a bike across the strait, I think one or two more would probably fly, but then they would just cut it short and I don't think a full size touring bike would make it, even my DR fully drained was pushing it, we had to lift it off the boat just 2 of us.

If someone has done this recently, information would be welcome.

Cheers,
Andras

But do you know, if Cakra Shipping still operates the onion boats between Penang and Belawan? That should be a proven and relatively easy way to transport bikes.

Unfortunately they don´t take passengers. But if there are no passenger boats doing that route at the moment, I believe you should be able to find flights between Medan and Penang (a bit of a hassle that way I admit, but getting the vehicle across, and dealing with customs, especially if heading to Indo, is still the harder part I think!)

I haven't contacted Cakra as all the reports that went through them came the opposite way and everyone seemed to go through Mr.Monte on the Indonesian side. I went to the Belawan port, the police didn't even want to let me in first, but a bit of social engineering did it. Only to find that Belawan seems to be a big ships only port now, I haven't seen any banana boats on the main pier and in the food court area and certainly no one heard of Mr.Monte there (the lack of small boats might explain, apparently the new way was in for 2-3 years now).

Tanjung Balai, on the other hand seems like the banana boat heaven, just near the speedboat terminal, there were at least 5 blue wooden boats lined up, all similar, taking coconut or what not. Shouldn't be a problem, plenty of fixers kicking around, but none of them speeks English.

If, however, you find that Cakra ships from Belawan, there is train connection from Belawan to Tanjung Balai, where you can take the speed boat for 200.000 rupees at around 2pm (I think mine was delayed because we loaded the bike after all the passengers were on board) and be in Port Kling by around 7pm KL time (4 hours). Nice air conditioned run carrying only about 50-60 people. Flight is also an option, but even with my minimalistic gear it's too heavy and they didnt't seem to care about the content (they do screen iton both sides).

Cheers,
Andras

Malaysia to Indonesia
 

Hi All,

Hope this will be of some use to someone. We did this using a carnet, so it may be slightly different if you don't have one.

These were the steps we took to get the bike over to Indonesia.

First we got our 60 day Visa's from the Indonesian Consulate in Penang GPS ref N5 25.975 E100 18.295, this took two days to process and didn't prove to be any hassle with a carnet. If you have a pillion a letter from the rider to say the pillion will be leaving the country with you and the bike is required. No outward bound flight ticket is required anymore when in possession of a carnet.

1. Contacted Mr Lim of Cakra Shipping, Georgetown. ph 6042625879 mob 60124709717

2. Visited his office, 2nd floor,187 Lebuh Pantai, Penang. GPS ref N5 24.860 E100 20.284. Mr Lim is a very helpful guy and will let you know all the information required.

3. Organised the bike to be shipped on Friday, we were to meet at his office at 10am handed over 370RM then we headed out to the dockyard at Butterworth to meet the ship coming in and to get it loaded there and then.

Customs on a Friday is a bit of a pain, Friday is a Muslim prayer day so Customs close in the afternoon, with the ship getting it at 1500 we had a lot of waiting around.

4. The crane operator didn't really have an idea on how to lift a large GS Adventure so it was worthwhile for me to make sure he rigged it correctly. He may be a bit more knowledgeable on smaller bikes.

5. Say goodbye to the bike and jump on the back of Mr Lim's bike and head home.

6. Flew Georgetown to Medan with Air Asia on Monday morning (ferries do not operate that route anymore). After ditching our gear at the hotel I headed out to Belawan Port by motorcycle taxi (one hour) to pick up the bike. The shipping agent's office in Belawan is at GPS ref N3 46.831 E98 41.120. This place is just a house, here the Belawan agent will come and escort you around the Customs procedure which is a bit long winded. I kept my m/c taxi with me and waiting around till I got to the see the bike. I paid him 100,000rp for his troubles and for all the waiting.

The first customs chap just wanted to have a little chat and see the carnet, second visit to another customs to tell them to come and inspect the bike. After inspection (just frame/engine number) another trip on the back of Mr agent's bike to another Customs office in the dockyard to get the carnet stamped.

7. Finally got back on the bike and made my way back to Medan.

Traffic here is pretty bad compared to Thailand and Malaysia, I made it out there in 45 minutes and managed to make it back in an hour, this was just lucky.

