Two bikes in one crate customs problem?
 

We are trying to ship two bikes from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

We would like to put the bikes in one crate, to save paying the 150 dollars handling charges twice.

The shipping agent here tells me it is not possible to put two bikes in one crate, because the customs will not clear the bikes when they are in one box. He tells me that we need to ship the bikes in seperate crates, thus paying twice for the handling, stuffing etc.

One of the bikes is registered in Germany and the other bike is registered in the Netherlands. Shipping agent is Hellmann Worldwide Logisitics.

Has anyone heard of this before? Lot's of people ship bikes together without problems, so maybe somebody has some suggestions on how to handle this.

Thanks,
Dirk

Hi guys,
We shipped two bikes on one pallet and one 'airbill' from Panama to Equador. Did not have any fuss over at the customs. Of course it might be different in Europe, but i don't see why they should make a problem of it...
You could always ask Peet, the guy behind motortransport.nl, maybe he knows for sure.
good luck!
Ferry

[This message has been edited by berdebeer (edited 12 May 2005).]

Hi Dirk
Take a look here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...837.php#000837
Arno & Sian send in only one crate both bikes and using Hellmann services whit out problems; also I remember 3 couples more who do the same but maybe whit others companies.
Witch is the other bike? Because yours maybe you can put in a big Samsonite case on the same plane!!! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif
Also we are waiting for your cooking!! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif
See you soon
Javier……………

Wow, aint bureaucracy funny?

I have crated two bike in one crate. No problem. I have seen it dones several times. No problem.

Many agnets are a little scared on motorbikes I think. Outside their experience. So they make up ridiculous stuff.

Simon Kennedy

Thanks for your help so far, here's a little update:

The problem seems to be that our bikes are on two seperate entry forms. The physical shipping is not a problem, as is clearing the bikes.

The problem occurs when Hellmann (the shipper) tries to cancel our entry forms. Aduana does not accept two different entries to be shipped together. You can only cancel one entry against one departure at the time, or the shipping agent will be fined. Basically the bikes need to be together on the same entry form.

We are on our way to customs now to clear this problem. Will keep you posted.

Cheers,

Dirk

P.s. Javier: I normally put my bike in the overhead luggage compartment, but the other bike is a KTM and doesn't fit http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif