From San Jose, Costa Rica to Vancouver, Canada - July, 2014

After trolling through countless HU posts in order to get inspired and get ready for a trip from Vancouver BC to Costa Rica, it's time to give back. Although this is a cautionary tale more then a recommendation, it's good to get this information out there and hope that others can learn from my mistakes.

After connecting with numerous shipping companies through CA, we decided that EcaTrans (San Jose, Costa Rica) had the best service and seemed to understand completely what we were after. Mostly, we wanted the bikes crated and consolidated with other small orders to help off set the overall cost. 

After sending over our bikes (01 and 11 KLRs) measurements, weights and general time of arrival (beginning of July 2014) we received a "door to door" quote of $2000USD. The quote broke down the expected fees, one of the largest being $700 for individual crating of the bikes. Estimated time of arrival was one and a half months later. The only thing I would have to do is arrange for pick up from the port in Vancouver, not a problem for a pick up truck owner with a trailer. This sounded like a great price and would allow myself and kiwi buddy lots of time to putter around CA and get the bikes back in time for some late summer rides.

Smashcut to us dropping off a big fat certified cheque and two KLRs, shaking Anthony's (EcaTrans) hand and heading to the airport to meet our girlfriends for 2 more weeks of fun in the sun. Done and done, what a relief, bikes are gone, girls are here, amazing trip...........

About 3 days before we leave, we receive an email from Anthony stating that the crates were completed, the bikes were nice and secure but there was one slight problem. During crate construction, the fellas forgot their measuring tape at home and decided to wing it, in doing so, our crates were made too big to get into the consolidated shipping crate and they would have to be sent on their own. OK, no problem we respond. But he'd also need another $1400USD or the bikes wouldn't be going anywhere. 

Oh, I see....Almost double the amount. What were the other options for us? We were $2000 in and couldn't exactly arrange for shipping with another company from opposite end of the country. After a couple very angry emails, his mistake costs us, racking the bill up to $3400, ouch. Not that thrilled considering we'd been travelling for 3.5 months and didn't have much left in the savings account. 

Another hefty check deposited into EcaTrans accoutn and we were off back home.

Next email. Sept.1. Ship has been delayed

Next email. Sept 15. Ship has been delayed.

Oct. 5th. Got an email from receiving agent in Vancouver, ship has arrived (2 months late) but need to wait for customs clearance. 

After getting notice the container had arrived, I went down to Canadian Customs and arranged for a Soil Test ($45) to be done on the motorcycles. This was paid for and the next step was wait for a call from customs.

I was anxious about recieving the call because the agent had informed me that I got ten free days of storage, after that there were fees for each day that crate sat there. 

Eight days later and I got the call stating that bikes were good to go (thankfully both bikes were giving a big cleanup before we shipped them out). 

But first we had to settle up with the receiving company. Somewhere along the way we able to rack up $1200 in fees. ie: administration fee, demurrage fee, reservation fee, you get the idea. What could we do again? After pleading my case for the "door to door" quote we recieved way back when, nothing could be done but pay up....again. 

Loaded up the truck and trailer. Off to go get the bikes!! After paying and additional $75 for a forlift to lift the crates onto the trailer we went out back to see the crates. Nope, no crates, just 2 KLRs sitting there with 1/4" couch cushioning, duct tape and bubble wrap, yes I dare say bubble wrap all over them. Oh, OK, they had taken the bikes out of the crates, no big deal. Nope. I was informed by the warehouse guy he couldn't believe the bikes were still sitting upright after being merely tied down into the corner of the shipping crate with twine. Hmmmmm, I certainly remember the crates were too big to fit in Costa Rica, and most certainly remember paying $700 USD for "building wooden crates for the bikes to be secured in". A call and email to Anthony in Costa Rica was not returned, not surprising.  

But at the end of the day, the bikes arrived safe and sound (besides the shippers removing our unsealed batteries and putting them on their sides, spilling acid all over my bike). so at least the shipping ordeal was over...........

About 5 days later another email arrived from the receiving agent with another invoice attached. This one was for $575USD for demurrage fees!!!! After speaking with the agent she informed me that she mistakenly advised me that I had 10 free days of storage when actually we only had 5 and now we had to cough up the difference. Not likely since we had the bikes free and clear.

So, in closing lessons to be learned from this experience.

1. Go to Customs Canada prior to vessel arrival at port and pay for Soil Test.

2. Quotes aren't worth the paper they're printed on, more of a starting point.

3. Once they have your bike it's up to them when you get it.

4. Try and source out a tried and tested shipping company or from what I hear, BMW has a good way of sending bikes overseas. 

5. Ride the bike back and avoid all shipping costs!

Hope this helped, good luck and safe riding! See ya out there

Ando