Keep your GPS on you and don't leave it on the bike when you ship it, it saves a lot of hassle getting to the shipping agents office in Belawan.

Cost
Shipping out with Mr Lim 370ringit -- 76GBP
Collection fee, 800,00 rupiah, don't pay any more than 900,000r -- 64GBP

No fees to customs or anybody else, all went well just took a long time.

Cannot say if the process will be the same if you do not have a Carnet but I'm sure Mr Lim will tell you the details.

Cannot think of anything more to add but he can contact us on gsaworldtour@hotmail.co.uk if he needs anymore information. We will also try and put this up on HU and possibly ADV if they have a borders link.

Hope this is ok,

John

gsaworldtour.com

I would not underestimate the task of entering Indonesia without a carnet, even though I know it´s been done... you can do just about anything in Asia, if you have the patience of a saint, or it´s your lucky day!

In fact I´ve personally met other bikers there, who had had very serious trouble to get their bikes into the country at all. The bikes stayed with the customs for weeks, and they were becoming desperate. Some of them claimed, that they even HAD the carnet, and one said, that he´s currently demanded a "recommendation letter from the United Nations"!!

So I think that the place, where you are entering from, could also be important. One, for example, had his bike stuck at Jakarta airport, and another one at Surabaya seaport... both places, where may be not so many foreign vehicles are transported to. One of the reasons to go Penang to Belawan, if it´s not far away from your route, is the fact, that it´s been used quite a bit, and so the customs know how the process should go.

One would think, but not sure if that's the case. It's one thing that in Tanjung Balai they had no idea how to fill it, but even in Port Klang, a massive cargo port, the officer with many shiny things attached to his chest knew no better. He got a bit anxious a few times, but I kept feeding him some copies of random docs (passport, rego...etc) and he eased up. Then he made up sime random "serial number" and wrote it on both slip, and he got an official and a personal stamp. Then he started to ask if I have a camera and/or a laptop and if they're covered by the carnet. You just need to be confident about you doing everything right an they accept it.

As for getting into Indonesia with no carnet...I'm not even sure about leaving the country without one!

Well, I know that 4 years ago things were very smooth *both*ways* between Penang and Belawan, as there were other bikers coming from Indonesia at the same time. In Penang, I actually gave one of them a lift to the docks, to pick up his bike from Cakra Shipping´s terminal. Everyone said they passed customs without a hitch on both ends.

For us it took maybe just 10-15 minutes to clear the customs at Belawan, and we only payed some fixer maybe 5 dollars, all of which I first could not believe, after all the horror stories that I´d heard.... :rofl:

But that info is of course old, and some things may well have changed (apparently have already, if that passenger boat is no longer operating; the situation with those seemed ever-changing, though!)... but if Cakra Shipping still has their onion boats going, they´d be my number 1 option between Malaysia and Indo (- unless of course if there´s some proper car ferry going – in fact they´d opened such a ferry route just a short while before we were looking for a passage, but unfortunately they´d already closed it down, too!)

I used Mr Lim from Georgetown to Medan in August 2011. He did a great job and the contact he recommended in Indo also no problem. I have name somewhere if needed. John Enfield details contact info are same as I used so still current. I can recommend Mr Lim.

same goes here lim of cakra shipping did a great job even to 2 of my friends...

Shipping from Malaysia to Indonesia
 

Hi Guys.

I made I new way of shipping from Malaysia to Indonesia in December 2011, similiar to andras.ikladi but otherway. In my case it was a bit complicated and stressfull, as I was the first one, but I am sure it'll be much smoother for any another.

I arrived at Malaysian coast on Sunday, when called Mr Limb he said they are shipping only Friday/Saturday morning and it goes over weekend in every case. The price was oscilating around 900+. I checked also Port of Melacca, Port Dickson and Port Klang with no luck, but when looking for some solution at passenger terminal in the last place I met two guys who work for travel agency. They offered me to send my bike by one of the ferries to Tamjung Balai, using their connection, next day. I paid 300 ringits for taking motorbike across and another 100 for someone to help me to sort travel and customs on the other side. I could also go on the same boat, for another 100 but as I had no visa they didn't allowed me to board and I had to fly to Medan and take minibus to Tanjung Balai instead. Everything was well organised, nonetheless I had to spend a half day with Indonesian customs. They said they had never dealt with it before, but after a few hours of calling they got familiar with procedure and said proudly that next time they will be smarter, so hopefully it takes an hour or so. The clue is to have letter from Ikatan Motor Indonesia beforehend, just email them a few days before arriving, then they send permission and instruction to customs in chosen place how to proceed.
And I hadn't paid any duty or other charges, everything was free.
After you leave the customs you have to go to police station and wait for Road Permit, that's another story, a few hours again but free too.

