Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Jun 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 672
Shipping out of India right now...

Hello

I am crazy enough to ship out of india (yes I have read the horror stories).. I am in Kolkata now and shipping to NZ. I've contacted about 30 odd shipping agencies and had about 5 vague quotes back now.

If anyone has shipped out, please can you give me info on procedures, detailed billing info- so fees you have had to pay, if you have had to pay backsheesh/bribes... etc etc.. Doesn't matter if it was from a different port, but it will give me an idea!


Any info will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Jun 2013
pheonix's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Dunedin, NZ
Posts: 308
Hi Fern,
Glad you've made it safely to Kolkata
Hope you get the shipping sorted out - perhaps I'll see you in NZ next year!
Elaine / Elle
__________________
Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Jun 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Have you looked into flying your bike? I know it sounds expensive but it is popular and I believe a few people have done it from Kolkata if not to New Zealand.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Jun 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 672
I wish I had the money for flying the bike. If I did I would.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Jun 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fern View Post
I wish I had the money for flying the bike. If I did I would.
By sea out of India... and you want to save money. That could prove out to be a tall order. Sorry if I sound pessimistic, but you only need a couple of guys in that logistics chain, who think you´re a walking ATM, and you´re not gonna save a whole lot compared to an air shipment. Ok, in the end there´s no guarantee, that the same thing cannot happen, when using airfreight, it´s just that combination (sea shipping + ports + India), that could make the probability especially high, I think.

I sent my bike by air out of Chennai (to Bangkok) five years ago, and that was a lot of work to get it done, the Indian end I mean. Bangkok was easy. Back then, I also asked quotes for sea shipment, but they were just about the same as air (about 600 euros, and this was what I actually paid, too)... and they had some sort of “slow-down strikes” going on at Chennai port, heaven knows how many weeks or months it would have taken to get the bike transported by sea. So those reasons made the decision VERY easy for me! To NZ by sea, on paper it should be a little cheaper than by air.... but especially by sea, it´ll be very hard to tell, how well those quotes are gonna hold, how many “hidden extras” there will be, how long exactly it will take, and what the costs at the receiving end will be (NZ is probably a FAR smaller worry than India, though!)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Jun 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 672
yep, quite aware of the pitfalls, I worked in shipping in China. India I know is another ball game. A polish couple shipped their bikes from here a couple of years ago so I know its possible.

If it was easy everyone would be doing it. And I can't magic extra airfreight money from thin air. Shipping quotes are coming in at £500 to £1000. Airfreight is £2000.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Jun 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fern View Post
Shipping quotes are coming in at £500 to £1000.
But is that what you´re gonna pay in reality?? I don´t know the answer to that, but I´d be a bit worried, if I was in India. Also with seafreight, the costs at the receiving end could easily be bigger. Ports are not so well-suited for handling single packages, they´re made to move huge volumes of packages.

Using seafreight, waiting a long time for the bike to arrive, and still ending up paying nearly as much as airfreight would not be nice?

Actually would be interesting to hear, how it will all work out for you. I´m sure it is do-able by air or by sea, the unknowns are how much hassle, and how much money.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Jun 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 672
I don't have time to ride the bike when I get to NZ, I hope to be working two jobs.

Freight forwarders send random small shipments by LCL all the time. It is common practice. What the freight forwarders don't like are people sending one off shipments that has no potential for more custom, hence why i'm fronting it through my ex employers who send multiple containers, LCLs and airfreight each week. The freight forwarders also don't like to have to explain all the terminology and foibles of each port or countries process. As a new company it takes months and months to get a good rappore with a freight forwarder. What Kolkata is lacking are freight forwarders who have dealt with transporting the odd motorbike.

I've had some FF'ders flatly refuse to take on a personal shipment, when I re-email with my work email its all smiles and the quotation process proceeds, their sales pitch starts.

If I thought aspects of overlanding were going to be too difficult I would have stayed at home, as suggested by some other neigh-sayers of doom.

Last edited by Fern; 5 Jun 2013 at 16:42. Reason: typo
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 May 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Auckland
Posts: 4
Hi Fern, How did it go with shipping your bike to New Zealand? I am also looking for a shipper to send a motorbike from India to New Zealand, from any port in India for that matter.

Do let me know if you have any recommendations please.

Ranjan
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 30 May 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 10
I have done the shipment to germany

its easy to do, but needs some paperwork.
i am experienced enough to get wat it needs as i have shipped two bikes to germany

if u want my help u can mail me at amitbhp@gmail.com
i m not online always in this site.
happy travelling
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 1 Jun 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 43
If you decide to ship by sea remember to consider the destination charges in NZ as they could be a quite astonishing amount of money...

If you want to try to ship by air ask directely at the cargo village at the airport, it is cheaper to go directly to the airline and there is always a way to get the Dangerous Good Certification even without an agent (at first they will say No, but then you know how India works... if you insist long enough they'll change teir mind and let you do it...)

When you'll get the bike in NZ please come back and tell us how it went...
Good Luck
__________________
Him + Her + The Bike = 300kg. Everything else is Fleeting
**http://www.300kg.eu**
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 1 Jun 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
I’ve just spent nearly three weeks – running between Mumbai --> New Delhi – trying to air-freight my bike to Dubai, UAE. I spoke to and negotiated with numerous Indian freight forwarders, all of which promised the Earth, but all of them, without exception, led me down a blind alley. Bloody Hopeless!

Now I’m back in Kathmandu, Nepal! 1,000 km from New Delhi .. in the wrong direction!!

This afternoon I went the freight forwarders shortly after arrival here in Kathmandu. This is the new Nepali deal:
  1. Bike will be cleaned tomorrow at 9:00am
  2. Bike will then be taken to KTM airport at 10:30am
  3. Bike will then be crated - a 2-3 hour job. Customs clearance during the afternoon.
  4. Bike will be air-freighted to Dubai (via Bangkok) on Tuesday-3rd.
  5. Bike - plus me - will arrive in Dubai UAE on Wednesday-4th (Thursday-5th at the very latest.)
Why couldn't it all have been that simple in India?

I’ll Never Do It Again – acronym = INDIA!

Ho Hum ..
.
__________________
Right Way Round ...

Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 3 Jun 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 79
Can you tell me the cost please? Good job though
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 3 Jun 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overland15 View Post
Can you tell me the cost please? Good job though
Who are you asking Overland15?

Me? .. or a previous poster?
.
If your question is directed at me, then the airfreight cost was 137,000 NRP.
That's approx US$1,450 (GB£870).

Cheers

Keith
__________________
Right Way Round ...

Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10 Jun 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Hi Keith
4 of us,Aussies, are in India at the moment having visa problems with Pakistan. The air freight solution you figured out looks pretty attractive. Did it all go as smoothly as planned? Which agency did you use in Kathmandu?
Enjoy the ongoing ride!
Cheers,
John
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Shipping Bike UK to India. Biggles Trip Transport 2 4 Feb 2013 05:27
Driving the Karakorumn and Shipping from India to Madagascar or South Africa Intrepidfor10minutes Route Planning 0 3 Nov 2012 11:01
Shipping XRV750 from Uk to India Piersb Trip Transport 2 19 May 2012 18:00
Shipping A Enfield bullet from India to the UK tommyb1984 Trip Paperwork 2 10 Feb 2012 08:31

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:51.