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  #1  
Old 17 Jan 2015
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Shipping from U.S. / Canada to South Africa
Looking to ship my bike by air from U.S. or Canada to South Africa -- Cape Town or perhaps another destination if it makes sense.

By U.S. or Canada I mean Toronto, New York, Montreal, etc. -- east side of the continent.

Any experiences or insights?

There's one entry in the HU Shipping Database on a flight from Toronto to Cape Town, so thought I would throw this out there. Thanks ~~
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Old 19 Jan 2015
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Hi,
I flew my motorcycle from JHB to JFK with South African Airways (SAA) July 2014, Got it on the same flight that i was also on.
They have flights every day. also to Washington DC.
Cost was just under ZAR15000.00 (around $1300.00)

Kevin
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Old 19 Jan 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttr400 View Post
Hi,
I flew my motorcycle from JHB to JFK with South African Airways (SAA) July 2014, Got it on the same flight that i was also on.
They have flights every day. also to Washington DC.
Cost was just under ZAR15000.00 (around $1300.00)

Kevin
Awesome, thanks Kevin! Did you deal directly with the airline or use an agent?

Also wondering if bike needed to be crated or could you just use a pallet and tiedowns...?
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Old 19 Jan 2015
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I did it direct with the airline (SAA Cargo at OR Tambo JHB), i used an agent to do the customs paperwork cost was around $100.00.

Cleared it myself through customs at JFK, it was a doddle only took a couple of Hrs.

The bike was strapped down on a pallet (did this myself at the cargo drop off), supplied my own tie downs .they then wrapped it in bubble wrap and shrink wrap plastic, was around 6 "thick.!!

Note: if i did this again, i would supply my own pallet and strap it down before delivering to the airport.

Cost was priced by weight.
I was allowed to keep some gear in my luggage.
Had a round 2 lt's of fuel in the tank.
Disconnected the battery.

I would say contact SAA cargo at JFK or Washington DC.

Hope this helps.

Kevin
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Old 19 Jan 2015
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Thanks again. The price and process are both great. Didn't realize South African Airways ran cargo internationally.

I shipped from Cape Town to JFK in 2009 via KLM about the same way, affordably and pretty easily -- but I wasn't on the same plane as the bike, as you were.
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Old 20 Jan 2015
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No Problem, hope it works out for your trip.

On the same trip i also flew my bike from Vancouver with motorcycle express to Frankfurt.

My bike is now in the UK, will be heading back in June when the weather is better for another couple of months before flying it back to JHB. SAA also do regular flight to/from London.

Kevin
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Old 26 Jan 2015
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Contacted South Africa Airways Cargo in the U.S. Extremely helpful and knowlegeable rep told me it's not possible to ship a motorbike from the U.S. in the belly of a South Africa Airways flight. Prohibited by TSA regulations, he said. Evidently you can ship into U.S. in a passenger airliner belly, but not out...?... hmmmm.

Anyhow, he gave me 5 or 6 contacts at freight forwarders to pursue. Will see how it shapes out, any ideas or insights are welcome...
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Old 29 Jan 2015
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That's a pity. did some searching and according to motorcycle express they now only fly bikes out of Canada for this reason with the TSA regs.

Good luck. If you do get down my way let me know.

kevin
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