Before you get there good idea is to have Indonesian visa in passport, it save you money, unnecessary flights, time and stress when traveling by minibus. You can apply in Kuala Lumpur, it takes three days for them to issue one.

All operation was easy and quite well organised and when I called to the guys from other side they said I can recommend them for others, they can do it again any time. If I am to do it ones more I am sure I go this way: everyday shipping, shorter time, half price comparing to Cacra.

Contact number to Izainil is +60136367611 but, as he doesn't speak english perfectly well better email him on izainil_nazzirul at yahoo dot com

And remember to have CPD stamped when crosing border to Malaysia from Thailand. Doesn't matter that they say it's not required, they won't allowed you to leave without it later. But if you forgot ask Izainil, he's got solution for it too.

Good luck
for more details look at my blog

Great find and it's good to have another option.

> The clue is to have letter from Ikatan Motor Indonesia beforehend, just email them a few days before arriving, then they send permission and instruction to customs in chosen place how to proceed.

Who are they and how did you find out about that? Can you please post their email here? (Please encode it with scr.im or similar to prevent spam.)

There is another good reason to have a visa in advance: it's valid twice as long and can be extended.

Enjoy Indo!

It's equivalent of RAC or ADAC in Europe. Their website address is:

http://www.imi.co.id/

We browsed for details with officers in Tamjung Balai to find contact details and then ringing numbers one by one to find out how to proceed.

The nice lady informed that Indonesia has different rules to deal with CPD than rest of the world. Like with everything probably. To cross the border apart of valid Carne booklet you have to register your intension to enter country with them in advance and then they email approval letter to appropriate custom office. It normaly takes 3 days, but, as I was on the border already they managed to do it same day. After that they stamped my Carne and allowed me to enter for free. It was a big struggle to sort it out, so I am sure next time they will remember the case and be more familiar with procedure.

Apart of it the guys are very kind and nice, the problem was only lack of knowledge.
At the police station - otherway, they know how to proceed but everything is taking looong time.

A bit like Singapore then. It's weird, though: you don't get any of this palaver when going through Belawan or either land border crossing.

Thanks for all the info.

Looks like someone else had the same problem when was crossing from other side, from East Timor. Look at the post of brethouwer here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...mor-west-42723

But in the same post some other fellows went smoothly through it. It more likely depends of level of knowledge on the border, rather than where you are crossing.

PENANG to MEDAN on a THAI motorbike with no CARNET. IS IT POSSIBLE???
 

PENANG to MEDAN on a THAI motorbike with no CARNET.
IS IT POSSIBLE???


Hi there to all and
everyone who have done this before:

PENANG (Malaysia) to BELAWAN-MEDAN (Indonesia), what happens if one is shipping his bike without a CARNET de PASSAGE?

We are riding a motorbike with a Thai registr. plate. Unfortunately the Thai Government or any other Automobile Club of Thailand DOES NOT release any CARNET, reason being that apparently there has never been anyone who has wanted to drive or ride any vehicle with a Thai plate into Indonesia....and therefore they do not even seem to know what a CARNET is.
What they do know is a ATA Carnet, which is usually a document that is being issued by the Thai authority if one wants to go exhibit goods, (motorbikes included), etc... temporarily in another Country.

This is what the Automobile Club of Thailand told us.

We find this veryyyy strange but if true we are really struggling to understand and arrange procedures to get our motorbike onto Indonesian ground.

Does anyone know what we can do about it?

Looking forward to get your information.

Best to all.

Frank V

2 things come to mind:

contact the Indo AA for advice.

contact the Malaysian AA. they told us that they will issue it for Thai bikes.

Frank, mind sharing which next steps you took? Did you manage to get your bike into Indonesia by now?

I'm considering crossing from Penang to Belawan with my Singapore registered bike, but also don't have a carnet. Anyone did that before?

