From Vancouver, Canada to Johannesburg, South Africa - August, 2006

My crate = 31" x 43" x 88"
Cubic volume of 2.054
Gross weight 350kgs

Trucked my crate from Edmonton, Alberta to Vancouver (additional $200)

Sailings were weekely, routing from Vancouver to Singapore to JHB. Insurance was unable to procure unless the crate was packed by a professional crating company. My crate was a metal framed Suzuki one with heavy cardboard on all sides including top. Not possible to see the contents from the outside.

Sailing time is 45 days, although 10% over is normal. Keep in mind you have 3 free day storage on the recieving end, then it is (in this case) about $20 per day storage fees (cash only).

No issues with the shipper - well communicated and in fact my shipment was early into JHB.

Arriving in JHB, the receiving agent Jonen Freight has the office by the airport. Go their first, pay the recieving charges= $250. Because the shipment came by ocean, we had to go to the main customs office in the city to get the paperwork done. This is 30 minutes drive from Jonen. Three wrong addresses later, we get to the customs (SARS)office. It is in the basement of the Carlton Market, which is beside the Carlton Hotel, which everybody knows about. You must make an appointment to have a customs agent go check the vehicle number. You also have to pick him up at thier office, drive him to where your crate is, check the number, and drive him back to his office. His time is $10 per hour. He will stamp the carnet. Most container companies are located in the City Deep neigborhood. 10 minutes from downtown. Mondays and Fridays is standstill traffic with trucks in this area. Avoid those days if possible. Also, it would be wise to find out where your crate is BEFORE picking up the customs guys as it is easy to get lost in there.
I chose to do the clearance myself, but if you got your agent to do it, all this running around I would assume would be easier. No idea what this costs. If you do not have a car or friends to help you drive around, it will be easier to allow the agent to clear the bike.
No real issues on either end.