From Sydney, Australia to Buenos Aires, Argentina - September, 2009

Of all the companies I contacted for quotes, C.T.Freight was the cheapest, and Wade seemed more clued up than anyone else about the process.
In order to avoid hazardous shipment charges, I needed to disconnect both battery leads and insulate the terminals. In addition I had to completely empty the fuel tank, and clean it out. I did both these myself, rinsing the tank with isopropyl alcohol. They required a signed letter stating that this been done - I wrote one myself. I doubt if they actually checked, because they didn't ask to either see the battery, or for me to open the filler cap - maybe I have an honest face!
I got a used BMW crate from Procycles in Hornsby. When I went to collect it the guy hit me with a AUD50 price tag.
My bike is an F800GS, and in order to minimise the volumetric weight I cut it down by about 3/4. This was a risky option because according to ISPM15 regualations, you can re-use treated crates, but only if they haven't been modified. I was careful to ensure the IPSM15 marks remained in the correct places, and that all the writing on the cardboard sides looked in the right places. The evenentual volumetric weight came in at about 260Kg, but on the scales the actual weight was 290Kg, which is what I paid for. The shippers made no mention of the modified crate.
I took out transit insurance with Wayne Parry Insurance Brokers (way...@wparry.com.au). This cost AUD191.
In B.A.I procured the services of the wonderful Sandra from Dakar Motos for USD200. This was fortunate, because the bike shipped on the same flight as me, so I had to collect it the day after my arrival, and I was a bit vague from jet lag. She also got me advance insurance which is necessary at the airport (but not at the docks). Insurance cost 40 pesos per month.
Costs for customs clearance were 373 pesos to the airline (which had to paid in cash, but they accepted USD), 275 pesos import duties, and 100 pesos taxi fare to transport Sandra and myself there.
I had removed front wheel and handlebars for crating, and they allowed me to rebuild the bike in the customs warehouse, whilst Sandra did the paperwork. This took about 2 hours. Sandra got me 5 litres of petrol from the nearby service station and I rode away.
Oh, and I also arranged a tip of 50 pesos to a guy in the warehouse, who was very helpful with manhandling my bike. I thought this would be good for future bikers in a similar situation. Sandra knows all the people there and it went very smoothly.