Getting a carnet is not an option for me... too much hassle with various authorities in SG.

Anyone any news the latest I hearedd is that Mr Lim and his 'onion boat' is not operatina anymore...

any idea how to cross to Malaysia?

cheers Sascha

NO MORE VEGETABLE BOATS FROM PENANG (Malaysia) TO BELAWAN (Indonesia) _ April 2012
 

As of April 2012 there will be NO MORE VEGETABLE BOATS FROM PENANG (Malaysia) TO BELAWAN (Indonesia) to ship your motorbike onto Sumatra ground. This is what we heard from Mr Lim at the end of March 2012.

Ok, our story, or better said, our attempt to enter Indonesia without Carnet has been published and discussed at length on Facebook during these past few weeks and, unfortunately, we do not have the time to go into this again right now. In short, we did not make it eventually.

In a way, today I would say "Thanks God we were not allowed to enter Indonesia" for, if we did so, on our way back to from Sumatra to Malaysia (Penang) we would have gotten stuck at Belawan port and forced to make a very unpleasant decision, .... that is, shipping our bikes back at the cost of approx. RM2000,- and plus....or, plus plus plus, (I really do not remember how much Mr Lim told me concerning the new shipping costs).

Ok, the story seems to be like this....(with reserves of possible misinformation).
So, it is neither the Malaysian authorities nor the IMI Ikatan Motor Indonesia (Automobile Club of Indonesia), nor the Custom at Belawan that would not let any motorbike (mind you, with Carnet) enter Sumatra, but apparently the Indonesian Marine Police.
This last one seems to have recently denied a motorbike, which was nicely stocked and transported in one of Mr Lim's veggy boat, from landing at Belawan port. Mr Lim (one of the funniest and nicest person we met in Penang) says that the biker himself was totally unaware of all the hassle being caused around and about his motorbike at the port of Belawan.

Eventually however, his bike was released by Custom and he could finally put his hands on it and ride away.
This is today most likely only history and the biker may as well have been the very last one to enter Indonesia in this way...for the time being, at least.

The Indonesian Marine Police, rumors say, seem to have smelled something of a growing business in this motorbikes transportation process across the two neighboring Countries and for some 'unspecific reasons' it is trying to block this clean and honest (adv-touristic) traffic. Do they see a way to make unclean money out of it? If so, how? I myself do not know.

Anyaway....shipping your bike from Penang to Belawan with Mr Lim's veggy boat used to be great fun and its cost was RM600. Seeing your bike being lifted with a crane and then put into a weird-looking wooden boat, bearing exotic names like "Golden Lestari", was one of those experience lots of us have always been looking for, I am sure. .... Unfortunately, from now on that same transportation may well cost you around RM2000 plus, ...this is always according to Mr Lim's words.
The new transportation system imposed by the Indo authorities is one which you all already know very well:
you empty your motorbike of all its liquids, you make a crate, you put your 'two-wheels angel' into it and off it goes with a regular container cargo ship on the other side of the sea.

This is the sad story about Penang/Belawan.

STILL ONE POSSIBLE OPTION:

But there is perhaps a little door that we may still try out from
Port Klang(Kuala Lumpur) to Tanjung Balai (Sumatra).
We recently got in contact by phone with a guy who goes by the name of Mr Nazz who says there is a passenger ferry boat that still operates a regular service and that can carry up to a maximum of 5 bikes (and their respective bikers) at a time, from Port Klang to Tanjung Balai.

I am in the process of talking to the guy and before I publish his contact for everyone to use it, I want to make sure that the 'operation' is really possible.

For now...thanks for reading and good luck to everyone.

Regards,

Frank VEDETT /////

Hi there Singaporean friend....
 

Hi there Singaporean friend....
Please read my posting that I published below in the same forum thread or,
if you like, this is our Facebook account, we can chat real-time there:
Vedett Mototours | Facebook

We are based in Bangkok.

Best regards,

Frank VEDETT /////

Quick update on the current situation, even though my information are not so solid yet, they might help others or help us get more info in return.

Two bikers from Germany and Switzerland and me are currently in KL and trying to figure out how to cross over to Indonesia from Port Klang. We got the contact of two local guys working at the harbour who act as agent to help bikers do so.

