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.

__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

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.

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!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!

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!

evey embassy is different. My advice is go to the embassy in Penang and ask what you need. We didnt need airticket. mostly they are ok with overlanders. we coild only get 30 days but as I said every embaasy seems to have its own rules

Last time I was in Penang, I asked about an Indo visa service - The answer was, you needed to go to the embassy yourself.

The people who will tell you exactly what you need to take with you to the embassy are - Banana Guest house 1 in Lebu Chula, if you want to double check, Jims Guesthouse a few doors away. He is a star.

I'm thinking you might require a return ticket, or some kind proof of funds.

You will need passport photos with a red background, Banana can do that for you, but there are other photoshops on the way down the hill to little India, same side of the road as Jims.

ETS: At the embassy you get 60 days, if you do VOA then you only get 30 days. I spent so much time in Sumatra, just being invited to peoples houses for dinner, sleeping on floors and hanging out - I don't know your timescale, but it may be a long journey.

Stephridestheworld did Bali to Oz. check out her blog

BTW Dili to Darwin isnt dubious. It all works well.

Steph airfreighted her bike from Bali to Sydney wasnt it? I think so. Anyway - thats not what I had in mind.

There are many stories about the Dili - Darwin freight that have postponed and delayed endlessly. Thats what I want to avoid. Dont wanna be stuckedin Dili for months. Its expensive and its not the most interesting place in the world. Of course one could fly back to Lombok or Bali in the meantime or similar....

__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

the delays are usuallyy weather related. we found them ok to deal with. public hols etc pop up but im not sure why they would be delayed for months on end. they will send you their shipping schedule and they keep you up to date via email if you establish contact with sandy from anl.