Shipped Girag, Feb 22, Panama/Bogota
 

Just shipped two bikes with Girag this week. All worked just as promised. Only minor wrinkle with slow customs clearance on Colombian end. Girag folks were great.
Stopped on street by police, demand for insurance docs. We didn't have, so couldn't move bikes until obtained, but insurance office four blocks away. I went and bought one month policies, came back and coo points out policy not effective until midnight. We argued and pevailed to move bikes to dealership (our destination). He then commented that a one month policy is not legal, that policies must at least a year. We are ignoring that for now.
If questions, gimme a holler.

Mike and Heather, in Bogota!
Haciendolo…

Hi Mike and Heather
I am in Panama shipping to Colombia next few days. What was price for bikes? I have R100GS which weights about 230 kg. What about COPA, not cheaper, not doing bikes now? How long in advance you have to book? Could you fly same day or next? Any better place to ship to as in Bogota, Cartegena, Medelin? Ha, so many questions and so little time. Bless you.

Larry Simpson, presently in western Panama visiting friends from Canada, heading to Panama city couple days. I am also checking on options for sailing by boat through San Blas Islands in contact with Wunderhostel folks.

Hi Mike,

I think we saw the both of you yesterday at the dealership (in the shop).
About the insurance, we purchased 3 months (the minimum) for Seguros del Estado without any problems. They have offices all over Colombia. We were asked to present insurance on one occasion (near Popayan) and the officer did not mention anything about the lenght of coverage.
One last thing, we did not get the vests and nobody ever gave us any grief despite riding past and being stopped at numerous checkpoints. They simply do not seem to care about the vests for tourists.

No muss, no fuss
 

Tried to contact Copa, no response. Called Girag and was told only need to get bike to them before 10am day before shipment. Cost independant of bike weight. $901.38/bike in cash only. Dropped off bikes, flew next morning, bikes there waiting before noon. Other destinations? Probably, but suggest you give them a call. Number is on their web site. We wanted to visit Bogota, which has been great. Also, was time for service and Edgar at Autogermana treated us like old friends, did all we asked and more, on the spot. Hope all goes as well for you!
See you on the road...
mr

I guess I will be at Girag tomorrow, assuming they are open Saturdays. Did you look at the boating option and give that idea up as inefficient and unpredictable, though cheaper?

Cheers
Larry Simpson, in Panama

yes, predictable
 

Yep, the reason we chose Girag was the promised (and delivered) one day shipment. You may have read before -- just go in the Carga gate (follow the signs when you get to the airport). As you ride into the traffic circle that surrounds the parking lot, their office is on your right. This is important: they only take cash, and once you get your airway bill, you need to go all the way back out to the entrance checkpoint for the cargo area with the airway bill and your passport and Panama entry docs and get the bike stamped out of the country, then return to Girag to drop off the bike. Ask them to call you a cab -- they're a bit scarce out there.

Once in Bogota, you can catch a cab if you have lots of luggage, but you're only traveling a few blocks. The Girag "bodega" (warehouse) is in a facility on your right as you leave the terminal. You get your docs from them and then have to cross the road to go to the aduana (customs) office and there...bring some patience. You may be there a while. And if you travel by Avianca (we did) treat yourself to a biz class ticket -- it's godawful snazzy and only $32 more than coach.

Happy trails!

Thanks much, Mike. That's all a big assist.
Cheers
Larry

I have had no luck with contacting Copa or Girag by email or phone. I will go directly to airport and just fine cargo offices. But today is Saturday and I assume customs offices are closed on weekends? Cargo offices presumably open? I am visiting Canadian friends on holiday at Playa Farallon 1.5 hours west of Panama City so still a bit to go.

Cheers
Larry

Miami Cartagena
 

There is another option for those crossing from the eastern U.S. to Colombia.
An agent have quoted me both air and sea shipment back in January 2010

The quote was based in crated enduro bike KLR or DS type (pretty much standard). Here are the details

Miami -Cartagena SEA SHIPPING latest Jan 2010
Anybody interested on SEA shipping RoRo a crated bike from MIAMI to CARTAGENA let me know I got a quote from my agent in Miami.
The quote is based on a regular KLR650, Suzuki DR650 or similar bike size in a box.
The bike should be taken to the seaport (can be arrange with the agent around $75 to $100 extra).

The calculated size of the box is a Crate 400 lbs 78inch long x38inch Hx30 inch W = 51 cft/1.45 m3

Shipping Freight $ 325.00 (price are good January 30th 2010)
Bill of Lading L $45.00
US VALIDATION $ 125.00
SED $ 45.00
-----------
Total $ 540.00

A similar quote for AIR SHIPPING is around $950 MIAMI-BOGOTA

Crating cost is not included. Storage & Delivery at the port by the agent
could be arranged at extra cost, no problem.
The bike shall be delivered at the port at least 72 hrs for custom validation.
An agent in Cartagena to be recommended later.

Let me know at
samericaxplorer@gmail.com

Just a FYI note: a KLR weighs more than 400 lbs even empty and unloaded. Mine weighed over 600 lbs as is when Copa weighed me in Panama City: five hard cases full of crap, plus guards and racks and all the rest. It's also far more than 30 inches wide and 38 high, but maybe if you disassemble thoroughly you can make it fit. Don't know if this matters to you (or anyone) at this point, but thought I'd point it out.

Mark

(from Puerto Varas, another pretty, friendly, expensive well-touristed Chilean town)

Did you recieve a contact for an agent in Cartagena? Looking to ship Colombia-Miami and interested in all options. Thanks!

Girag Panama S.A.
 

Hi, in Girag Panama, we have improved the service for you, you can check our web Page Girag Panamá S.A., Facebook @giragpty, Twitter @giragpty.

We are specialist on moving motorcycles from and to Bogota, we can arrange an Hotel room near to the airport with our special business price.

Any requirement just let me know.