They are:
Mr. Nazz <don't have the no right now>
Mr. Eddy +60 163793428

The only ferry there big enough to take on bikes is reported as damaged since few days. Therefore the other two also look into bringing the bikes over in cargo boxes or even a container.

However, from what I know from Frank, there was one biker who already managed to use that ferry to Tanjung Balai, but spent one day dealing with customs even with carnet. I guess it's better to get the invitation letter from IMI (contact me for more info). Frank himself had to take a break from his tour and did not cross yet.

Other bikers planing to cross over soon or have more information?
I will give an update once there is progress in some way.

Hi,

I'm in Jakarta now and trying to figure out how to get the bike to Malaysia. Does anyone have any new info?

The Port Klang(Kuala Lumpur) to Tanjung Balai (Sumatra) ferry option sounds the best, but I'd hate to get stuck if it really isn't something that can be done.

Thanks everyone,
David

SHIPPING BIKES from/to Malaysia > Indonesia > Malaysia
 

Hi David...

I have seen that you are in Jakarta and would like to know how to ship your bike to Malaysia from Sumatra...correct?
Anyway...as I said earlier Belawan/Penang or Penang/Belawan is not in operation anymore so, there seem to be other options from Port Klang/Tanjung Balai and vice-versa but a Malaysian friend of ours, Mr Burn, (who recently did that crossing from PK to TB) got quite a few hassles with several people at TB even with a Carnet. He was very furious when I exchanged information with him last week and said that if he knew it before he would have chosen to ship his bike from Peninsula Malaysia to Kuching(Borneo, Sarawak) ...in order to cross the Malay/Indo border there and reach Pontianak in Kalimantan and...subsequently ship his bike to Jakarta. So, quite a long way if he were to go for the second option, but probably less complicated in terms of custom clearance.

HOWEVER, please before you decide which way to go, make very well sure that you get all the proper information.
Things are getting rather tough in recent weeks and we believe that this is so cause some people involved with this kind of bikes transportation are 'smelling good profits' and want to get advantage from it. Fair enough perhaps but with very annoying consequences for us bikers.

Please try to get in contact with my Malaysian friend, Mr Burn,
who is currently on Java(I believe) and who will ride to Sumatra and ship his bike back to Port Klang Malaysia.

Here is his email and Facebook account, ...tell him that you know me, Mr Franco VEDETT

abukamarudin@yahoo.com.sg and/or
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=841137903

Hope he will give you some valuable information on how to do what you need to.

Best of luck and let me/us know what will happen after....

Regards,

Frank V

nowthen, mr lims onion boat is still in operating from indo (belawan) to penang (malaysia)
or it was 10 days ago when we used it.
you will find more info in the trip trasport section.
cheers ,ben

Hi,

I just got an e-mail from Mr. Lim and he said going to Malaysia should still be okay, but coming into Indonesia is no longer possible without a container boat.

I am in Dumai right now and so far the Customs/Navy/Coast Guard have been nice (I think) in trying to help me, but the captains haven't wanted to ship my bike. I get the feeling that someone smelt money in the air and the captains don't want to get involved since there aren't enough bikes coming across to make a business out of it and once the powers that be know you ship bikes they'll always be on the lookout for you. So, even if you aren't carrying a bike you'll be more likely to be stopped or checked which probably means some money changing hands no matter what.

I'll keep HUBB updated with what happens here, but so far it seems like it's going to be a bust. I'll also confirm if the Belawan to Penang route is still operating and if they expect it to keep doing so.

I guess if it was easy, everyone would do it... Wait a sec- aren't they now?!

Update....

Dumai is a no go. The place is locked up with Customs/Coast Guard/Navy all acting nice, but taking enough bribes that the captains of various boats won't touch a bike. I was staying with and English teacher and he took me around and did translation and he was enven disgusted with what was happening.

I'm in Belawan right now and am set to go with Mr. Lim to Penang on Monday (missed this weeks boat). They won't take a bike to Indonesia, but will to Malaysia. However, even that way they say that they are having more and more problems with customs wanting extra money. I'll update on the tolal cost when I find out, but it really seems like someone smelt money and is squeezing the shippers/captains. So far they say the Belawan-Penang route will stay open, but it could change, as well, they only are doing one boat a week now instead of two because of 'problems with customs/coast guard'.

