We have just shipped our two motorbikes from Kathmandu to Bangkok, and want to share our experiences with others, so you don’t make the same mistake as us.

At the moment, a company called Eagle Exports targets bikers with the offer to help them ship their bikes. As a few people we knew had used Eagle Exports, we stupidly did not shop around, but went straight to the office. The owner, Suraj, is a very friendly guy, and immediately offered us s. This should have worried us, because it should have been obvious that we must be paying for the in the long run. In short, he tries to charge everyone WAY too much.

After a few s, and him being really nice, and knowing lots of others have shipped with him you come to think you can trust him. So when he says he is trying to do it as cheaply as possible for you, you tend to believe him.

After a carpenter measured our bikes, Suraj offered to ship our two DRZ 400’s for US$1450, and book our two flights for US$250 each; a total of US$ 1950. We negotiated a bit and got him down to US$1850 and thought we had done all right; but we were only comparing to other prices we had heard from people who had used his company.

After arranging the shipping we headed off to Pokhara. To our surprise we saw flights to Bangkok advertised for US$199, while we were paying US$250. We asked inside, sure enough they could sell us the same flight from Kathmandu to Bangkok on Nepal Airlines, same dates, for $199 (+$3). We wondered if we could also get the bike shipping for less…

We sent some emails to a few other shipping companies we had found on HUBB shipping info (you can find their quotes at the bottom of this post), all the initial quotes were considerably cheaper than Suraj, one by over $400. Moreover, their quotes were based on a weight of 600kg, Suraj’s quote was based on an undisclosed weight he had estimated, but which was certainly less that 600kg. In the end our bikes came in at exactly 500kg. So, at about US$1.15 per kg we would have saved more than US$500 on the bikes by going with a different company. We also emailed Thai Cargo directly, who quoted us all their charges (also included at the bottom of this post).

We estimated that if we paid the US$1,850 Suraj would have made about $140 on our flights and another $5-600 on the bikes!!

Upon our return to Kathmandu, we had a long, long chat with him. We asked him to show us some other bikes’ invoices from Thai Cargo, which he happily provided. Now, here is the cheeky bit: on ALL Thai Cargo invoices from Suraj there is a 20,000RS (about US$250) handling fee (per bike!). If you ask, he will show you other bills, and then say he will only put another US$100-$150 or so on top for his fees and the crate, so it all looks quite reasonable. BUT, since we had seen Thai Cargo’s charges, we knew these 20,000RS were not Thai Cargo charges, and Suraj eventually admitted that these are also his fees!! So he actually makes you pay him twice, but you have no idea as it al looks legit. (We later found out that Eagle Eyes Cargo for example does not put these handling fees on the Thai Cargo bill – much more honest.)

After a long discussion, we got our price down to US$1550. He wouldn’t agree a per kilo price to be paid after the bikes were weighed, but instead quoted us on 600kg. We accepted. At the airport our bikes weighed 450kg, but the volumetric was exactly 500kg. Another US$115 in Suraj’s pocket.

At the same time an Italian couple shipped their bikes (600kg total) and they had had some inside information on the actual flight costs, and got both their bikes and their flights to Bangkok for US$1300. Ouch!!! Although, Suraj probably only broke even at that price. If you have other quotes he appears that desperate to do the shipping (and put everyone else out of business) that he will undercut everyone else… but only if you show him your other quotes and don’t get sucked in by his s and bullshit.

We bumped into another couple we knew outside his office the day before we left, and found out he was trying to charge them US$1,700 for just their bikes. Their bikes will probably come in at about 600kg combined, so this is $700 more than the other quotes.

At the airport, we met some Americans who were shipping with Eagle Eyes Cargo. It turns out Eagle Eyes Cargo was the original bike shipper on HUBB, and is run by Suraj’s cousin. Suraj used to work for him, but then set up Eagle Exports in competition. When Eagle Eyes Cargo was closed for a few weeks, apparently Suraj started poaching their customers. Eagle Eyes Cargo has been around for 10 years and really are the main bike shipper in Nepal. Their prices are much more realistic than Eagle Exports.

Finally, if you can find your own carpenter to measure the bikes and make the crates, it would not be hard at all to approach Thai Cargo directly and do the whole process yourself. There is some info on the Hubb from someone that has done this before in about 2006. It doesn’t sound that hard, certainly not hard enough to justify Eagle Exports charging up to US$700+ to organise a carpenter and pay a few small bribes at the airport.

Our advice: shop around before dealing with anyone, and look at the quotes below (especially Thai Cargo so you know the real costs) before committing to anything.


