Shipments done by Travellers

Be prepared to pay baksheesh in India for a quick customs clearance (up to $100us) or you may be waiting weeks.

...The bike was on the same plane as him, no crating required (unlike the palaver doing it through Thai Air from Kathmandu to Bangkok), and he was charged by weight rather than by volume. I believe the price was 33 Rupees/kg, which for him worked out at about US$160.

I can't verify all these facts of course, it being second-hand and to us, redundant info (we has already done it for twice the price), but it sounds worth trying, (until us overlanders are allowed to take our bikes through Myanmar and China, that is)

We had a great experience with Mr. Dhakal, as did Anke & Jan before us. We know of the problems that others had afterwards, but think it was out of Dhakal's hands -- he was getting all the m/c business, and his competitors were trying to hurt him.

- Crate size: 82Lx36Wx42H, or a volume weight of 339 kg/bike (= 678kg).
- $1.37/kg upto 500 kg (for 1 bike)
- $1.07/kg over 500 kg
- $0.08/kg handling.
- 4,500rupees ($68)/bike -- crating.
- 2,500rupees ($38)/bike -- svc charge.
- $220/person -- air ticket to Bangkok.

Total (with discount) was $1,365.00.

Leaving the UK in Feb 2000,after shipping my bike a H**** XR600 (no sponsorship- no mention!!!) by sea, at a most favourable rate thru Air Express Int. in London.
I flew into Buenos Aires to await its arrival after its four weeks on the water.

The expectations which I originally had about being subjected to hassles, backhanders, heavy customs duties, carnets, etc were all blown out as I had nothing but excellent treatment from all the Argentine administration.
The Customs were so brilliant that I could not believe how accommodating they were and this was the attitude which I found with the people both in city and countryside throughout my journey in Argentina.

"...how to get to Panama. (from Colombia) There is no ferry and no road...I found an unusual alternative: a sailing yacht.

I found a sailing yacht in the yacht club in Cartagena. The owner was in fact looking for passengers. In the clubhouse there (Nautico-club) on the notice board other travellers ask for transport. But it is better to ask the captains of the ships themselves, so you just walk along the boats. Very nice yacht harbour there. Price: the usual trip to the San Blas islands (=Panama) costs 185 dollars each person, excellent food, 5 days. That's what we paid as well.

But normally these trips don't bring you to Colon, but to an island. (the reason: they don't want to cross the border with these yachts) From there you have to pay extra for a flight to Colon/Panama City). We agreed with the captain of course to bring us to Colon, also because of the bike! First he asked 100 dollars to take the bike, later when he saw my BMW, he asked 200, we agreed for 150.

Because the wind is always coming from the Colombia side, he would not do this kind of transport the other way, too much waves. So from Cartagena to Panama it is an alternative to take a bike on a yacht. But you have to be lucky to find an owner who is willing to take you.

...The Cristobal-yacht club is where all the yacht owners go, but the Colon-yacht club (other side peninsula) is better for unloading the bike. "

Grant's comment: This is technically illegal, and unless you clear Panama Customs on landing, you may experience difficulties leaving Panama. Be clear with the captain that you will actually be going through Customs.

see Horizons Unlimited Newsletter - Dec 15/99 - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/newsletter/1999-12-15.shtml