Me and another biker could ship from Malaysia to Indonesia in Mai 2012 at reasonable costs without much hassle.
Now I also shipped my bike back with Mr. Lim from Belawan to Penang in July 2012.

I made a detailed write-up about both crossings with everything one needs to know. Contact me for it by private message.
Guess it's better not to put in here, especially as the one going to Indonesia is a bit unusal. The folks at the port start strolling around you like cats around a fisherman with dollar signs in their eyes. And everything changes so quick with Indonesia where everyone wants a piece of the cake. So I'm afraid that link will break just as Penang to Belawan with putting all info online.

But please share your experience here if you made it.

Malaysia to Indonesia
 

Any info regarding this topic would be helpful as I am going this way towards the end of 2012, could you send me a pm?. Thanks

Hey,

good news for everyone trying to ship a bike from Malaysia to Indonesa, very recently Mr. Lim's company started to ship from Penang/Malaysia to Medan/Indonesia again, countless bikers have used his service before
and he knows what he's doing. Good guy!
You can contact him at cakrashipping@gmail.com or +60 124709717

Office is at:

CAKRA ENTERPRISE , 2ND FLOOR, 187 LEBUH PANTAI, GEORGETOWN, PENANG. Tel: +6042625879

The charges now are Rp700,000 in Belawan and RM 550 for Penang.


I attached a PDF where I wrote down all the details about going from Malaysia to Indonesia and vice versa with a bike (May/July 2012), worth a look. However since Mr Lim is now operating in both ways again, the info about using the passenger ferry from Port Klang is no longer up-to-date.

Good luck and keep other bikers updated here!

Martin

Great so I dont have to send your PDF arround anymore...

cheers mate!

Thanks for the update - this is good news/timing for me as I am planning to get my bike from Malaysia to Sumatra next week if possible! UK registered bike with Carnet. I'll report back when/if I succeed!

Cheers

GOOD NEWS I AM SENDING MAY BIKE NEXT WEAK IFF POSIBOL SAVE A LONG DRIVE DONE TO GEAT A BOAT TO BATAM AND ONE TO SINGAPORE PLANING TO GEAT TO BELAWAN ONE THURSDAY NEXT WHEAK WHAS TOLD BUY A FRIND THEAR IS A HOTEL CLOSE THE THE COUSTOM HOUSE IN THE HARBOUR WHIL BEA CAMPING AOUT T5HEAR :clap:

Hotel with parking in Georgetown
 

There is a cheap chinese hotel in Love Lane (Pin Seng Hotel). Its a bit back off the road close to the 7/11 at the corner. They have a garage for your bike and a fan room without bathroom costs only 25 R. A couple of weird people around, but fun.

Does anyone knows if Mr.Lim is also able to ship a car (Toyota Landcruiser) from Malaysia to Sumatra?

Hi Morla,

:welcome: to HUBB.

Yes, he told me so himself in 2009.

Not with the Onionboat, but maybe he can arrange a container. Just ask him per mail.

Phew.... sounds like shipping isn't the easiest between Indonesia and Malaysia. I am shipping into Port Klang (sharing a 40ft container with another bike and a VA van) and planning to ride to Australia, around Australia and then into Thailand (maybe riding back through Indonesia..) and then off to Nepal/India and to Europe via the Middle East.

I'll print out the PDF and re-read in detail.

One question: How long can the bike stay in Indonesia and Malaysia? Same length as your visa? I have a CDP in any case.

Thanks for any help
Kevin

That's why we are all happy that Mr Lim is operating again. It's dead easy and quick.

I believe the max. stay for bikes in Indo and MY is 6 months. Our bikes spent 5 months in Indo, no problem. We had to make two visa runs. Thailand is a teensy more complicated, see separate topic.

Thanks, 6 months will cover it I'm sure. I thought Thailand was 30 days max? I was there in 2006 and did a run into Cambodia with the bike (to Siem Reap for a week). Planning to be in Thailand again for a while. Read that some folks had their bikes stored for 6-7 weeks. Wonder how they did that with permits? Also, I know about the 15 day visa at the border. Planning to get a multi-entry in Canada (will be back home for a few weeks till the bike makes it to Port Klang - cheaper even than flying from Buenos Aires to Asia)

Is there a thread on Thai bike issues on time restrictions etc.?

We'll be suing Mr Lim as well it seems.