Good luck!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eagle Eyes Exports . 22 January 2012 17:49

Hi, thank you. We need all process for creating & custom clearance,paper works.
The cost will be finalized after creating.I give you the price as per kgs. The price in our Nepalese NRS
Per kgs83.00
War search charge per kgs12.00
Dangerous good charge per 8000.00
Create charge per bike 8000.00
Tax,custom clearance,wear house per bike 7500.00
Please let me know any confused.
Thank you.
Regards;Jeewan

(Total US$1150 for two bikes weighing 600kg without negotiation vs initial quote Suraj of US$1450)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ishwar Bhatta 23 January 2012 18:11


namaste,

I hope you are fine and have a good traveling in India.As you asked me about shipping bike to Bangkok the process & price i am going to give you now you can see please.
To Bangkok normally the bike carry only Thai Airlines so If the bike weight after packing will be + 500 kg. Freight cost U$ 1.07 per/kg + Insurance Fuel Security Sur. charge U$ 0.15 cent p/kg + Airway bill fee Rupees 200 per shipment + Dangerous goods charge Rupees 8000 about U$ 100 + ply wood Box/packing Rupees 7000 + Custom expenses ,Transportation,Loader,X-Ray fees ,warehouse ,my commission like paper work etc. Rupees 6500 , So for example if about 600 kg = 600 X 1.22 (1.07+0.15) = ( 732 +2.5+100+88+ 81) = Total U$ 1003.5
You know about airlines system which is bigger/higher weight like volumetric or actual then they will charge like this so for your case if you open some part like front wheel,mirror,handle then the size come out smaller and will be less then 500 kg the freight charge will be 1.37 + 0.15 p/kg and rest expenses are the same as above.
For the process first my carpenter measure the bike size and order the box next day you drive bike and we bring box together go to custom airport clearance and next day we have send bike to destination.

I hope you read the information and let me inform if anything else not clear and confuse feel free to contact me please i am happy.But i would like to request you also when you come here then we talk face to face and we negotiate as per your wishes for everything it's good.

Thank you very much,

Take Care,

Ishowar Bhatta
Thamel Kathmandu,Nepal.
Tel: 977 9851062253 cell,
9771 4268539 / 4216005 office, 4364749 house.

(Total US$1003 for two bikes weighing 600kg without negotiation vs initial quote Suraj of US$1450)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DWWFI 23 January 2012 13:42
Cc: Naresh Das, dascargo

Dear Mike
Namaste

Please find below the quotation as per your request ex KTM -BKK via Thai Airways.

Air Freight : USD 1.20/KG
FSC : 0.10/KG
SSC: 0.06/KG
DG Fee : USD 100.00
Handling Fee : USD 350.00

Handling fee includes crating, paper works, custom clearance, transportation and handling fee.

With Best Regards,

Beemal Bista
Das Worldwide Freight Int'l
Das Trading House
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O.Box: 8001
Web: DAS Worldwide Freight Int'l :: Worldwide logistics Services

(Total US$1266 for two bikes weighing 600kg without negotiation vs initial quote Suraj of US$1450)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thai Cargo direct email about prices

Rajesh Mohan Pradhan 19 January 2012 18:22

Hi, thanks for choosing THAI CARGO.
Regarding rate over 500kgs, our rate is NPR81.25 per kg plus Surcharges NPR12.00 per kg plus DGR Fee NPR8,000.00 plus Air Waybill Fee NPR200.00.
We do charge on actual gross weight or volumetric weight whichever is higher and payment should be made in foreign currency only.
Any further query, you are always welcome.
Best regards,
Rajesh Mohan Pradhan

(Total US$780 actual cost for shipping two bikes weighing 600kg, but excluding crating and perhaps the odd bribe or so at the airport for the handling, x-raying etc.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: There is a higher per kg rate if the shipment is under 500kg, but bikes can be combined onto one airway bill to benefit from the reduced per kg rate. This applies even if the bikes are in separate crates.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copy of partial Thai Cargo invoice with the extra 40,000 rupees added by Suraj circled in red.

Attached Thumbnails

 

I ve read all and I can not agree with this.

I saw you at Eagle Export office few days ago when I was trying to ship my bike.

I do not know how long have you been in this world of traveling overland, but even if you have been doing five world tours trips I know there are more quieter ways of talking about people who is running a legal business, providing services and feed their family.

I used Eagle Export but I also asked Eagle Eyes Export. The rate was exactly the same.

