Do people lock their panniers when shipping bikes?
 

I am shipping my bike to Argentina by sea freight and was wondering if there will be a customs issue, if the panniers are padlocked?

Will the customs people rip them open if I am not there when the bike arrives or will the bikes clear customs in my presence, once I arrive collect it?

Any advise would be much appreciated.

Definately lock the panniers! Someone could either steal something, or worse, plant something and try to nail you later. Like planting drugs and extorting huge amounts of money afterwards. EVERY bag on your bike should be locked.

I am not sure specifically about Argentina, but every time I have shipped my bike, I clear customs with myself and customs present. It is typically not normal practice for customs to do things on their own without you or an agent present.

And don't forget, when customs does inspect your stuff, don't just open everything and let them go wild. One bag at a time, open, unpack, inspect, repack, lock, next bag. After your first bag or two they will typically just say ok, ok. Make sure you watch them like a hawk when they inspect your stuff. If they are impatient, make them wait.

Customs was never a problem for me after shipping.

Hi Iain:

Don’t be worry about the panniers. The crates only are open in front of you and a custom officer to make the verification when its ready to take it out from the warehouse.

You don’t need anything else. When you start the papers at the custom before open the crate they will ask you what you have inside it.

Nobody can’t open your crate if you are not there.

See you soon

Sandra & Javier

www.DakarMotos.com

If your bike is crated, what Sandra & Javier say is absolutely correct, your stuff should be fine, the crate will not be opened until you are there to clear customs. When we had our bike in a crate, we also tied our helmets and riding gear to the bike too.

If you are shipping UNCRATED, yes lock and secure everything.

Thanks
 

Thanks everyone for you help and advice, it's much appriciated.

Iain.