Kevin

Isn't that a lot of going forth and back?

Yes, but I'll be damned if I can find the old topic I started myself. Searching HUBB is still mission impossible.

Why, what has he done to you? :oops2:

Yes, but cheaper than not sharing a container with a VW van to Port Klang. It's cost me $1000 all in to get my bike there. Also, it buys me a month to take a break and not having to fly after the bike if I were to use air shipment. From BA, it's $2,400 one-way to Australia this or next month. Add $1,750 for the bike + $500 in Australia and we're talking $4,650 to me there. With the container, I have 30 days and can fly via home (Vancouver) and pay $1,800 in total airfares. So I save $2,000 ...I can use part of that to ship from Sydney to Port Klang (or ride back if I want) and still be out ahead. Besides, it works better from a timing perspective.
Google is your friend site:Welcome! | Horizons Unlimited <search>
LOL, I meant "using" of course

As promised in a previous post on this thread some details on crossing from Penang to Medan during Dec 2012. Cost 770 Ringgit in total. 550 to Mr Lim and 220 for the other side although Mr Lim now collects the full 770 on the Malaysia side at the request of the agent on the Indonesian side because too many people trying to knock down the 220 once they arrive in Indonesia. As you probably already know you must have a Carnet which you must have had stamped when you entered Malaysia. (When I entered from Thailand I had to make a point at the border that I wanted it stamped otherwise they would have let me in without stamping it. It was no problem for them though, they knew exactly what to do and had clearly done it a thousand times before.) All the paperwork is done for you on both the Malaysian side (by Mr Lim) and the Indonesian side (by someone at the shipping agent you'll be sent to at the port). I never needed the letter from the Indonesian Motoring Authority or any police letter, only the Carnet. Allow yourself a fair bit of time - at time of writing he pefers the bike(s) loaded on the Wednesday, the boat then sails on Saturday and you can collect at the port near Medan on Monday. You have to get yourself to Medan by air though, I actually went down to KL and flew from there because I fancied seeing KL but flights are just as cheap from Penang to Medan. A lot of passports are eligible for 30 day visa on arrival in Medan. I think passenger ferries to Medan from Malaysia have been killed off by the budget airline. Overall it was a simple and stress free process and Mr Lim is a nice person to deal with. Hopefully this will help someone - more likely to situation would have changed again by the time someone comes round to reading it but there you go! Cheers

Thanks Christopher,

I will be crossing there in the next 8 weeks or so. Can you tell me what happened to the bike? Were you able to strap it down yourself or did you have to leave it for someone esle to do it? Also, did you leave luggage on the bike, either a solid case or otherwise?

Cheers,
Kevin

Easy process indeed. I crossed last week and no issues at at all. Paperwork on the Malaysian side took 15min, Indonesian customs took around 2 hours. Lim likes to get the bikes loaded on Wednesday for the Saturday sail but we actually loaded on Saturday morning. I left all my (soft and hard) luggage on the bike, just locked it just to be sure. You're allowed to strap down your bike yourself but as these guys have done this a hundred times, I just left them to it.

just made a semi-easy crossing from indonesia to malaysia. we were booked in for the first shipment of the year (the 8th jan), however, the boat sailed on the 7th (no one seems sure why....), which messed up plans a bit on the other side of the strait, where we were meeting the in laws

indo customs took hours. and hours. and hours. mr lim's belawan agent (who is a really nice guy) was an hour late, then, at customs, only the big boss is able to sign the carnet there - and he was in a meeting when we arrived. then he went to lunch. then he went to go and pray. and so on and so on... until i eventually got his signature on the carnet. the belewan agent (whose name i've misplaced) takes you to customs to do the paperwork that side - i suspect that it might have been a bit easier if i'd been there by myself, as i'm probably better at losing my patience than the locals tend to be

no hassles malaysian side - lim took us to customs (on the mainland - back of his bike to the ferry), then to grab the bike.

we'd ended up warehousing it for a week in belewan for no charge, then two weeks in butterworth for 78IDR

very helpful info.. cheers.. I'm going to be doing this myself later on in the year. I will be heading into Timor-Leste from Darwin at the end of May and making my accross the indonesian islands..
A question if I may.. I'm having trouble finding info on the best way of obtaining an indonesian visa. I'm going to need a lot longer than 1 month (I'm in no hurry at all). Can you get the 2 month visa at the border crossings or is it something that must be obtained prior to arriving and can that be extended easily enough in the country without having to leave. Also, I'd like to venture up to Irian Jaya using the Pelni ferries. Will the ordinary visa allow that or do you require special permission? I know that region is a sensitive area.
Cheers
Kurt

The visa situation in Indonesia seems to be in a constant state of flux, so things can always change. But if it's the same now as it was back in September 2011, then the overland crossing from Timor-Leste into West Timor (Indonesia) is not a straightforward visa on arrival at the border.