Hi, your bike volumetric weight 452Kgs
So the shipping charge Kathmandu to Bangkok as below:
452Kgs@Nrs117.00=NRs52884.00
Air way bill fee fixed NRs200.00
Dangerous good charge fixed NRs8000.00
Wooden Crates NRs10000.00
Handling,wear house, exports tax Etc NRs9000.00
---------------------------------------------
Total NRS80084.00 divided 1 $83.00=Usd965.00
Your Air Tickets by Nepal Airlines Usd250.00 per person.

Exactly the same. I prefered Eagle Export because I have friends who have done it with him, even I have another friends, like Lisa and Simon who chose Eagle Eyes. The service was done properly, I had no worries, my bike arrived at BKK safely and I am riding around with big smile.

I was wondering how many times you have shipped your bike. I only can guess once if you were traveling straight from UK. I am currently 3 years an a half on the road and unfortunately I have some "experience" about shipping bikes by sea and by plane. It is a real headache. I can say shipping from KT with Eagle Export was smooth and easy, and cheaper than other shippings I have done before.

You can discuss about price, but what I say now it is not right at all is about his friendship and s trying to mean he is a cheater guy who wants you drink to steal your wallet. That is real bullshit. I know it because I drunk whit him and met his family at his home. I sat on the floor and eat and talk and enjoy a good time with all of them. I can say they are nice people and I am happy with the service and the s they provide to me.

__________________
www.miquelsilvestre.com

Eagle Exports' service turned out to be ok. Suraj's hospitality may be genuine. However, he did try and significantly overcharge us. We made a mistake in not getting other quotes before going to Eagle Exports. It was the first time we'd shipped the bikes, and our errors were something Suraj tried to take considerable advantage of in his first pricing.

There is also the curious Handling Charges that appear on his bills.

Suraj asked us numerous times to write about his services on Horizons. We have done that. Our experience was not great. The quotes and emails above we have included so that others may make an informed decision about how much they should pay and who they should ship with. If it turns out to be Eagle Exports, and they obtain a fair price, then I have no doubt they will have a great experience.

Hi Miquel,

Sorry I have to disagree with your comments, Brian is not against someone running a legitimate business, the problem arises when someone is intentionally deceitful, I also shipped with him just before Brian, yes I also went to his house ate dinner and drunk his everybody does....but I gave him the oportunity to be honest....he chose the dishonesty point blank! shame you had to pull out the "I have done more miles and shipments" card...we have all been on the road for different times and all have had different experiences but that's not the point! I have met Brian and Tanja on the road and have a lot of respect for them, that's more than I can say about Eagle exports!

Ride safe

Cheers

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...204#post366879

here here! Well said

Bryn,

How long will you be there for ? We arrive on the 21st and will either buy or hire a bike. Any tips on where to go and what to see would be great.
Thanks
Paul

__________________
....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au

+1

We were the Americans that Brian and Tanja ran into in KTM and we ultimately chose to go with Eagle Eyes Exports because we didn't care for Suraj. At our first meeting with Suraj we mentioned that we had also spoken to Jeewan and Suraj immediately launched into telling us that Jeewan was a liar and could not be trusted. He then would not take "No" for an answer and repeatedly visited our guesthouse to try get our business. And I also think that the "I've traveled more than you" shit was a douche move. Tanja documented the attempt to overcharge them and Suraj's hidden fee on the air waybill. None of that has anything to do with how many times they've shipped their bikes, it has to do with Suraj's willingness to take advantage of his customers.

Colin

Emailed Eagle Eye Exp, Eagle Exp, New World Link Exp and Tai Cargo.

The prices which are set (in Nepali Ruppies):
Dangerous Goods Fee = Npr8000
Airway Bill Fee = Npr200
Price (either gross or by volume) less than 500kg = Npr104.45/Kg
Price (either gross or by volume) more than 500kg = Npr83/Kg
Fuel surcharge = Npr12/Kg

These prices are set by the airline and should not change courier by courier. The next prices are variable:

Crate charge
- New World L Exp Npr6129
- E Eyes Exp Npr9000
- E Exp Npr6500

Handling, curstoms, taxes, loading etc
- New World L Exp Npr6445
- E Eyes Exp Npr8000
- E Export Npr8000

These are the initial prices before negotiation. Ishowar from New World Link Export sent a nice personal email and converted all his prices into USD. Payment must be made in a foreign currency anyway so this was helpful.

