Los Angeles to Buenos Aires

[supergringo]

Hi All,
In January of 2010 I am hoping to ship my KLR 650 from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires.

I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have on potential shipping methods, costs, contacts or other relevant advice.

After shipping the bike to Buenos Aires, it's off to TDF, then a long drive home to Los Angeles.

Thanks in advance!

Jason

[supergringo]

FYI, I corresponded with the following company and I am curious to hear if anyone has experience with them:

APX HUB OPS x 116
LCL Ocean Documentation
International Shipping Worldwide Freight Forwarder International Moving Shipping Rates
Air Parcel Express, Inc.
FMC NVOCC 019153NF
TSA / F.A.A. / I.A.C.
Founder of the Global MAX Network
Member of the BBB, TIA, WWPC and US Chamber of Commerce
Licensed and Bonded Ocean Transportation Intermediary O.T.I.
Licensed and Bonded Ocean Freight Forwarder
877-597-0258 TOLL FREE TEL
877-597-0259 TOLL FREE FAX
305-597-0258 TEL
305-592-0266 FAX

(specifically this person)
Grisele
877-597-0258 x 103
rates@shipping-worldwide.com
http://www.freight-calculator.com/ca..._bconfirm.html

and got the following quote for shipping via boat:

> R A T I N G D E T A I L S
>
> Ocean Port to Port Rates from LosAngeles To Buenos Aires [ Americas ]
>
> CARGO DESCRIPTION
> Group #1:
> Calculation Based On Goods of Size 72" x 36" x 48"
> Total Cubic Meters 2.04 CBM / Total Volume Weight 749.49 lb or 339.97 kgs.
> Quantity: 1
> PARTICULARS
> VALUE
> RATE
> AMOUNT
> Freight
> 2.04 CBM
> $174.00
> $354.96
> Bill of Lading
> 2.04 CBM
>
> $50.00
> Bunker Surcharge (Fuel)
> 2.04 CBM
> $10.00
> $20.40
> Handling Fees
> 2.04 CBM
> $45.00
> $91.80
> GRI Charges
> 2.04 CBM
>
> $0.00
> Filing Fee
>
>
> $15.00
> Insurance Charges
> (Type Of Goods: Commercial / Industrial Goods)
> $6,000.00
>
> $45.00
> Shipper's Export Declaration
> (Over $2,500.00)
> $6,000.00
>
> $50.00
> Total
> US $627.16

[supergringo]

So, my initial findings show that shipping via boat takes about a month and will cost me around $600.

Does anyone have insight on this process that they can share?

Is it necessary to work with someone in Argentina to import the bike? If so, how does one find such a person?

How does shipping via boat compare to air in terms of timing, cost and dependability?

Thanks

[MikeS]

If your Spanish isn't too hot, your best bet is to hire Sandra at Dakar Motos in BsAs, she sorted out our bikes when we arrived. However, if you can speak Spanish pretty well, you could do this yourself.

[bmwroadrider]

I am planning on heading to Argentina in October and am also curios about shipping and importing a bike.

Cheers

[supergringo]

I got this advice on a different site (advrider):

"From LA it is easy. Just contact a freight forwarder (I used Schumacher Cargo Logistics - Steve Haritani) and they can do the rest.

Once you get outbound set up, check with the Felipe Serrano Solar agency in Santiago to help you get it out of the shipper's warehouse and through customs. This is fairly painless but it is REALLY nice to have a local walk you through. Ask for Ryan Dougherty there - he is their best english speaker. They are GREAT folks."

[supergringo]

MikeS,
Could you describe how you got your bike to Argentina? Sorry to ask an elementary question, but I am curious if you went via boat or airplane. Also, did you use a freight company to interact with the shippers?

Any help would be appreciated.