I suggest, therefore, you consider obtaining a 60-day Indonesian visa in advance, either from the Indo Embassy or Consulate in your home country (Australia, right?); or alternatively in Dili, when you get to Timor-Leste.
.

thanks for the reponse.. yeah I'm in Australia.
yeah i'll get the 60 day one then for sure. I'll get in touch with the consulate here in Sydney. Hopefully i can then extend it without too many difficulties once I'm there. 60 days really isn't enough to see all the islands properly especially when you may get stuck waiting for ferries etc.

cheers.

get it in e timor. we had a bad time going thru the indo embassy in canberra - it took weeks, they wouldn't respond to email and they'd never pick up the phone.

the dili embassy has a much faster turn around time and less hoops to jump through. be aware that you will need 2 passport photos with red background. rita at e timor backpackers can give you all the info, plus has the cheapest beds in dili

That is all really good news. :thumbup1:

I will be heading that way in 8-10 weeks.
Will leave Melbourne to catch an early March shipmen to Timor Leste, then across to Malaysia when I get there.

The plan is to travel ultimately to Japan, through China & Sth Korea. I am still trying to suss out Sth Korea at present.

Ro

Currently in KL.
I had a plan to ship the bike on coming Saturday from Penang to Indonesia, but got an email today from Mr Lim saying that boats do not go in next 2 weeks...
Any other options to get bike to Indonesia?

Contact Izainil. You find the details earlier in this post. He'll ship your bike from Port Klang, just a 50km from KL, maybe even next day. Just contact him.

Thanks Motocimek! I just sent an email to him.
Just wondering if shipping and customs is as easy as with Mr Lim or if I need those special papers from Indonesian highway department and invitation letter.

-Hemuli

Yes, better don't go without the IMI letter. We went to Tanjung Balai with Izainil and all papers prepared, and customs on both sides were pretty easy. But that's almost a year ago, and we were the among the very first big bikes to reach that town.

I attached a PDF where I collected all information from my two crossings last year. Going to Indonesia with Izainil and back with Mr. Lim. You might find it useful, even though parts of it is outdated.

Good luck!

He never answered any email from us when we (c4traz and us) crossed. We had to call him constantly and two days b4 we finally crossed I called him every hour, which was usefull because he changed the final shipping date -24h and was kind of stressy in the end... (and he didnt even call us then, if I wouldn t have called him to ask we would have missed the boat...) be very clear about the price you want to pay with him so there is no room for negotiations on the spot...

Call, send SMS, contact him on Facebook and see how it goes... But like Martin said its almost a year ago...

Good luck!

Just had a chat with Mr Lim. It looks like that next boat to Belawan is going on 3rd or 4th of May. If something changes, he will call me.

He confirmed that if I use Port Klang, then I need this IMI-document at the Indonesian side. Belawan seems to be easiest port.
I will apply this IMI-document now just in case (if it takes 5-10 days, then it will be close to the May in any case and I could use Mr Lim´s service).

If something changes, I will keep you posted over here.

Call Mr. Freddy Soemitro from IMI, nice guy and he can give you the paper within some houres via email> 0062816857388

& mail mail to IMI: diyah yanuardani: yanuar_danie [<<AATT>>] yahoo {Dott} com

good luck!

Thanks for this info!

I just called to Mr Izainil (he replied to my email within few hours).
He will send an offer and more information later today, sounds like there is boat next week Wednesday or Thursday.

I will keep you posted if anyone else is going to same direction.

Short update:
Izainil is contacting nowadays with mobile and email, so no problems with communications.
Next boat is on Saturday, but I cannot make to that boat due to no visa yet.
I got really rough quote (waiting detailed one) and his price is roughly double compared to Mr Lim...