From Delhi, India to Bangkok, Thailand - July, 2001

We went to Aqua Travels and we were told the rate was about 50 INR/kg but he was not really sure about this price and additional costs. Asking around learned us that Air India was the cheapest at 35 INR/kg and we were told they charge per kg only.

When we delivered the 3 bikes on Saturday we were told they charge volumic kg as well but didn't need crates. We measured the bikes when the steers and front wheels would be removed and this volume came below the actual weight for all 3 bikes so they charged us finally per actual kg.

All the payments have to be made at the airport so I'll advise to skip the agent and go straight to the airport.

Air India fly on tuesday and friday to Bangkok.

The costs:Rate bikes:
Cargo 732kg x 35 INR/kg = INR 25620
Fuel surcharge 732kg x 1.5 INR/kg = INR 1098
Airwaybill = INR 150
Documentation fee = INR 300
Dangerous goods USD 75 (per shipment) = INR 3375
Total paid to Air India = INR 30543 (= USD 650)

Cust. handl. dang. goods 732kg x 1.22 INR/kg = INR 893 (= USD 19)

In Bangkok
> Delivery order fee 200 Baht
> Storage fee (dangerous import) 937 Baht
> Terminal charge (Dangerous import) 732 Baht
> Sub total 1869 Baht
> 7% VAT 131 Baht
> Total 2000 Baht (= USD 44)

Shipping all bikes on one AWB saves money as eg. the dangerous goods surcharge is charged per shipment. We only faced huge problems when picking up the bikes in Bangkok as the shipment was on 1 name and the carnets on 3 different names. (Others had no problem with this in Bangkok at all!) But this is easy to overcome when all names are mentioned on the Airway bill!

We flew with Indian Airlines a couple of hours after the bikes and walked straight to the cargo building after arrival (8am). Loads of paperwork (worse than India!!!) and we rolled the bikes out the depot at 4.15pm.