I`m traveling to Panama in May next year. Once I will get there I would like to ship the bike back to NJ, USA. Has somebody done it yet? Any shipping companies to contact with?

The guy I am traveling with in Mexico right now wants to ship his bike back to the USA from Panama later this month and is looking for recommendations. DHL was suggested, but they haven''t answered his email.

Keep me posted please how did you make it out.

I just shipped my bike from Brazil to Panama and it had to go through Miami, so there are air carriers that do this. American Airlines, and Copa have air cargo service to Miami. There are several air cargo companies that also do it. Arrow Air is one, and there are others but I don't remember the names. I would start by contacting Copa in Panama. I used them to ship to Colombia and the service was very good. At least on that route they don't require that the bike be crated, which was very convenient. Don't know if it is the same for the US.

__________________
Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama

We contacted COPA about Panama to the US and they responded that a motorcycle shipment to the USA requires a pure cargo aircraft, which they do not send to the USA. They suggested DHL...

["borrowed"/ forwarded from, with thanks to
BMW MOA - View Single Post - Motorcycle Air Transport to Europe]

http://www.servicarga.com.pa/es/eng/index.php based in Panama
Alfredo Amaya
Shipper Contact person email amaya.alfredo@servicarga.com.pa
Shipper Tel 223-1144 Fax 264-2301

Note if the bike is leaving Panama it will be shipped by Fed X so check with Fed X first to see if they ship to Panama with Servicarga as the recipient. You will have to crate your bike for the journey, and prepare your bike from disconnecting battery cables to little or no gas onboard etc etc which is up to the shipper.

Your shipping crate in Panama could be sold to a traveler shipping north so when you are checking out see if someone is checking in or establish a contact and help someone out.

http://www.girag.com/e_about.htm they ship many bikes over the Darien Gap but also ship bikes other places.

Panama Contacts

Antonio Cabazas' bike shop is located in the financial district in Panama City. He was also the President of the APM (Association of Panamanian Motorcyclists). Antonio has contacts to get anything done and helps getting one out of tough situations. Contact Info:
N8 59.557 W79 31.292
email for Antonio Cabatony@cableonda.net

Casa De Carmen is a great hostel five doors down from Antiono's shop. This hostel has all the amenities for overlanders.
Contact Info:
Casa De Carmen
N8 59.603 W79 31.258
Telephone: +507 263 4366



BMW Panama City - Bavarian Motors
Address: Edificio BMW Calle 50 y 65
N8 59.385 W79 30.715

If in the dealership and you need a great English speaker go the car section and ask for Armando. He helps travelers and loves motorcycles.

Their Chief Mechanic Luis is very helpful.
Luis' work phone +507 301 5400

[no personal experience] Local info provided by friends that were there within a year or so.