costs to clear port?
 

Hi, I'm looking at shipping my bike (crated) to either the UK (London), Republic of Ireland (Dublin) or Netherlands (Amsterdam). My shipping agent has given me a quote up to delivery at the overseas port. It does not include the charges to clear my bike through the port. Does anyone have a clue where I could find this info?

As the bike will be partly dismantled, what experience do people have with reassembling the bike at the port and just riding away? Is this permitted? What are costs etc.?

I am trying to make an economic case with my gf for taking the bike to Europe for touring to who knows where :-)

Thanks
Waz.

Hi Waz

You don't mention where you're shipping from, but I'm assuming Australia. Three points to make:

1. Given a choice, I think London will be less expensive than the European ports for sea freight. See the following note on this topic.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...SydneyToLondon

2. Sea freight does take 6-10 weeks, though, so if time is critical, send it by air.

We have a positive report on shipping by air using Lufthansa from Melbourne into Brussells.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...urneToBrussels

3. We have always just uncrated the bike (helps if you have a crowbar, but if not, you can usually borrow one at the port), reassembled it, and driven it away from the port or airport, though we have no experience of doing that in UK / Europe. My expectation based on living in the UK for several years is that they will be easier to deal with than Europe.

If they give you a hard time (sometimes their union or safety regulations are a problem), tell them you were given assurances by the agent at the other end that this would not be a problem. They won't be able to check anyway!

Good luck, and let us know how you go.


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Susan Johnson
Share the Dream at <A HREF="http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com/index.shtml" TARGET=_blank>www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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