Alternatively I might go with Tai Cargo who only deal with the airport to airport transport. This means they will only pick up the ready crated and processed bike and you must do these things (like finding a carpenter, do all the paper work, get the crate xrayed etc) yourself.

Personally I think I will ride to the airport where the couriers get the bikes crated. Get a quote for crating myself then approach the couriers to barter over the handling fees.

Amazing, thank you guys!

I also have a friend who is shipping with Eagle Exports atm and they have emailed me asking if I require their services. I think a trip to a couple of other shippers will be my first move then see if he wants to charge less. Thank you so so much for the heads up on this! As you guys know shopping around is always a good option with everything abroad but I must admit this being my first ship I would likely have just gone with the easy option and trusted Suraj without thinking. I'm so very glad you let everyone know, thank you again for such a valuable post.

Are you still in Pokhara? I'm here right now, staying cheaply in Nirvana guest house. Follow the road North out of lakeside, up and round the headland then its about 4-500 meters past the dry river bed up on your left (There will be a huge 'city center' advert in front of you). Ask for Bryn if your around, would be lovely to have a chat

PaulD...''We arrive on the 21st and will either buy or hire a bike''
There is a place called 'The Bullet Bar' on the road from Lakeside into town, next door is Raju the bullet mechanic, he often has bikes for sale or hire, it depends if you want a Nep bike or an Indian bike, but this guy and the people who run the bar usually know whats available. If you just want to hire something, then you can also try 'Hearts and Tears' on the main strip, they rent bullets, but they're not cheap !

Yeh, we got a New Enfield from Bikemandu & rode it to Muktinath (fantastic trip) got it serviced with Raju (beside Bullet Bar) had a few s with Nathan (owner of Bullet Bar) and a few of the other lads. Still in Pokhara now, Hearts & Tears are still closed (Rick got cancer, went to Singapore for Chemo & I believe has had a full recovery but is in the UK at present) they are to expensive. I would rent off either Bikemandu & Wild Tracks Adventure Motorcycle Journeys (both very nice & honest blokes) If buying Bullet Bar is the answer but need to get from Ktm. to Pokhara first. Nepal is one incredible country & the ride to Muktinath has been the best one of my life !!!!(also the coldest !!):confused1:

__________________
....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au

Thanks a lot sir, for positive feedback! Bikemandu is always looking for best motorbike rental service that can accomplish all our clients tour in Nepal.

Thank you

Hey guys,

Success! Turned out the tricky part for me was getting the bike back in BKK but only because it arrived late Friday evening.

Here is what happened with me:

Emailed around lots of places to get prices. Was contacted again by Suraj and Isowar from New World who were both enthusiastic for business but in the end was offered a fantastic deal from Suraj. Reading what’s written here I wasn't certain about this but as it turned out Suraj provided and excellent service, was friendly and professional.

Meeting him at his office close to the Katmandu guest house he asked his carpenter to come and we measured the bike, then re-measured it trying hard to get it as tight as possible to save on weight and their advice on this was helpful.

The following day the crate was built and on the next day I went to the office, got various documents photocopied then rode to the airport with Suraj's brother who had his own bike. Everything was ready when we arrived, rode onto the palate and with a whole team of people (possibly a couple to many) we used my tools to disassemble the handle bar assembly, remove the front wheel, wind shield etc. Then we tied and ratchet strapped (bring your own) bike and boxes down. Next the sides where nailed on the box and thick metal straps bound it together. Was solidly and professionally done and I was quite happy the crate was tough enough but as light as they could have made it.

Next the crate was x-rayed (got a sneaky photo) and Suraj's brother began running around doing the paper work. I wandered with him being interested in how the whole process works. Then he rode me back into town on his bike and went off to the Thai Airways Office to do more paper work. The whole process was smooth, efficient and with minimum hassle.

The only 'mishap' in the whole process was when I realised how much a crate is likely to weigh. When asking for quotes I had told each courier my Transalp weighed about 202kg plus panniers, tent etc should be about 240ish. All had quoted me with the correct Thai Airways prices for this weight but no one mentioned that a crate would come it at around 50kg on its own. Although it wasn't mentioned by email Suraj did tell me on my first visit to his office and was assiduous in his efforts to maintain transparency in the whole procedure afterwards.

I had a couple of lovely meals with Suraj and on my last evening in Katmandu he took me to his house for a meal. I had a great time paying with his kids, eating Thali and talking life, politics and worries in Nepal. All in all it was a lovely way to finish off my time in a beautiful country

Lessons learnt: Shop around, fly by weight and don't forget the weight of a crate!

