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When did shipping get so expensive ?? When did shipping get so expensive ??
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Trip Transport Shipping the vehicle and yourself.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 2 Sep 2014
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
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When did shipping get so expensive ??
HOLEY MOLEY..

I've been collecting some quotes to try and get my bike to Buenos Aires from the UK.

£1500 plus £250 clearance is what I'm getting. £1700....

In 2007, it cost me £650 plus about £200 in clearing.

What happened ??????????
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  #2  
Old 3 Sep 2014
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Sounds about right. No clue to the cause of the big price rise ... other than "Because They Can".

I've seen a lot of rates posted on forums, then someone will claim they can get a bike from EU to B.A. for $1000 USD. No idea how.

Maybe rates are better from a Euro port? Isn't there a Ro-Ro that goes over?
Try Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Le Harve. Also, going to Brazil may be cheaper than B.A.

Other option is a shared container.

Good luck, I look forward to reading responses here.
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  #3  
Old 3 Sep 2014
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I think if you're prepared to sail from a port in the arse end of nowhere to a port in an equally crap place, you can get it for $1000. But by the time you've got to that port and left the other one you're probably on the same money.

Bikes sold by travellers used to be dirt cheap in south America. Jeeez, people used to give them away. Now everyone wants crazy money. Probably because they know shipping is so expensive...
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  #4  
Old 3 Sep 2014
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Can't speak for Europe, but here in the States, when fuel prices hit around $4/gallon, shipping prices went up like a whore's hemline. Most of our product is moved by truck
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Old 3 Sep 2014
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Look up PDP freight services in the UK - PDP Freight Services .. ask for Malcolm, tell him Gwyn sent you. Cost us 1000 EURO from London to Chile. (plus destination costs) for a 20ft container

They have been the cheapest agent in the UK for us


Expect to be stung at destination. They screw you for all kinds of storage and whatever other fees they can


The Overlanders

Hope that helps and saves you some money
Gwyn
The Overlanders
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  #6  
Old 3 Sep 2014
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G'day Ted,

Seriously consider buying a bike in the US. Shipping as you've just realised is just wasted time not to mention the cost of a carnet, a shite load of cash! You don't need a carnet in South America for US registered bikes. K'n bewdy mate!

Cheap good bikes are plentiful in the US. Registering a bike in Arizona couldn't be easier (it took me 10 minutes flat) or cheaper for that matter, have contacts Flying into the US is going to be cheaper and quicker than going to South America from the UK as well.

Knowing you'd keep it in good nic and improve it, you'd pass it on easily enough, not only that you'd have wheels till it sold! IMHO mate, a no brainer!

Start looking here.

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Cheers Dave
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Old 3 Sep 2014
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Because RTW travelling by bike has become very popular and those who pay it, have probably not questioned the cost, so now it's become the norm...
We are the creators of our own fate.
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  #8  
Old 3 Sep 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drwnite View Post
G'day Ted,

Seriously consider buying a bike in the US. Shipping as you've just realised is just wasted time not to mention the cost of a carnet, a shite load of cash! You don't need a carnet in South America for US registered bikes. K'n bewdy mate!

Cheap good bikes are plentiful in the US. Registering a bike in Arizona couldn't be easier (it took me 10 minutes flat) or cheaper for that matter, have contacts Flying into the US is going to be cheaper and quicker than going to South America from the UK as well.

Knowing you'd keep it in good nic and improve it, you'd pass it on easily enough, not only that you'd have wheels till it sold! IMHO mate, a no brainer!

Start looking here.

Searchcraigslist.net - Search Craigslist, Search All Of Craigslist - Every want to search all of Craigslist links in one place? Now you can with Craigslist search

Cheers Dave

That does make sense mate... I've thought about that option quite a bit. Not sure if it fits into my timeline though. I need to make my mind up soon though.



Quote:
Originally Posted by pheonix View Post
Because RTW travelling by bike has become very popular and those who pay it, have probably not questioned the cost, so now it's become the norm...
We are the creators of our own fate.
Ain't that the truth. The same idiots who throw up cash over a touratech catalogue and stupid £20,00 adventure bikes throw equal money, unquestioned at shipping companies.

It has more than doubled in price in six years... You can't blame that on inflation and fuel duty.
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  #9  
Old 4 Sep 2014
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How about flying it?
I don't know about South America or the US, but flying my bike from North Africa to the UK was a lot cheaper than sticking it in a boat, and the airport costs were also less than seaport costs. Just a thought.
Last edited by schenkel; 4 Sep 2014 at 14:50.
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Old 4 Sep 2014
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IMO, that's not a bad idea! Break the bike down to a small package ... both wheels off, handlebars off, fenders off. Build a very small crate and put it on a Lufthansa Air Cargo 747. The dangerous goods clause may be a roadblock?

When I was in S. America many years ago, Lufthansa was the BEST to deal with. Now? No idea, but they're a very well run company.
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Old 4 Sep 2014
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
That does make sense mate... I've thought about that option quite a bit. Not sure if it fits into my timeline though. I need to make my mind up soon though.
Sell the NX put the proceeds towards a bike in the US. Start looking and talking, book a ticket, hand over the dosh. Head for Arizona, Mexico, Panama and start looking for a boat, any boat! Job done! You might even make a quid if you sold it in the Americas given the going rates!
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Old 4 Sep 2014
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500 euros Rotterdam to Paramaribo, what I heard. Why mess around? Complaining saps you of vital energy.
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Old 4 Sep 2014
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Then I might as well buy a bike in Alaska and start there..

Moaning is great. It's goes well with my morning coffee
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  #14  
Old 4 Sep 2014
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The days when you could take it as hand luggage have long gone

Would it be cheaper if you broke it down and posted it as a crate as spare parts? The Chinese seem to be able to get ebay stuff here for next to nothing.
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Old 4 Sep 2014
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If you remove the battery fuel n oil from the bike then will be allowed to cargo by air.
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