From Montevideo, Uruguay to Seattle, United States - June, 2005

More details can be seen on my web page, but here is the gist of it. On Ruta 40, met a guy who worked for SwissAir Cargo in Buenos Aires. He helped me get in touch with the Uruguay office (above).

I was trying to get the bike to Vancouver, or close to it. Shipping to the port of New York was 165 a cubic meter, and to Seattle was 185 a cubic meter, a good deal I thought. The crate went to NYC by sea, and then by truck to Seattle.

I took the Greyhound bus from Vancouver to Seattle ($25), arriving at 10:30. A $18 cab ride got me to the freight offices. I needed to get a customs stamp (5 minutes away by taxi), and the crate was released. I got the forklift guy to put me in a corner, and an hour later the bike was together. No damage in shipping. Battery was dead, got a boost from the forklift and back in Vancouver at 9pm that day.

Here are the fees:(all prices in USD)
THC $70.75
Stripping $35.37
Documentation $55.00
Chasis $8.49
Security Fee $25.00
Ocean Freight $523.55 (for 2.83 cubic meters)
B/L Fee $65.00
PBIP Charge $15.00
Handling $65.00
In-Out fee Seattle warehouse $45.00
Disposal of crate Seattle warehouse $35.00

I was able to pay on the receiving end (didn't have to pay anything in Montevideo, except for customs brokers clearance $USD300, cash only. He wanted $350 - his info: Gerardo Mendez Moure, email gmen...@despachante.com.uy Phone 916 85 05. His office is by the port Peidras 271, office 102). I was not able to do this process by myself, on account that a broker is needed to get the account with the shipping line (IFS Neutral Maritime Services in my case). I needed to send a money order to IFS in New York before the shipment would be released in Seattle. IN Seattle I had to pay the $80 by cash or cheque only.

I managed to get the base of a crate from the BMW dealer in Montevideo. I drove around looking for carpenters and after the crate was assembled, we took all the peices back to the BMW shop and used their warehouse to put the moto in the box. The reason being is they had a forklift to load the crate onto the truck to take it to the port. You must bring the crate to the port on one of these special licenced trucks, you cannot enter the port area with a private vehicle.

Transit time was quoted at between 30 -35 days. Actually took May 26 - July 25. Almost 2 months. One of the problems was that in NYC, the crate was randomly (?) selected for not one but two Xray screenings, and that pushed things back a bit.

***************************************************
Here are some quotes for alternate locations:
Montevideo/Seattle
Transit Time: 35 days
Ocean Freight: Usd 185 x w/m
Drayage Usd 25 x w/m

Docs. Fee: Usd 65 x shpt

PBIP - Carrier Fees Usd 15 x shpt

Warehouse Handling Usd 65 x shpt

Montevideo/Toronto
Transit Time: 31 days
Ocean Freight: Usd 165 x w/m
Drayage Usd 25 x w/m

Docs. Fee: Usd 65 x shpt

PBIP - Carrier Fees Usd 15 x shpt

Warehouse Handling Usd 65 x shpt

Note:

1.00 tn = 1.00 Cbm

Air Movement
Montevideo/Vancouver
Transit Time: 4 days
Air Freight Rate: Usd 3.33 x Chargeable Weight
Fuel Surcharge Usd 0.40 x Chargeable Weight
Security Fee: Usd 0.10 x Chargeable Weight
DGR Fee: Usd 180
Due Carrier: Usd 45
Airport entrance. Usd 95
Warehouse Fee: Usd 75

Note: 1.00 cbm = 167 Kgs

Custom Clearence Charges.

Customs Charges Fee: Usd 180 + IVA (23% VAT TAX)

Custom Brooker Fee Usd 160 + IVA (23% VAT TAX)

Law 16134 Usd 60 + IVA (23% VAT TAX)

Port TAX Fee Usd 25 x weight.

Transport to port or Airport Usd 60

That's all the info that we can obtain. Unfortunatly, here in Uruguay we don't have more options to send shpts to Canada.

I hoep that this info can assist you.

Brgds

Luis Gustavo Jarr