We have the same bad experiences like the Thread starter.

Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal: Untrustworthy. Incapable. Abusive.

We a talking about this company:

Eagle Export Cargo

https://www.facebook.com/Eagleexportcargo?fref=ts

Just want to write down my bad experiences end of September t'ill Dezember 2014 with Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal in Kathmandu, Nepal, which cost me an my friends lot’s of wasted time and much more money.

I arrangend a shipping of 5 motorbikes by sea a half year before we arrived in Kathmandu in September 2014. Everything should be no problem, price was fixed on 660 USD per bike.

The motorbikes should be transported from Kathmandu via transit through India and be shipped by sea from Colgatta harbour to Hamburg harbor.

When we arrived in Kathmandu we met a friendly guy, the owner of Eagle Export Cargo: Suraj Dhakal. All the paperwork was done fast, he invited us to his home, spend and food. Asked us, if we could take another bike of a dutch guy with us to minimize his harbour cost. We agreed.

Everything looked perfect. 5 days before we left Kathmandu we packed the 6 bikes with his carpenter in wooden crades at the airport cargo export building.

First problems occured, because Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal was not able to get the bikes cleared by the local customs. In addition he had ordered an open truck and not a sealed truck for sealed crades, after custom clearance, just to save his money.

So Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal send our bikes without any custom clearance to the Nepal/Indian border. He told us everything is fine, we signed a couple of authority letters to let him do all the custom work.

Then we left Kathmandu in the hope, that everything should run fine.

But it did not. Five weeks after we arrived back in Germany we asked Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal about the status quo of our shipping and the whereabout of our stamped carnet de passages.

After one long week of silence he answered, „that the Indian custom has rejected the bikes shipment to use their land to ship to hamburg.“ And that this happened the fist time, that he’s not able to ship by sea and that the only way of shipping is by air.

An of course, that we have to pay the balance between shipping by sea and the aircargo, another 560 USD, so 1220 USD per bike, in total 7320 USD for the shipment! (Compare to a 20“ seacontainer, which you can ship from Colgatta to Hamburg and your hometown for about 2000 USD)

5 weeks the bikes were stored in an so called „safe warehouse“ at the Nepal/India border. Photos showed an open building with access from outside and workers. It took another 6 weeks to bring back the crades to Kathmandu airport, do the custom clearance and ship the bike with Thai Airways to Munich.

Using Thai Airways for sending the bikes, he’s hiding his profit on the Air Waybill as H / C fee (Handling and crading) so that it looks like cost of the airline. In our case 950 USD! Other customers reported this behaviour too.

So Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal

-failed in shipping through india,
-failed to ship by sea,
-failed in giving us information,
-waisted our time
-charged us more money than we ever told or that we were willing or able to pay
-needed more than 2 ½ month to ship our bike (by plane)

But the worst thing was a facebook abuse warnig, end of November:

In Kathmandu, Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal offered me his Android tablet in his house to check some mails and to post my facebook status. After i left Kathmandu he abused my facebook account and read all my messenger conversation with my friend belonging his faults in shipping. Suraj Dhakal spyed in my facebook account and obtained unfaithfully information.

So be warned to make any bussines with Eagle Export Cargo / Suraj Dhakal.

Do not trust this friendly looking, speaking and acting man.

Do not pay him money for shipment by sea, he could not realize.

Don’t believe his friendly occur: he just want’s to make business, want’s to sell you needles insurances, travel trips arround Kathmandu etc.

In a resort in Chitwan Natinal park, which he recommended and sold, my friends got stolen money and smartphones. Of course its not his personal responsibility, but it's hard to believe, that it happened the first time.

For shipping a motorbike by plane from Kathmandu, you do not need his help. If there is really no way in shipping by sea via India, just organize a local carpenter to make a wooden crade for the motorcycles and do all the paperwork with the airline yourself.

You safe time, nerves, a lot of money and you can be sure that your bike is shipped.

See our AWB with the hidden H/C cost of Eagle Export Cargo:

Attached Thumbnails

 

Doesnt every bank, Insurance company or car company etc tryes to do so as well? We live in a free world with free prices. People who are lazy and take the first quote, allways pay more...specialy in Africa & Asia.

If you dont fly your bike around the globe, but buy 125cc bikes and sell them or rent cheap bikes for 5 Dollars per day in every country, it will be waaaayyy cheaper anyway


http://schoene-motorradreisen.de/?re...and_chiang_mai

If anyone ever wants to ship his bike from India to Europa or other way round, please send me a PN. I would love to ride the bike there for free