Customs paperwork in USA before shipping Moto?
 

Hi all,
I am planning on shipping my motorcycle from San francisco (where i live) to Costa Rica and thence to ride back up home.

I am just learning the ropes with the whole Air Frieght situation. I got in touch with AmeriJEt and they require me to obtain customs paperwork done before crating the bike and shipping it through them.

I want to get started on this, but am curious as to what documents are required by US customs prior to crating and shipping the bike?

Ideas/Advice?
Shridhar

Hi Shridhar, I am shipping my bike from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany at the end of August. I'll let you know what I have to do with regards to customs. A Lufthansa affiliate is doing the dangerous goods documents for me- at a cost. They do the paperwork as they are the ones who verify the condition of the bike regarding fuel, battery status, etc. Lufthansa Chicago requires me to use them. BMW Chicago has offered me a free crate. I will post full details on the shipping pages when the deed is done. Safe travels. Hook.

Hook,
thanks for getting back to me. I enjoyed going through your website!
Couple of questions...why did you choose Lufthansa airlines (other than that you are going to germany, duh). I have heard on here that freight forwarders are the best?
Also, my interactions with Amerijet have been pretty positive. i doubt they fly to germany, but might be worthwhile checking out. The lady i spoke to was helfpful, but she did not know about the customs end of things though..

Hope to hear from you soon. Good luck with the final leg of the trip!
Shridhar

Hi Shridhar. I just completed a RTW ride and am just starting my second. So I guess you can wish me well on the first leg of the second trip! I chose Lufthansa because I have found it less expensive to deal with companies directly. I was a commercial pilot for 15 years and came to learn the major airline hubs/routes. Visit the Lufthansa website and then check out the CARGO website. US carriers won't normally ship a motorcycle. Many European carriers will. When I last checked, South African Airways and Ethiopian shipped bikes as well. As far as you're concerned, Mexicana might ship bikes, but the aircraft they operate might be too small for this. Lufthansa fly freight-only aircraft from Chicago to Frankfurt, as such they can easily haul heavy freight with no problems. Check the HU shipping pages and shop around. I was quoted $800usd to have my bike crated. BMW Chicago is giving me a crate and I only have to pay for a truck rental, something like $30usd plus fuel! Good luck. H.

wow
 

wow dude, you are hardcore!! second RTW..... phew...

Thank you for the nuggets of knowledge there. I'll check out airlines directly. I think people have used American Airlines to ship motos in the past.
Also, from poking around online, i think these are the documents i'll require:

Vehicle title (no problem)
Passport (no problem, but i am east indian by origin)
Visa entry stamp into Costa rica (need to get CR tourist visa in my case i think)
Vehicle permit into Cost rica (perhaps the Costa Rica embassy will know)
Bill of Laden from the Agent or Way Bill (dont know what the hell this is)


BTW, in your case, dont you think $800 is too much for just crating the bike? or is that the price for shipping it from chicago to frankfurt. if so, thats a great deal!

Shridhar