There is another shipping method, crate your bike up and use a freight forwarding service. Your crate will be combined in a container with other cargo. Go with an established service, one that has offices in Chile and the port where your cargo is loaded. This saves a bit of money and insures that your cargo is well tracked. There is a fair amount of paperwork, so at some point an agent is key to getting your bike out of customs. Perhaps the agent will work for the freight forwarder. I work in the sea container industry but am not familiar with all of the details, sorry.

Shipping by air is fast, but generally more expensive. Sea cargo is far older, paperwork intensive and as Grant Johnson will tell you, they have a charge for everything. Don't be surprised to see "dangerous goods" on your manifest or bill of lading. All kinds of cargo falls under that category and remember the bike has lots of flammable components. Even brand new bikes are considered dangerous goods...

Working out the timing is key. If you ship too far in advance, then you will pay storage fee (demurrage.) Shipping lines typically give some days of free storage. Ship too late and you'll be waiting for the boat to arrive on the other end.

On the other hand, buying a bike in Chile (which I don't recommend, as I like to ride a familiar bike and hate the idea of buying a major item that is key to my adventure with challenges to the process built in... ) is well documented here on the HUBB.

Final thought. In a few weeks you can ride from the US to Panama, then another couple of weeks ride from Colombia to Chile...if you don't stop and hang out too much. Just sayin' Ah, but if you are on a budget, then ship your bike direct or have your friends buy one for you.

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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride