Bike shipping Kathmandu Nepal – Bangkok READ THIS!
 

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 beers. This should have worried us, because it should have been obvious that we must be paying for the beer in the long run. In short, he tries to charge everyone WAY too much.

After a few beers, 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 beers 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!

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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)

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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.

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 beers 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 beers they provide to me.

Yes, our experience was different
 

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 beer 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

Invaluable thanks!
 

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 :)

here here! Well said

Nepal
 

Bryn,

How long will you be there for ?bier We arrive on the 21st and will either buy or hire a bike.:scooter: Any tips on where to go and what to see would be great:thumbup1:.
Thanks
Paul:mchappy:

+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

The state of play
 

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.

Pokhara
 

Paul

I'm leaving either today or tomorrow for Bandipur to go rock climbing. Not sure how long I'll be there but likely 4-5 days (I've been here for 2 weeks!).

Then headed to Kathmandu and perhaps trying a 10day, no human contact, hardcore meditation class. Then flying from Kathmandu some time after.

Pokhara is in a lovely area. Personally lakeside is way to commercialised for me so I'm staying about 2km down the road (as described in my earlier post). Its a very quite place with 4 double rooms. Npr200 per person + a little if you want to use the gas in the kitchen. I've been using my stove and buying food from the in city so living has been cheap.

There are plenty of places to walk and things to see. Shamefully I've only done two of the walks in the Lonely planet, round the lake and up to Sarrankot for sunrise -4:30 start, utterly worth it. If you carry on down the road round the lake you reach the end of the asphalt but can ride up to the top of the mountains there (which I forget the name of). There are plenty of other places to see, ask Om the charismatic owner of Nervana.

Hope that helps

See you on the road,
Bryn

No longer in Pokhara!
 

Hi Bryn,

We left Pokhara a few weeks ago, we're now in Thailand and on our way to Malaysia shortly.

It's good to see a slightly more competitive approach to pricing from Eagle Exports. As long as he's not up to his old tricks and wants to try and add his crating charge and handling charge to his 20,000 rupee made up charge on the Thai bill! Also, it seems all the other companies do a per kilo price. Eagle Exports didn't do a per kilo price for us but instead an estimate which turned out to be far higher than the eventual weight. As documented previously, that cost us over $100 US.

Good luck with your shipping!

Oh, and just for completeness the following was Eagle Exports attempt to give us a quote. In contrast to all the other companies we subsequently emailed, there was no attempt to itemise the costs or explain what the charges were. Our bikes turned out to be less than 600kg (exactly 500kg in the end), yet our price per bike (on the first Eagle Exports quote) was US$725 per bike... at the very upper end of the price bracket below.

Lesson learned, shop around!!

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

Hi Brian,
Thank you for contacting us. We are professional bike shipper in Nepal.
Regarding the shipping cost of bike From Kathmandu to Bangkok, it always depend upon the real weight or volumetric weight (by size of box) of the shipment.
Normally bike like your's consumes 300kg (Volumetric weight)
and it cost around USD 750 to USD 860. But, When I measure your bike and see the luggage box then i can tell you the exact price.
If you send Two bikes together then the cost reduces by USD 100 to 150 per bike.

By the way, Can I ask you where are you Now and when do you plan to arrive Nepal?
Happy New Year 2012 and best wishes
regards
suraj and sara

we used Eagle Eyes..
 

when Simon and I were ready to leave Nepal and head to Thailand - we used Eagle Eyes in Kathmandu.

we had a really good positive experience. they were very professional - took care and attention to what we required and understood the importance of our bikes to us.

we were given a proper quote and this was not altered or 'added to' in anyway. the final quote was what we paid.

but with another company with a name very similar it can get confusing...
so the information of the company we used is:

contact person: Jeewan
Eagle Eyes Exports . <eagleeyes61@hotmail.com> or ,<eagleeyes@wlink.com.np>

we decided not to approach anyone else for quotes as we were happy with the one Jeewan provided us with and so we can not make a comment as to the other company.

best advice - shop around if you are not comfortable and go with the person you 'like' best!
cheers

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 !

Bullet Bar
 

Yeh, we got a New Enfield from Bikemandu & rode it to Muktinath (fantastic trip):scooter: got it serviced with Raju (beside Bullet Bar):thumbup1: had a few beers with Nathan (owner of Bullet Bar) and a few of the other lads.bier Still in Pokhara now, Hearts & Tears are still closed (Rick got cancer, went to Singapore for Chemo & I believe has had a full recovery:thumbup1: 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):thumbup1: If buying Bullet Bar is the answer but need to get from Ktm. to Pokhara first.:mchappy: Nepal is one incredible country & the ride to Muktinath has been the best one of my life !!!!:D(also the coldest !!):confused1:

Thank you
 

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
:mchappy: