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Trip Transport Shipping the vehicle and yourself.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 4 Nov 2011
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Try to get a quote in a harbour at the docks directly. Freight companies usually have a bit of empty space in their containers, which they are glad to fill up for a fairly cheap price. In this cas you'll have to do all the paperwork yourself plus crating the bikes.

Normally a "freight forwarder" does all this work for you, but charges a much higher price - like the prices you quoted.

Regarding southern Africa:
Don't forget to organise a carnet!
A wealth of information can be found here: Wild Dog Adventure Riding - Index Via the Wilddog Bike forum you'll find members all over S.A. and NAM.
BMW Pretoria is another meeting point for bikers, regardless of the make of their bike.

Have fun
Hans
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Old 4 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vaufi View Post
Try to get a quote in a harbour at the docks directly. Freight companies usually have a bit of empty space in their containers, which they are glad to fill up for a fairly cheap price. In this cas you'll have to do all the paperwork yourself plus crating the bikes.

Normally a "freight forwarder" does all this work for you, but charges a much higher price - like the prices you quoted.

Regarding southern Africa:
Don't forget to organise a carnet!
A wealth of information can be found here: Wild Dog Adventure Riding - Index Via the Wilddog Bike forum you'll find members all over S.A. and NAM.
BMW Pretoria is another meeting point for bikers, regardless of the make of their bike.

Have fun
Hans
You don't need a carnet for the countries he is going to.
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  #3  
Old 4 Nov 2011
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Apparently yes. I checked the SARS (SA Revenue Services) site. It says:


Motor vehicles imported on a temporary basis

Motor vehicles used in South Africa by tourists may be imported under rebate of duty and exempt from VAT for a period of three months; this may be extended to six months (however, it may be subject to a provisional payment being made to Customs to secure the VAT on importation either in part or in full). After a period of six months the motor vehicles must be re-exported.


But this site also says:

DUTY-FREE TEMPORARY IMPORTATION
South Africa acceded to the ATA convention in 1975. Foreign visitors
(companies and individuals) can therefore approach their local Chambers
of Commerce for advice regarding the issuing of an ATA Carnet for the
temporary importation of certain goods in a simplified method.

Temporary importation of vehicles and other articles (for tourists
and travellers resident in foreign countries)
Please ensure that you have the relevant clearance document for the
vehicle i.e. Carnets, permits, etc., if applicable.

I suppose the carnet makes things much easier, but they do cost a fortune. Something like 150 €.
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Old 4 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vaufi View Post
Apparently yes. I checked the SARS (SA Revenue Services) site. It says:


Motor vehicles imported on a temporary basis

Motor vehicles used in South Africa by tourists may be imported under rebate of duty and exempt from VAT for a period of three months; this may be extended to six months (however, it may be subject to a provisional payment being made to Customs to secure the VAT on importation either in part or in full). After a period of six months the motor vehicles must be re-exported.


But this site also says:

DUTY-FREE TEMPORARY IMPORTATION
South Africa acceded to the ATA convention in 1975. Foreign visitors
(companies and individuals) can therefore approach their local Chambers
of Commerce for advice regarding the issuing of an ATA Carnet for the
temporary importation of certain goods in a simplified method.

Temporary importation of vehicles and other articles (for tourists
and travellers resident in foreign countries)
Please ensure that you have the relevant clearance document for the
vehicle i.e. Carnets, permits, etc., if applicable.

I suppose the carnet makes things much easier, but they do cost a fortune. Something like 150 €.
I was there 6 months ago and there were plenty of people without carnets in those countries. You get your import at the borders. In fact, I'm pretty sure you only need one import permit as they are in a kind of customs agreement in Southern African countries.

I had a carnet as I came all the way through from Europe but I really wouldn't bother if I was just in the South. In fact, if it wasn't for Egypt and Sudan, you wouldn't need a carnet for Africa at all.

Does it make it easier !!! Possibly.....
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  #5  
Old 5 Nov 2011
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The five southern countries in fact do have a tax and customs agreement, I was told. That's why it's so easy to travel around the south from one country to the other.

In 2006 the SA embassy in Munich told me that a carnet was definitely required for my bike. And the first thing the customs offiicer asked for at the airport was the carnet. I supposed coming overland to SA, the border control isn't as fussy as at the ports.
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Old 5 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vaufi View Post
The five southern countries in fact do have a tax and customs agreement, I was told. That's why it's so easy to travel around the south from one country to the other.

In 2006 the SA embassy in Munich told me that a carnet was definitely required for my bike. And the first thing the customs offiicer asked for at the airport was the carnet. I supposed coming overland to SA, the border control isn't as fussy as at the ports.
The law at the port is the same at the border. They will ask for a carnet because that is what they're used to.

It really isn't required.

A carnet is simpler once you're there but seems a big waste of time and money.
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